County Government of Laikipia

The asset base of Laikipia Cooperatives societies hit a high of Kshs 6.3 billion in 2020, demonstrating the movement's resilience amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

The county has a total of 195 active Cooperatives operating in the financial sector, transport, and marketing sectors comprising Boda Boda, women, farmers, jua kali, and youth SACCOs.

Due to the involvement of many citizens in cooperative societies, the county government has put various interventions to assist smooth operations. The department has assisted various cooperatives in capacity building, facilitating registration, and enhancing governance to promote transparency.

The County Government of Laikipia has been stimulating the economy to cushion enterprises from the adverse effects of the pandemic through the provision of affordable loans.

Opportunities

The Department of Trade, Tourism, and Cooperatives has also been advancing cooperative societies' loans through Laikipia County Revolving Fund. This has enabled the cooperatives to play a critical role in contributing to the growth of the county's economy.

The County Cooperatives Revolving Fund is a fund specifically for cooperatives that must have been duly registered and audited, operating within Laikipia County, and have been economically viable. The fund offers an interest rate of 6%.

Cooperatives in Laikipia are enabling people to save together and also be able to provide credit that is affordable and accessible to their members. Director of Cooperatives, Rosemary Ngugi said.

Marketing cooperatives have provided employment opportunities to many farmers to earn regular incomes. Some are operating cereal stores after buying produces from farmers to contributing to food security in the county through proper storage.

We have been able to merge two cooperatives societies in Wiyumiririe and Makutano areas, Laikipia East to be able to collect about 3,000 liters of milk per day, cooling it and able to sell in the market earning high milk prices for their members. Director Rosemary said.

Before the merge, the cooperatives were selling the milk at an average Ksh. 32 per liter, but after they merged, they can sell it for Kshs. 41 per liter at the gate price. This has brought a lot of economic activity to the areas.

Business Development

Cooperatives have created many jobs in Laikipia. With the support from Business Development Officers (BDOs), they have been able to venture into value addition activities to grow and employ more Laikipians. Their operation, in almost every economic sector, is critically important to ensure more citizens are securing jobs.

When people are given credit, they are able to start or restock their businesses. Saccos are enabling individuals to create jobs and be economically viable. Ms Ngugi said, adding that programs such as Micro Credits and Asset Finance helps in the creation of job opportunities through providing necessities such as Boda Boda to members to start their own business.

(Published by ICT | Source: Laikipia Weekly Bulletin Issue 0058).