Maasai Kajiado Women Dairy Cooperative: Women Transforming Cooperativism in Kenya
13 Feb 2026
Through collective action and leadership, Maasai women are redefining traditional roles, improving livelihoods, and driving community transformation in Kenya’s arid lands — proving that cooperation is a powerful path toward equality and resilience.
Discover this inspiring story of women who are transforming cooperativism.
Maasai Kajiado Women Dairy Cooperative is a women led Co-operative started by a few women with the aim of supporting families and create income. The cooperative has grown strong and vibrant with a membership of more than 5,000 members of which over 3,200 are actively involved. The society’s turnover has been steadily increasing from (59.1 million) in 2012 to (87.6 million) in 2013 respective and slightly drop (80.1 million) in 2014, since year 2015 to 2018 climate has made business unfavorable for the cooperative and have been straggling with revenue fluctuations. Traditionally, the Maasai have depended on livestock for their livelihood, with milk being a vital source of food and income. However, cultural practices often restrict women from owing cattle or making independent financial decisions. The cooperative have emerged as a transformative approach to enhance women’s economic participation, improving household nutrition and strengthening community resilience.
The Cooperative brings together groups of Maasai women from Kajiado central, Kajiado east and Kajiado west (Oloililai 1(bisil), Oloililai 2 (mile Tisa) Oltarakwai (dalalekutuk), Ilkipirash (Purko), Oleleshwa (Ildamat) (Nareto in mile 46) and (Osotua in sultan hamud).The women collect, process and market milk from their households. By pooling resources, they are able to overcome individual challenges such as poor market access, lack of storage facilities an fluctuating prices. The women supply fresh milk to collection centers, where it is cooled and processed before being sold to local markets, schools, and urban center’s such as Nairobi. This collective action ensures fairer prices, reduced post-harvesting losses and guaranteed steady income for the members.
One of the key strengths of the cooperative lies in its empowerment model. It provides trainings on modern dairy farming practices, animal health management and business skills. Women are also supported in diversifying products such as yogurt, ghee and fermented milk, adding value and expanding market opportunities. Through trainings members have been able to invest in improved breeds and fodder production.
The Cooperative has addressed broader social issues through challenging traditional gender roles by granting women control over income generated from milk, this elevating their decision making power within households and communities. Additionally, the cooperative promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging pasture conservation, water harvesting and adaptation to climate change which is critical in the arid and semi-arid landscapes of Kajiado. Beyond economics the cooperative fosters solidarity and collective identity among Maasai women, who find a platform to share experiences, mentor each other and advocate for their rights.
This is an initiative of the Gender Equality Committee of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), developed within the framework of the ICA Action Plan 2025.
The campaign highlights real stories of women who, through their cooperatives, are driving economic, social, and community transformation in their territories. During the month of February 2026 and up to 8 March –International Women’s Day– representative stories from around the world will be shared on ICA’s official website and social media channels.
Aligned with the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, this initiative celebrates the leadership and contributions of women who are building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable cooperative movement.
💜 If you have a story and would like to share it, please write to us at gec@ica.coop.
