Kenya Development Corporation brought together SACCOs and cooperatives in Eldoret on 17 Oct 2026 to explore financing for business expansion across the North Rift.
KDC Director General Norah Ratemo said the corporation wanted to widen its regional financing reach and bring capital closer to viable enterprises.
“We want to deepen this impact by taking development capital even closer to enterprises and communities where opportunities exist,” said Ratemo.
The engagement matters to Kenya’s agricultural economy because KDC is targeting investment beyond primary production into processing and other value-adding activities.
KDC said the meeting brought together businesses and participants across agricultural value chains within the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB).
The targeted value chains included dairy, tea, coffee and maize.
They also included wheat, pyrethrum, avocado and livestock.
The corporation said investment opportunities covered aggregation, processing, storage and machinery.
It said opportunities also covered logistics, technology and markets.
KDC said SACCOs and cooperatives provided a route for connecting development finance to farmers and enterprises operating within these value chains.
Its wholesale financing channels capital to micro, small and medium enterprises through financial institutions.
Cooperatives and other viable enterprises can also access direct financing for establishment, expansion, diversification, working capital and equipment.
The corporation said it also invests through equity to support viable businesses and projects requiring patient capital for growth.
These financing options serve enterprises at different stages of growth and with different investment needs according to KDC.
Ratemo said Ksh5.3 billion had already been disbursed under the SAFER Project to support MSMEs across 45 counties.
The release did not specify how much financing would be available to businesses in the North Rift following the Eldoret engagement.
Philip Chebunet called for the revival and strengthening of cooperatives to mobilise farmers and build enterprises that invest in value addition.
“We want to see strong cooperatives that can bring farmers together, build viable enterprises and invest in value addition,” said Chebunet.
He said KDC financing offered an opportunity to strengthen both individual enterprises and the wider cooperative movement.
KDC said investment closer to production areas could help farmers and businesses retain more value from agricultural output within their communities.
The corporation identified county governments as important partners in finding bankable investments and addressing barriers that prevent businesses from attracting capital.
Chebunet called for stronger collaboration between KDC and counties to develop investable projects across agriculture, manufacturing, value addition and other productive sectors.
KDC said SACCOs and cooperatives were asked to turn economic opportunities within their communities into viable projects for financing.