Examining the Effect of Management Committee Diversity on Sustainable Financing in Dairy Cooperative Societies in Kenya

Background: The dairy sub-sector plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s economy, contributing to employment creation, food security, household incomes, and rural development. Dairy cooperatives emerge when members come together democratically and voluntarily to pool resources with the aim of meeting their socioeconomic needs. These cooperatives serve as vital platforms for the production, processing, and marketing of raw milk and its byproducts. Beyond marketing, they extend technical support to members through services such as artificial insemination, improved animal husbandry practices, and the provision of essential farm inputs, including animal feeds and fertilizer. As such, dairy cooperatives not only enhance productivity but also foster community empowerment and economic stability. Methodology: The study was grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and employed an explanatory research design to establish causal relationships. The target population consisted of 216 registered dairy cooperatives, drawn from 11 counties in Kenya. A sample size of 140 cooperatives was selected using stratified sampling to ensure representativeness across the counties. Structured questionnaires were administered to gather primary data from management committees and members. Findings: The results revealed a positive and significant relationship between management committee diversity and sustainable financing of dairy cooperatives. Diversity in age, gender, educational qualifications, and professional experience within management committees was shown to enhance decision-making and resource mobilization, thereby contributing to the long-term financial stability of cooperatives. Conclusion: The study concluded that diversity in management committees fosters financial sustainability in dairy cooperatives. Recommendations: The study recommends that dairy cooperatives in Kenya should intentionally promote diversity in their management committees by ensuring inclusive representation across demographic and professional dimensions.