NANDI COUNTY MARKS USHIRIKA DAY WITH STRONG SUPPORT FOR FARMERS
Kabiyet, July 5, 2025 – Nandi County joined the rest of the world in celebrating the 103rd International Day of Cooperatives, also known as Ushirika Day. The event was held at the Nandi Dairy Cooperative Union Milk Processing Plant in Kabiyet, a key project owned by farmers and supported by the County Government.
Governor Stephen Sang led the celebrations and used the opportunity to highlight the progress made through the cooperative movement in Nandi. He said cooperatives remain central to improving the lives of farmers and growing the local economy.
“Cooperatives are not just a model; they are a way of life in Nandi. They are the bridge between individual effort and collective success,” the Governor said.
Since 2017, the County Government has focused on building strong farmer groups through training, revival of dormant cooperatives, and improved access to funding. Today, Nandi has over 400,000 cooperative members, with share capital of more than Ksh 2.35 billion and a turnover of nearly Ksh 2 billion annually.
The Nandi Dairy Milk Plant, valued at Ksh 700 million and capable of processing 200,000 litres daily, is one of the major achievements. With Nandi producing over 190 million litres of milk each year, farmers now have a reliable processing and marketing facility.
Progress Across Other Sectors
Nandi is also investing in other key value chains such as coffee, avocado, poultry, and sheep farming. In coffee, the County has distributed over five million seedlings since 2018 and launched the Nandi Coffee Mill in Tinderet, a Ksh 60 million facility that supports over 90 primary cooperatives.
The County is also working to have Nandi Coffee recognized globally under a Geographical Indication (GI) label. New nursery management and licensing guidelines were launched to ensure farmers receive high-quality, certified seedlings.
In avocado farming, over 40,000 seedlings have been distributed this year. The County has also built an aggregation centre in Nandi Hills and obtained an export license. In poultry, a slaughterhouse in Emgwen is complete, with plans for full operation by year-end.
The Governor also mentioned that Dorper sheep farming is gaining popularity among youth, and a registered breeders’ cooperative is now in place. The goal is to make Nandi a regional hub for quality Dorper genetics.
Empowering SACCOs and Embracing Accountability
Through the new National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), SACCOs are being established in all 30 wards to support farmers with access to credit, inputs, and training. This project builds on the earlier NARIGP initiative.
To improve accountability, the County is enforcing new governance rules for cooperatives, including proper elections, audits, and transparency in operations. Plans are underway to introduce iCoop, a digital system to support cooperative compliance and record-keeping.
Looking Ahead
Governor Sang emphasized the importance of cooperation and trust in building a better future. “When the farmer rises, Nandi rises,” he said, encouraging all farmers to work together and take advantage of opportunities provided by cooperatives.