Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya/photo file

Government bans SACCOS from non-core investments amid financial crisis

The government has barred all Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) in Kenya from investing in non-core business activities until proper regulations and supervisory frameworks are in place. This decision comes amid rising concerns over financial mismanagement and instability within the SACCO sector, which has seen some cooperatives plunge into financial turmoil due to unregulated…

Read More
SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) chairman Jack Ranguma/photo courtesy

SACCOs need strong IT systems, Insurance covers amid cyber-attacks rise

Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) are being challenged to tighten their systems and take insurance covers on the back of rising cyber-attacks in the era of digital transactions. Cooperatives are increasingly gaining prominence among formal and informal workers and currently hold over Sh800 billion customer deposit—a sum that makes them a target of cyber…

Read More
Jack Ranguma, the chairperson of SASRA./photo file

 SASRA decries SACCOs slow adoption of credit scores in loan appraisals

The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has expressed concern that, despite the immense value of credit scoring, SACCOs have been slow to fully adopt credit referencing, resulting in gaps in credit decision-making. The regulator also highlights challenges in implementing effective credit-scoring systems, which have hindered responsible lending and undermined long-term financial stability. However, some senior…

Read More
1President Ruto assents Anti-Money Laundering bill that empowers SASRA in regulating Saccos./photo courtesy

President Ruto assents Anti-Money Laundering bill that empowers SASRA in regulating Saccos

President William Ruto has assented to the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The head of state also signed into law the Insurance Professionals Bill (National Assembly Bills No. 13 of 2024). The Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing legislation is designed to strengthen Kenya’s framework for tackling money…

Read More
Jack Ranguma, Chairman, Board of Directors SASRA/photo file

Why SACCOs are reluctant to use Credit Scores in loan appraisals

The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has expressed concerns that while credit scoring has immense value, SACCOs have been slow to adopt credit referencing fully, creating gaps in credit decision-making. The regulator also points to challenges in implementing effective credit-scoring systems, which have hampered responsible lending and long-term financial stability. According to the latest SACCO…

Read More
PS Cooperatives Principal Patrick Kilemi ( c)with SASRA chair Jack ( l) Ranguma during Sacco Subsector Regulatory Policy and Legal Roundtable, 2024 in Naivasha

SASRA urges Sacco to embrace modern technology and strict compliance for sustainable growth

Manager of Market Conduct Supervision at the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), Anne Kago has said the financial and Sacco sector is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of regulatory trends is key to growth and compliance. Addressing a gathering of Sacco leaders and financial experts, she broke down the latest regulatory shifts shaping the industry,…

Read More

Why SACCOs are reluctant to use Credit Scores in loan appraisals

The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has expressed concerns that while credit scoring has immense value, SACCOs have been slow to adopt credit referencing fully, creating gaps in credit decision-making. The regulator also points to challenges in implementing effective credit-scoring systems, which have hampered responsible lending and long-term financial stability. According to the latest SACCO…

Read More

Parliament passes Anti-Money Laundering Laws Bill, proposes to amend Sacco Act

The National Assembly has passed the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill will see amendment of the Sacco Societies Act (Cap. 490B), empowering the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) in regulating the Saccos, the societies have mobilized deposits of members to the tune of more than ksh 1…

Read More
Don`t copy text!