How to Check if a SACCO Is Licensed in Kenya in 2026 Before You Save or Borrow
By Kelvin Kibet | October 1, 2026
Joining a SACCO can be a useful way to save, borrow and build access to affordable credit, but the first question should not be the dividend rate or loan multiple. It should be: is this SACCO authorised to carry out the type of business it is offering?
Kenya’s SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) publishes annual lists of regulated SACCOs. In 2026, the regulator again published licensed deposit-taking SACCOs and authorised specified non-withdrawable deposit-taking SACCOs for the financial year ending December 31.
Step 1: Identify the SACCO’s exact legal name
Do not rely only on a logo, Facebook page or trading name. Ask for the SACCO’s full registered name and, where possible, its licence or authorisation number. A genuine organisation should be willing to provide this information.
This matters because a scammer can copy the name of a legitimate SACCO, create a similar social-media page or slightly alter the spelling of a known institution.
Step 2: Check the SASRA 2026 list
SASRA maintains separate regulatory lists. Deposit-taking SACCOs are licensed to operate FOSA-style deposit-taking business. Specified non-deposit-taking SACCOs are authorised under a different regulatory category.
Search the official SASRA list for the exact legal name. If the SACCO is offering regulated deposit-taking services but does not appear on the current list, do not assume an old certificate or screenshot is enough.
Step 3: Check the licence status, not just the name
SASRA can publish conditions, restrictions or changes affecting a regulated SACCO. A name appearing in an old document does not prove the institution is authorised today. Look for the current year’s status and the business activity covered by the licence.
SASRA’s own verification pages can show information such as licence validity, certificate reference, head office and approved activity. Compare these details with what the SACCO gives you.
Step 4: Confirm the payment channel
Before sending joining fees, deposits or loan repayments, confirm that the account or paybill belongs to the SACCO. Be cautious if an officer asks you to send money to a personal mobile number, unrelated business name or account that cannot be verified through the institution’s official contacts.
Step 5: Read the latest audited financial statements
A valid licence tells you the SACCO is authorised to operate; it does not guarantee that every product is suitable for you or that the institution has no financial risks. Before making a large commitment, check audited accounts, capital levels, loan quality, liquidity and the regulator’s publications where available.
For example, our updated profile of Boresha DT SACCO now distinguishes verifiable asset and membership figures from claims that could not be independently confirmed.
Step 6: Understand what SASRA does not regulate
Not every organisation called a “SACCO” falls under SASRA’s direct supervision. SASRA states that it regulates deposit-taking SACCOs and specified non-deposit-taking SACCOs, while some smaller non-withdrawable, transport, housing, investment and marketing cooperatives fall outside that specific supervisory mandate.
That does not automatically make an unregulated cooperative fraudulent. It means you should understand which law and regulator apply before assuming SASRA oversight exists.
Red flags before you deposit money
- The SACCO refuses to give its full registered name.
- You are shown an old licence but no current 2026 status.
- Payments are requested through a personal number or unrelated account.
- You are promised guaranteed, unusually high returns with no audited evidence.
- You are pressured to pay immediately before reading the by-laws or loan terms.
- The physical office, phone number and website do not match the regulator’s records.
A simple pre-joining checklist
- Verify the legal name.
- Check the current SASRA list where the business falls under SASRA.
- Confirm the licence or authorisation status.
- Verify payment channels.
- Read audited accounts and member terms.
- Understand withdrawal, share-capital and loan conditions.
- Keep receipts and copies of all agreements.
