Machakos District Co-operative Union Limited was established in 1964 and registered under the Co-operative Societies Act in 1972 as an umbrella organization for primary organizations in Machakos District. MCU represents 81 affiliate co-operative societies with more than a total of 70,000 individual producers. Besides these co-ops are 26 women groups with a membership of more than 4000 women produc
ers. these are mainly in the production of hand crafted products like sisal baskets( Kiondos), mats and wood carvings
The area of operation of MCU covers the larger Machakos district which is currently comprised two counties( Machakos and Makueni)
The supreme authority of the union is the annual general meeting (AGM) which comprises of delegates elected from affilliate members co-operative organisations and groups. The AGM periodically elects the management board which oversees the day to day activities of the union and delegates the same to the employees under the flagship of the general manager who is the CEO. He oversees the day to day activities of the Union assisted by the assisitant general manager and the chief accountant. There are other sectional/ departmental heads who man the various departments/ sections. Each sectional / departmental manager has a team of support staff who assist in running of the section/ department. Other activities offered by MDCU include Insurance, management and advisory services to producer groups, consumer services, accountancy and book keeping, co-operative education and Export of handicrafts. The Union is trading internationally under WFTO in marketing of handicrafts and has its coffee products under the following certifications; FLO, UTZ and CAFE
