Profile
MDCU was established in 1964 as an umbrella organisation of primary co-operatives in Machakos district. Its main objective was to market coffee for the producers within the district. Other societies were later incorporated. This includes Cotton, Dairy, Horticulture, Handicrafts and Multipurpose projects. Today it assists mainly marginalized producers in the handcraft sector, whereby they have products such as wood carvings, baskets, soapstone’s amid others.

MDCU mission is to be a known successful Co-operative Union that promotes the social economic interests of its members both the rural and urban communities through offering high quality products and services at competitive prices, customers care without interfering with the prevailing environmental, social and total quality managements.

The vision of the co-operative is to lead in terms of improved service to customers, increased returns to share holders, highest rewards to employees and be a leading marketer for the Co-operative sector. As for the goal is to organize and promote the social economics interests of both the affiliates and producer groups.

The Export Import section was started in 1987 to market handicraft products for its members locally and internationally. Today, the section works with over 20 women self help groups and 6 handicraft co-operative societies within the marginalised areas of the district. This brought together over 6000 individual members. The section sources for markets and is involved in product design and development. Education to producer members and provision of social amenities are coordinated by the section.

Their international export destinations include the Netherlands, UK, USA, Japan, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Australia, Canada and Switzerland
Other activities and services offered by MDCU include Insurance, Management and advisory services to producer groups, consumer services, accountancy book keeping, and co-operative education.

MDCU restricts the use of child labour at all stages of production, processing and delivery of the orders.

Environmental degradation is an issue of big concern. MDCU has embarked in environment conservation program to rehabilitate the forests. A tree nursery project was initiated to check on this balance. MDCU ensures a safe and conducive working environment for all the staff and at production centres. Use of safe natural processing material and AZO free chemicals in all the processing procedures, has been implemented.