Empowering Maasai Women Through Dairy Farming: Jane Saruni Shares the MKWDCS Success Story

For thousands of women across Kajiado County, dairy farming has become more than a source of income—it is a catalyst for economic empowerment, family wellbeing, and community transformation.

The Maasai Kajiado Women Dairy Cooperative Society Ltd. (MKWDCS) has grown into one of Kenya’s leading women-led dairy cooperatives, bringing together more than 3,400 women members from across Kajiado County. Through collective action, the cooperative markets over 60,000 litres of milk every day, supplying New KCC while also processing and marketing its own dairy products.

In the accompanying video, Jane Saruni, a women’s leader at MKWDCS, shares a powerful account of how dairy farming has transformed the lives of Maasai women.

Turning Tradition into Opportunity

Within the Maasai community, cattle have traditionally been regarded as a family’s wealth, while women have played a central role in milking and managing milk. Through the cooperative movement, this long-standing responsibility has become an opportunity for women to generate income, build financial independence, and improve the wellbeing of their families.

“Dairy farming has taken us far,” Jane explains in the video. “It has enabled us to build modern homes, educate our children, and improve our lives.”

Today, the impact of dairy farming can be seen throughout Kajiado County, where many women have transitioned from traditional manyattas to permanent homes, invested in education for their children, and strengthened their household incomes through consistent milk sales.

Creating More Value from Every Litre

MKWDCS has gone beyond milk collection by investing in value addition. With support from the County Government of Kajiado and development partners, the cooperative established a milk processing plant that produces fresh packaged milk, yoghurt, and mala.

Processing milk locally enables the cooperative to access new markets, increase product value, reduce post-harvest losses, and create employment opportunities within the community. It also ensures consumers receive high-quality dairy products produced by local women farmers.

A Cooperative Transforming Lives

The success of MKWDCS demonstrates the power of the cooperative model in creating inclusive economic growth. By working together, members benefit from reliable markets, stronger bargaining power, skills development, and opportunities to invest in their families and businesses.

Beyond financial benefits, the cooperative has nurtured confident women leaders who are actively contributing to community development and inspiring future generations.

Looking Ahead

As MKWDCS continues to grow, its vision remains clear: to improve the livelihoods of women dairy farmers while delivering high-quality dairy products to the market.

The cooperative remains grateful to the County Government of Kajiado, development partners, and all stakeholders whose continued support has made this journey possible.

Jane Saruni’s story is one of many within MKWDCS, but it reflects the shared experience of thousands of women whose determination and collective effort are transforming dairy farming into a powerful engine of social and economic development.

Watch Jane Saruni share, in her own words, how dairy farming has changed the lives of women and families across Kajiado County.