Youth and women participation in cooperative can transform the movement in Kenya

Author: Geoffrey Asira

The Cooperative movement in Kenya warmly welcomed the International Cooperative Alliance President Ariel Guarco and Director General Bruno Roelants from 13th to 15th   January. The discussions mostly touched on harmonizing of the legal framework with the constitution of Kenya (2010), cooperative governance, inadequate research on emerging cooperative products and services and low participation of youth, women, and people living with disabilities.

They were guided by the Alliance Africa President Japheh Magomere, Regional Director Chiyoge Sifa, the ICA members in Kenya, the State Department of Cooperatives and the Cooperative Alliance of Kenya (CAK).

The first stop was at The Cooperative Bank of Kenya followed by the State Department of Cooperatives, Cooperative Insurance Company (CIC), Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO), African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA), National Cooperative Housing Union (NACHU) and The Cooperatives University of Kenya (CUK). The delegation then departed to the ICA Africa offices before heading to the late Standley Muchiri’s home.

During the dinner that was organized by the cooperative movement in Kenya, ICA President explained that the visit to the East Africa cooperatives was fundamental for him to improve his understanding as the president of the ICA and satisfy the needs of the members.

Kenya has 22,000 registered cooperatives with 6 national cooperative bodies and one apex body.