Kenya certifies cooperative trainers to strengthen child-labour-free coffee and tea supply chains

NAIROBI (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO), through the ACCEL Africa project, has certified 55 county-based trainers to strengthen cooperative governance and leadership in Kenya's coffee and tea sectors while promoting the elimination of child labour. The newly certified trainers, drawn from Kisii, Kericho, Meru and Nyeri counties, will support coffee and tea cooperatives in strengthening their management practices and integrating child labour prevention into their day-to-day operations.

The trainers were certified using the ILO's internationally recognized My.COOP methodology, which equips cooperative officers and practitioners with practical skills in governance, leadership, financial management, member participation and business development. As part of the certification process, participants completed a Training of Trainers course before delivering cascade training sessions that reached more than 90 leaders of coffee and tea cooperatives across the four counties.

© ILO/Duncan Chando

© ILO/Duncan Chando

The initiative forms part of the ACCEL Africa project's efforts to strengthen institutions that support smallholder farmers while addressing the root causes of child labour. Stronger cooperatives are better positioned to improve productivity, expand market opportunities, increase household incomes and promote responsible business practices, helping to reduce the economic vulnerabilities that place children at risk of child labour.

One of the newly certified trainers noted that the programme strengthened both technical knowledge and facilitation skills, equipping participants to support cooperatives in improving governance while integrating child labour prevention into cooperative leadership and management.

As certified trainers, we are now ready to cascade this knowledge to coffee and tea cooperatives in our counties. This approach will leave lasting capacity within our counties long after the project ends.

Mercy Moraa, Cooperative Officer and one of the newly certified My.COOP trainers

The certification marks the beginning of the next phase of the ACCEL Africa project. From August 2026, the newly certified trainers will deliver the ILO's My.COOP programme to coffee and tea cooperatives across Kisii, Kericho, Meru and Nyeri counties. Working closely with cooperative unions and primary cooperatives, they will support boards of management, managers and members to strengthen cooperative governance while integrating child labour prevention into leadership, management and member engagement.

By building on existing cooperative structures, the initiative aims to create a sustainable network of local trainers who will continue to strengthen cooperative capacities beyond the life of the project, ensuring that knowledge and good practices reach an increasing number of coffee- and tea-growing communities.

Strong governance and proper management systems will help us improve member trust, increase incomes, and ensure children remain in school.

Stephen Obure, Chairperson of Nyambunde Farmers' Cooperative Society

Through the training, cooperative leaders strengthened their knowledge of good governance, financial management, strategic planning, ethical leadership and member engagement, while gaining practical tools to integrate child labour prevention into cooperative policies and day-to-day operations. Stronger cooperatives are better positioned to improve services for their members, increase productivity and household incomes, and promote responsible and sustainable coffee and tea production.

We now better understand how to integrate child labour prevention into our cooperative policies, member sensitization programmes, and day-to-day leadership practices.

Elmelda Kausi, Chairlady of Nyamarambe Farmers' Cooperative Society

The newly certified trainers will continue supporting cooperative development across Kisii, Kericho, Meru and Nyeri counties, helping ensure that the knowledge and skills acquired through the programme are embedded within local institutions and reach an increasing number of cooperatives. Through this initiative, the ACCEL Africa project is supporting Kenya's efforts to eliminate child labour while promoting decent work and more sustainable coffee and tea supply chains.