Taipei:Uasin Gishu In a concerted effort to bolster rural economies, the County Government of Uasin Gishu is ramping up its initiatives to aid cooperative societies in overcoming financial challenges, thereby ensuring the continuity of operations and the preservation of household incomes at the grassroots level.
According to Kenya News Agency, on Thursday, Kipleting Mengich, the County Director for Enterprise Development, met with the newly appointed management of Lainguse Cooperative Society in Tarakwa Ward, Kesses Sub County. Mengich emphasized the county’s commitment to assist groups dealing with operational and cash-flow issues. He highlighted the critical role that cooperatives play in driving economic growth, wealth creation, and improving household incomes, assuring that the county is dedicated to helping these societies regain stability and achieve their objectives.
Lainguse Cooperative Society has faced significant operational setbacks, affecting its main activities of milk bulking and pyrethrum farming, which has disrupted income for its members. Tarakwa Ward MCA Thomas Yego encouraged the new management to focus on rebuilding members’ trust through strong leadership and accountability. He also pledged his support for the society’s revival efforts.
John Sitienei, Chairperson of the society, expressed gratitude for the county’s involvement and conveyed optimism that this engagement would be a turning point in their recovery. The society is already showing signs of renewal with five acres dedicated to maize and 1.2 acres to potatoes, marking a strategic move to diversify beyond traditional dairy and pyrethrum activities.
The challenges faced by Lainguse Cooperative Society reflect a broader issue affecting many rural cooperatives in Kenya, which have historically played a crucial role in pooling resources, enhancing bargaining power for small-scale farmers, and facilitating access to credit and markets. The financial difficulties of such cooperatives have widespread impacts, including reduced cash flows, lost employment, and weakened social safety nets in rural areas.
Uasin Gishu’s strategic interventions aim to counter these challenges by providing practical support to stabilize and diversify cooperative income sources. The county’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate cooperative societies underscore a broader understanding that strong, well-managed cooperatives are vital for inclusive rural development, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods.
