LEGISLATION:  The government is banking on the amendments to the Co-operatives Bill to reform the multi-million shilling sector. The draft law seeks to direct all counties to employ cooperative officials in every ward to help align the cooperative sector with the government’s bottom-up economic programme.

Co-operatives and Micro and Small Enterprises Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui promised to seal loopholes that have seen farmers or members cheated out of their investments and to ensure such members get a return on their investments.

Rebuild sector

“The new co-operatives Bill has gone through all the processes including the drafting, and public participation and was tabled through the former cabinet and we are going to present it for adoption and ownership by the new administration,” he said.

Chelugui spoke during a joint briefing by the ministry and Council of Governors (CoG) in Mombasa.

He vowed to rebuild the sector and underscored the role of cooperatives in enhancing housing, transport, and food production in the country.

Chelugui challenged the governors to cooperate with the government in strengthening the cooperative sector as a vehicle to stimulate the economy.

Bungoma Governor and CoG’s Agriculture Committee Chairperson Ken Lusaka said the fast-tracking of the Cooperative Bill will give new energy to the cooperative movement and ensure a seamless relationship between the counties and the central government.