Members' Participation In Kenyan Rural Cooperative Organization:The Case Of Kirinyaga District

Abstract

This study intended to be part fulfilment for a Master of Arts Degree, was carried out in Kirinyaga District. It emphasized several factors: 1. The vitality of studies based on rural development in the context of national development policies in Kenya; 2. The significance-and centrality of agricultural development as a useful component factor for rural development; 3. The crucial role played by cooperative form of org-unization for most effective development; 4. The significance of small-holder participation in the implementation of rural developmerrt 5. Expected and actual position of small Large scale farmer in the entire f'abric of cooperative movement Kenya: the only means by which he can participate in the promotion of rural development. The problem of the study comprised two main sets of relationships: 1. 'I'he relationship between Intra- and inter-organizational coordination and members' participation in cooperative development; and 2. The relationship between equity participation .The data was collected through survey method, and analysed by means of percentages, gamma. coefficient of correlation and chi-square test of significance The major findings indicated the significance of several relationships in cooperative organizations. Firstly, it was found that there is a strong positive relationship between coordination among poor members and. participation of elected committee members in cooperative development. Secondly, it was proved that there is some strong positive relationship between coordination among the poor .members and their active participation in cooperative development. Thirdly, the findings indicated that there is a strong relationship between inter-societal coordination and the activeness of rich members' participation in cooperative development. Fourthly, the study revealed that there is a strong positive relationship between coordination among the poor members and rich members' willingness to participate in cooperative development. Finally, the findings also proved that a strong positive relationship existed between fairness ,in allocation of benefits to members and poor members' participation in cooperative development.