Kiambu County Assembly Speaker Charles Thiong’o has called for the protection of Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society (Fresha) and GDC Sacco from political interference, saying the institutions are too important to the local economy to be subjected to partisan interests.
Mr Thiong’o said the strength and sustainability of the two farmer owned institutions depended on sound governance, professional management and the ability to operate independently in the interests of their members.
The Speaker made the remarks after hosting the boards and executive management teams of Fresha and GDC Sacco at the county assembly during a courtesy visit.
The meeting, which brought together key local leaders and representatives of the two institutions, focused on areas where the county government and the farmer organisations can work together to strengthen the dairy value chain and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
Githunguri Ward MCA Joseph Kamau Muhinja and Githiga Ward MCA Ruth Waithira joined Mr Thiong’o during the engagement.
Among the issues discussed was the proposed installation of solar lighting at milk collection centres under the county’s solar lighting programme.
The initiative is expected to improve security and working conditions at the centres while supporting milk handling and collection activities, particularly during early morning and evening hours when farmers deliver their produce.
The leaders also explored the possibility of establishing an animal feeds manufacturing plant at the County Aggregation and Industrial Park at Waruhiu Farm in Ngewa Ward.
Such a facility, Mr Thiong’o said, could help address one of the major challenges facing dairy farmers the high cost of animal feeds.
A locally based feed processing plant would provide an opportunity to produce feeds closer to farmers, potentially reducing transportation and other production costs while improving access to quality feeds.
The proposal also fits into the broader objective of using the County Aggregation and Industrial Park to promote agro processing, create employment and increase value addition within the county.
For Githunguri’s dairy farmers, the cost of feeds remains a critical factor in determining the profitability of milk production. Lowering input costs could therefore have a direct impact on household incomes and the competitiveness of the dairy sector.
Mr Thiong’o said the discussions demonstrated the importance of partnerships between farmer cooperatives and county institutions in addressing practical challenges affecting producers.
The engagement came as Fresha prepares for its Annual General Meeting scheduled for Saturday, with the future direction and governance of the cooperative expected to attract considerable attention from members.
Mr Thiong’o said he was particularly encouraged by the determination of the Fresha and GDC leadership to keep politics out of the management of the institutions.
He argued that preserving the integrity of the organisations was essential to protecting the economic interests of thousands of farmers who depend on them.
“The Fresha brand” has grown beyond being simply a dairy enterprise to become an important economic pillar of Githunguri and the wider region.
The cooperative’s operations link farmers to markets, provide a source of income for households and support a wider network of businesses involved in dairy production, transportation, processing and retail.
Mr Thiong’o warned, in effect, that political interference could undermine the institutions’ governance and ultimately threaten the interests of the farmers who have invested in them.
His remarks come at a time when farmer cooperatives across the country are increasingly being viewed not only as vehicles for collective marketing but also as engines of rural industrialisation and economic empowerment.
For Githunguri, the proposed investments in solar powered milk collection centres and animal feed manufacturing could deepen this role by helping farmers reduce production costs while creating additional opportunities for value addition.
Mr Thiong’o said protecting Fresha and GDC Sacco from political interests would help preserve their long term sustainability and ensure that they remain focused on serving their members.
He described Fresha as a valuable economic asset whose success has implications far beyond the cooperative itself.
The Saturday AGM is therefore expected to provide an important platform for members to assess the cooperative’s performance, governance and future priorities as the dairy sector confronts rising production costs and an increasingly competitive market.
The county assembly leadership’s engagement with Fresha and GDC Sacco signals an effort to build closer institutional cooperation while allowing the farmer organisations to retain their independence.
For Githunguri’s dairy farmers, the immediate priority remains clear that reducing the cost of production, strengthening markets and protecting the institutions through which they collectively earn a living.
