The Munami Agro-Processing Plant in Kakamega County, Kenya, was established in 2017 by a group of ambitious young people determined to tackle youth unemployment. They are achieving their goals by combining an innovative business model with skills gained through the Agricultural Leadership Programme under Cordaid’s Strengthening Agricultural Resilience Through Learning and Innovation Project (STARLIT).
The group initially formed as a small youth collective with 35 members. As their aspirations grew, they formalised their efforts by registering as a youth cooperative society. From modest beginnings, they expanded their activities with the help of a donor who provided resources to establish a permanent structure and acquire machinery for producing fortified animal feeds.
Embracing Agriculture for Sustainable Livelihoods
‘We realised that many young people are idle and lack a source of income,’ says Munami’s Vice Chairperson, Bernard Wasike. ‘There is a common misconception that white-collar jobs are available after school, but this is false. We encourage young people to embrace agriculture, where they can thrive and build sustainable livelihoods.’
Adopting an innovative approach, the cooperative partnered with smallholder farmers, offering farm inputs on an instalment basis. This arrangement ensured a steady supply of raw materials while supporting local farmers. Additionally, the cooperative provided farmers with training, demonstration sessions, and access to credit for essential farm inputs.
Hard Work Bears Fruit
Their hard work began to bear fruit, generating an average monthly income of 700 euros from raw material supplies. Their success attracted attention, leading to contracts with the Kakamega County Government to supply maize flour and soya.
‘We used to run the cooperative informally; now, we operate professionally.’
A key strength of this youth-led organisation is its structured approach: young women manage product marketing, while young men handle logistics and transportation of raw materials and finished products.
A Significant Milestone
Participating in the project was a significant milestone for the group, as the training strengthened its governance structure and equipped it with essential leadership and management skills. They learned to delegate responsibilities effectively, conduct structured meetings, maintain stakeholder relationships, and keep accurate records.
The training played a crucial role in streamlining their operations, enhancing governance practices, and increasing membership from 35 to 45. Additionally, their cooperative’s monthly revenue rose from 700 euros to almost 1,060, with expectations of further growth.
‘We had never received such training before. We used to run the cooperative informally; now, we operate professionally,’ says the cooperative’s secretary, Lilian Akoth.
‘Previously, the chairperson handled everything and was solely blamed when issues arose,’ Bernard Wasike adds. ‘We lacked organisation, and record-keeping was poor—we would estimate stock by sight instead of using proper measurements. As a poultry farmer, I sometimes lack cash to buy feed, but the cooperative allows me to purchase on credit and pay later. The training helped me learn how to manage meetings, facilitate discussions, and resolve conflicts effectively.’
About STARLIT
The STARLIT Project, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through the South-South Triangular Cooperation facility supported by the Government of China, aims to enhance farmers’ resilience in prolonged crises. Inspired by the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted access to essential agricultural services, the project facilitated comprehensive training for farmer organisations, including the Munami Agro-Processing Plant.
Through STARLIT, Cordaid delivered training using the Agribusiness Leadership Programme curriculum developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank. This curriculum is part of the standardised tools used within the Agribusiness Market Ecosystems Alliance framework, which Cordaid coordinates in Kenya.
By investing in youth-led cooperatives, the STARLIT Project is fostering a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs, strengthening food systems, and promoting sustainable economic growth.