Abstract:
The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) acknowledges Member Participation (MP) as a
strategy for making co-operatives achieve faster growth enhanced by Member Education Types
(METs). METs are the kind of learning provided through Co-operative Education (CE). They
improve members’ skills on member’s rights and responsibilities, financial management,
entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation leading to better MP. However, an examination of
most CE indicates that it is not directed to members limiting them from accessing useful co operative knowledge. This study examined the effects of member education types on their
participation in Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS). Specifically the study (i)
examined member education types (ii) assessed the relationship between member education
types and member participation, and (iii) analysed socio-demographic attributes affecting
participation of members. Selection of 384 members from 147 SACCOS was done using simple
random sampling. Survey, in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were used in
data collections. Data were analysed with the aid of multiple linear regression and content
analysis technique. Findings revealed that METs were skills on member rights and
responsibilities, entrepreneurship, financial management, leadership and innovation. It was
also found that METs influence MP. The socio-demographic attributes affecting MP were
education, age, sex, income and occupation. The study concluded that METs were critical on
increasing co-operative understanding on the nature and uniqueness of co-operative business,
they predict MP on co-operative meetings and elections among others (P<0.05). The study
recommends SACCOS’ managers and training agencies to provide continuous CE to members
under strict supervision of the County Co-operative Officers to improve MP.
