Kiambu residents have been urged to join and register cooperatives to improve their businesses.
Speaking on Monday in his office, Kiambu Sub-County Cooperative Commissioner Mr Ephraim Mathenge said Kiambu County has 478 registered cooperative societies which contribute a lot of money to the county’s revenue.
“Kiambu County has a total of 478 registered cooperative societies with having registered 70 new cooperatives society this year,” said Mathenge.
He said that the Ministry of Cooperative and Development Marketing had placed requirements that were easily achievable and that loan repayment was at low interest rates.
Mathenge cited a local cooperative society known as Kiambu Veterinary Services, saying it was a good example of how cooperatives society were benefiting as it had registered a turnover of Sh7.3 million after investing Sh5.1 million during the start of the 2014-2015 financial year.
Mathenge also said the ministry was offering free pre-cooperative guidance whereby prospective cooperatives are given guidelines on how to run their cooperatives.
He said teachers in high schools should educate students about cooperatives adding that the best way to enlighten farmers or residents who may not know about cooperatives is through their children.
He urged bodaboda operators and youth groups to join cooperatives adding that the youths will benefit more because they are able to come up with innovative ideas that they can implement and earn a living.