Kenyan Delegation in Ireland to strengthen co-operative sector

BY Andrew Walyaula
August 18, 2025
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The Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, is leading a high-level Kenyan delegation on a benchmarking mission in Dublin, Ireland.

The visit is hosted by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU), an organization known globally for its strong cooperative governance and ethical financial practices.

The Irish League of Credit Unions has successfully supported the development of credit unions in several African countries and brings decades of experience in promoting sustainable cooperative systems.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Co-operatives, Patrick Kilemi, who is part of the delegation, said the visit will help Kenya strengthen governance and regulatory systems in the cooperative sector.

It will also accelerate digital transformation, diversify financial products, promote financial inclusion, and build capacity for long-term growth.

“Dublin, Ireland. Accompanying my Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, as he leads Kenya’s delegation on a benchmarking mission in Dublin, Ireland hosted by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU),” Kilemi said.

Cooperatives currently contribute approximately 30 percent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making them a major pillar of the economy in sectors such as agriculture, finance, and housing.

The Government of Kenya has continued to support the cooperative movement by investing in infrastructure, training farmers, and strengthening programmes such as milk stabilization.

However, despite their importance, cooperatives still face challenges including weak governance structures, financial dependency, and limited capacity building.

Even so, there remains huge potential for growth, especially in areas like green investments and agricultural value chains.