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Safety & Due Diligence

How to Check Whether a SACCO Is Licensed or Authorized by SASRA in Kenya

Do not rely on a badge, social post or old certificate. Use SASRA’s current official list and match the SACCO name carefully.

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Before sending money to a SACCO, verify the status that actually applies to the business it is offering. SASRA publishes annual public lists for regulated SACCO categories, including licensed deposit-taking societies and authorised specified non-deposit-taking societies.

Important: This guide is educational. A SACCO's current by-laws, approved product terms, formal loan offer and official regulatory status are the authoritative sources for decisions about your money.

1. Start on SASRA’s official website

Use the official SASRA domain, sasra.go.ke. Avoid treating screenshots, forwarded PDFs or third-party rankings as the final authority.

2. Choose the correct list

If you are checking deposit-taking SACCO business, use SASRA's licensed DT-SACCO list. For specified non-deposit-taking business, use the relevant authorised list. SASRA explains that both categories have specific legal requirements.

3. Use the current financial year

Status is published by year. In 2026, SASRA has a list for the financial year ending 31 December 2026. Do not rely solely on a licence image from an older year.

4. Match the legal name carefully

Compare the exact society name. Marketing names, abbreviations and social-media page names can differ from the registered legal name. If you are uncertain, ask the SACCO for its registration details and contact SASRA or the relevant co-operative authority for clarification.

5. Confirm that the service matches the status

A listing should not be interpreted more broadly than the regulated activity it covers. For example, a claim to offer deposit-taking business should be checked against the deposit-taking licence list.

What if you cannot find the SACCO?

Do not jump to a conclusion based on one search. Check spelling and the relevant category, ask the SACCO for its legal registration details, and verify through official channels before transacting. Some co-operatives may not fall into the same SASRA-regulated category, but they still should be able to explain their legal and regulatory status accurately.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find the 2026 SASRA SACCO list?+

SASRA publishes the current lists on its official website under licensed and authorised SACCO resources.

Is a registration certificate the same as a SASRA licence?+

No. Co-operative registration and authorization or licensing for specific regulated SACCO business are distinct concepts.

Should I trust a SACCO licence posted on social media?+

Use it only as a prompt to verify. Confirm the current status on SASRA’s official website or through the appropriate regulator.

Official sources & further reading

Regulatory information can change. Use the current official source before acting.

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