Steering wheels of impact and community-led development in Nakuru County
September 17, 2025
KCDF hosts the West Africa Civil Society Institute for a learning exchange visit
September 23, 2025
On July 15th, 2025, seven KCDF-partner-organisations gathered in Nairobi and embarked on a journey to Baringo County for a peer-to-peer learning and exchange Visit. The road to Baringo unfolded with stunning scenery, fields of potatoes, maize, and wheat blanketing the countryside. As we travelled along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, the sky grew heavier with clouds, a sign of the afternoon rain coming. When we arrived at the Community Socio-Environmental Organisation (COSEO) headquarters around 1:30 p.m., the rain had started to fall in earnest. Still, it did little to dampen the warmth of our welcome. Under a large tent set up for the exchange, we were greeted with hot tea and warm smiles, reflecting the deeply rooted hospitality and community spirit that defines COSEO’s work.
Founded and led by Tecla Chumba, COSEO’s journey with KCDF began in 2017. Since then, the organisation has become a powerful example of how consistent grassroots support can transform a community. Through the Pamoja for Change programme, COSEO launched a major water project that now supplies water to two communities in Lembus Ward. This development has changed daily life for many households. Previously reliant on costly and often distant water sources, families in these communities now have easier, more sustainable access.
COSEO’s work has been further strengthened through the support of the Mott Foundation, which played a key role in institutional development. With this support, COSEO expanded its team by hiring three permanent staff members and two interns, strengthening its day-to-day operations. The support also enabled them to purchase two laptops, refurbished office cabinets, and the installation of CCTV systems to improve office security. The organisation also developed and printed a comprehensive strategic plan, conducted its first-ever audit, and provided vital training to both staff and board members, aligning their operations with national government standards. These milestones have laid the groundwork for long-term organisational sustainability.
“We now have the right capacity to carry out our work and build partnerships with other organisations, thanks to strengthening our organisational structure. Enhancing our office and visibility has also increased community trust in our work, allowing us to serve them more effectively,” Tecla highlighted.
One of the most impressive outcomes of KCDF and Mott’s support is the establishment of a cooling store at COSEO’s premises. The store, capable of holding up to 600 potato sacks, has solved a long-standing regional challenge: post-harvest losses. The store is supported by water tanks that aid in cooling, helping farmers store produce for extended periods and sell at better prices. The impact of this facility is already evident. During the COVID-19 pandemic, COSEO received 25 kilograms of seeds from KCDF, which they planted and later distributed to the community—an initiative that enhanced local food security during an uncertain time.
While guiding the visiting partners through the project site, we were given insightful details on how the cooling store functions. “The store is insulated with layers of charcoal, which play a crucial role in preserving perishable produce. Water tanks above the store provide a continuous water supply that moistens the charcoal. The charcoal, in turn, absorbs excess moisture from the produce, creating a cool and humid environment that helps prevent spoilage. This simple yet effective system allows perishable products to be stored safely for up to six months, significantly reducing post-harvest losses.” The project manager further elaborated.
Beyond infrastructure, COSEO has also empowered its community through education, supporting about 50 students with school fees and supplies. Environmental conservation is another pillar of their work. One of the most compelling stories comes from a 21-member group formed by a COSEO beneficiary. With initial support of 70 nursery tubes from KCDF, they established a tree nursery that has since grown over 100,000 seedlings, selling 42,000 seedlings between July 2024 and 2025 at KES 15–20 each, earning over KES 300,000 in profit. The group, led by Stephen Kibet, sells seedlings, produces honey through beekeeping, and donates seedlings to local schools. Their nursery sits in a forest, where they plant certified seeds and reinvest in the environment.
Women, too, have seen transformation through COSEO. A women’s group facilitated by the organisation runs a table banking scheme, where members contribute between KES 200 and 1,000 monthly. This group generates approximately KES 2 million annually, which they distribute among themselves at the end of the year. With profits, they have purchased their cooling store and constructed two rental houses. The savings scheme enables the women to access soft loans to support their families’ education, business, and other needs. Cynthia C. Rono, the Village Savings and Loan Association chairperson, explained how their group has grown into a pillar of local economic resilience.
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- Stephen Kibet, a resident of Baringo County who has realised immense benefit in COSEO’s work
“KCDF supported us with certified seeds, which have been instrumental in advancing this project,” Stephen Kibet noted. “We’ve cultivated a strong culture of environmental conservation within the community. We supply tree seedlings to nearby schools and sell them to residents within our ward and surrounding areas. We grow a variety of species, with pine and cypress being the most popular and frequently sold.”
“Women in our area are now more empowered than ever,” she highlighted. “They’re now able to start businesses and support their families. Their children can attend school consistently without worrying about being sent home due to unpaid fees. With access to soft loans at just 10% interest, these women are achieving economic growth and gaining personal empowerment and independence.”
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- Partners being showcased the charcoal cooler
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- Partners at the farm being shown how COSEO works with the cooperative
The impact was visible and deeply felt during the exchange visit. Representatives from other organisations expressed admiration for COSEO’s tangible progress, from improved infrastructure and diversified income streams to the strengthened capacity of its leadership and staff. In his closing remarks, Kennedy Odera, KCDF’s Capacity Strengthening Coordinator, highlighted the importance of such development. He reminded the group that while support from partners like KCDF and the Mott Foundation plays a critical role, long-term success hinges on the ability of organisations to invest in fundraising, capacity building, and income-generating activities to ensure sustainability.
“It’s important for organisations to envision their long-term goals and plan for sustainability beyond donor support. Practising local fundraising and establishing social enterprises that generate income are key to ensuring an organisation’s longevity,” he emphasised. He also noted that COSEO serves as a strong example, having successfully implemented the ten tenets of the Mott Foundation, offering valuable lessons for other partners to learn from.
COSEO’s story is a testament to the power of local leadership, community trust, and the right support at the right time. From a modest partnership in 2017 to a multi-faceted organisation impacting hundreds, COSEO continues to lead the way in showing how grassroots organisations, when nurtured, can transform not only lives, but entire communities.
#communityleddevelopment #institutionaleffectiveness #entrenchingphilanthropy #enablingenvironment #BaringoCounty
