Leading Change: Women Take Their Place in Cooperative Governance

In Kajiado County, the winds of change are blowing through the dusty boardrooms of local cooperatives. Where once decisions were made without women's voices, today grassroots women are not only seated at the table but are leading the discussions. Through the FAIR for ALL Project, the Rural Women Network (RWN) has made a bold investment in leadership by helping women move from informal group participation to formal governance roles.

From Members to Decision-Makers

For decades, women in pastoral and agricultural communities have been active contributors to family livelihoods, yet largely excluded from leadership and decision-making spaces. RWN recognized that true empowerment could only be achieved when women had a voice not just in production, but in how institutions are run and governed.

Training for Transparent Leadership

Through intensive leadership and governance trainings, RWN equipped elected board members with skills in strategic decision-making, transparent management, and cooperative governance principles. Women learned about by-laws, financial oversight, conflict resolution, and the importance of inclusive leadership.

Leadership that Reflects the Community

The cooperatives have since developed strong internal systems. Supervisory committees regularly review financial records, ensuring funds are managed responsibly. Annual General Meetings (AGMs) are now occasions for accountability and celebration, where members discuss progress, review financial statements, and elect new leaders.

"My husband used to ask why I attend so many meetings," shares Rose, a cooperative leader. "But when he saw the profits and the school fees paid on time, he said, 'You're doing well. Keep going.'"

Bridging the Gap with County Governance

RWN has also worked to ensure that women-led cooperatives connect directly with the Kajiado County Government. Through FAIR for ALL, RWN facilitated dialogues between cooperative leaders and county officials in agriculture, trade, and cooperatives departments.