SACCOS licenced to operate in Kenya
The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has released the official list of SACCOs licensed and authorised to operate in Kenya for the financial year ending December 31, 2025.
SASRA published the list in line with Section 28 of the Sacco Societies Act (Cap. 490B), which seeks to ensure that only compliant societies are permitted to undertake deposit-taking and non-deposit-taking SACCO business. Licensed SACCOs in Kenya.
In accordance with Regulation 8 of the Sacco Societies (Deposit-Taking Sacco Business) Regulations, 2010, a total of 178 SACCOs have been granted licenses to engage in deposit-taking business.
https://x.com/SASRA_ke/status/1884124247309910520?t=TZpW6Sw8grUclIbEVfRQDA&s=19
Under Regulation 6 of the Sacco Societies (Non-Deposit-Taking Business) Regulations, 2020, 177 SACCOs have been approved to conduct specified non-deposit-taking SACCO business. These include activities such as credit-only operations, in which funds are lent to members without the acceptance of deposits. Members of the public are encouraged to verify the licensing status of SACCOs before engaging in any transactions. The full list of licensed SACCOs can be accessed here.
Expired authorisations The notice by SASRA also noted that two SACCOs listed under Schedule III did not renew their authorisation certificates before December 31, 2024.
Consequently, their authorisations expired and have been automatically revoked as per Regulation 10 of the 2020 Regulations.
These SACCOs are now prohibited from undertaking any form of regulated SACCO business in Kenya effective January 1, 2025.
SASRA has noted that all licensed SACCOs must display their original license or authorization certificates at their head offices and branches and advised members of the public to cease engagements with unlicensed SACCOs. “That any member of the public, person or entity who transacts or continues to transact deposit taking Sacco business or specified nondeposit taking Sacco business, with a Sacco society or any other entity which does not have a valid license or authorisation for the Authority, shall be doing so at his/her own risk and peril,” SASRA warned.
SASRA also warned public and private sector entities to cease facilitating unlicensed SACCOs through deductions, remittances, or digital payment platforms. These activities enable illegal SACCO businesses, putting members’ funds at risk and undermining the integrity of the regulated SACCO sector.
SACCOs paying dividends in 2025 Meanwhile, according to the annual reports and financial statements of Kenya’s top deposit-taking (DT) SACCOs, members have bagged dividends of up to 20% in January 2025. As of January 25, 2025, several tier-one SACCOs declared dividends on share capital and interests on member deposits. For example, Tower, Ports, Ollin, Winners, and Solution SACCO among others have paid out dividends in January 2025.
SACCOs Paying Kenyans High Dividends up to 20% in January 2025
Kenyans’ SACCO savings increased by 9.95% to KSh 682.19 billion from KSh 620.45 billion, attributed to heightened member confidence.
According to the SACCO Annual Supervisory Report 2023, the number of SACCO Society Regulatory Authority (SASRA) regulated SACCOs in Kenya grew to 357.
Speaking during the release of the report in September 2024, Co-operative and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Wycliffe Oparanya stated that SACCOs have the potential to be powerful drivers of Kenya’s economy. “SACCOs have the potential to be powerful drivers of economic growth and social development in Kenya. By strengthening their governance and providing them with the necessary tools and support, we can unleash their full potential,” said Oparanya.
Oparanya’s remarks came true following the SACCOs’ annual general meetings (AGMs) in 2025, showing how different societies performed in 2024. According to the annual reports and financial statements of Kenya’s top deposit-taking (DT) SACCOs, members have bagged dividends of up to 20% in January 2025.
- Tower SACCO
- Ports SACCO
- Ollin SACCO
- Winas SACCO
- Cosmopolitan SACCO
SASRA recommended that smaller SACCOs explore mergers and amalgamations to achieve economies of scale and enhance competitiveness. Top-tier SACCOs like Stima and Mwalimu National, among others, disbursed loans of up to KSh 40 billion in the period.
