Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has promised that her administration will work closely with cooperative societies in order to accelerate local economic growth and job creation opportunities for residents.

Addressing co-operators during celebrations to mark World Cooperatives Day at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, the governor noted that the cooperative movement was critical in revitalising the economy through production, value addition and marketing.

“My government considers the cooperative movement as a key partner and an appropriate model to facilitate the implementation of my manifesto geared towards rolling back poverty and creating wealth and employment opportunities for our people,” Wavinya said.

Citing the remarkable Sh13.7 billion in cumulative share capital and asset base, and a further annual turnover amounting to Sh3.5 billion within the co-operative sector, the governor said her administration will continue to promote policies that support the thriving of cooperatives including infrastructure improvement and capacity building.

“My government has continued to facilitate the provision of extension and support services, coffee seedlings, capacity building, training on value addition and promotion of savings mobilisation and credit facilities to members of the community through SACCOs, which play an important role in the provision of cheap and affordable credit facilities,” she said.

She disclosed the county government in collaboration with the national government and other development partners had so far injected Sh72 million into various cooperative entities across the county.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of Machakos Cooperative Union, Patrick Katingima challenged the county administration to address the legislative hurdles that had been pulling down the cooperative movement.

Katingima noted that the existence of outdated cooperative laws was a huge setback to the growth of the sector, which now faces modern challenges in management and operations.