The County Government of Kisumu has called on SACCO officials to take the lead in encouraging members to acquire affordable housing units as a long‑term investment, saying the initiative will empower cooperatives and strengthen their membership base.
Speaking during World Cooperatives Day celebrations in Kisumu, County Executive Member for Trade, Tourism, Industry and Marketing Farida Salim said the housing programme is designed to meet the needs of all income levels, offering members a secure pathway to wealth creation, Salim emphasized that the county is working closely with the National Government and development partners to expand opportunities for cooperative societies..
She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening the cooperative movement as a vehicle for social transformation, citing the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) as one of the most significant interventions. Through the programme, cooperatives have been empowered to operate as vibrant business enterprises capable of delivering quality services to their members.
Among the achievements realized, Salim highlighted the development of a Cooperative Policy for Kisumu County, which provides a unique operational framework tailored to local needs. She said NAVCDP has strengthened farmer cooperatives through capacity building in governance, financial management, leadership, business planning, and value addition.
The programme has also mobilized and registered producer organizations, enabling more farmers to participate in structured markets. Priority agricultural value chains promoted under NAVCDP include dairy, poultry, aquaculture, rice, sorghum, indigenous vegetables, and other climate‑smart enterprises suited to Kisumu’s environment.
Salim noted that farmers now enjoy improved access to certified inputs, modern farming technologies, and extension services, leading to higher productivity. Support for aggregation and collective marketing has enabled farmers to negotiate better prices and reduce exploitation by middlemen.
She revealed that 34 cooperatives have benefited from inclusion grants worth KSh30 million, while an additional KSh9.75 million has been availed for agricultural loans to six cooperatives. “The project has further promoted financial inclusion by linking cooperatives and producer organizations with financial institutions and affordable credit facilities,” she said.
ALSO READ:
Stima Sacco unveils new credit policies to boost member financial flexibility
Salim added that women, youth, and persons with disabilities have increasingly taken part in cooperative leadership and agricultural enterprises. Climate‑smart agriculture has also been encouraged through sustainable practices that improve resilience to climate change, while market linkages and value addition initiatives have boosted farmer incomes.
“These achievements demonstrate that when government, cooperatives, and development partners work together, meaningful transformation can be achieved,” she said.
Despite the progress, Salim acknowledged challenges such as inadequate capitalization, weak governance, limited adoption of technology, fluctuating market prices, and the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity. She said the county’s focus moving forward will be on strengthening cooperative governance, promoting digital transformation, supporting value addition, expanding access to affordable financing, and empowering young people to view cooperatives as viable enterprises.
“The future of cooperatives lies in innovation, accountability, and strong partnerships. We encourage every cooperative society to embrace transparency, professionalism, and sound financial management to build members’ confidence and attract investment,” she said.
Salim urged cooperative leaders to serve members with integrity and commitment, lauding the National Government, development partners, cooperative unions, financial institutions, extension officers, and members whose dedication continues to transform lives across Kisumu County.
By Fredrick Odiero
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
