The SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has issued a reminder to all deposit-taking (DT) SACCOs to apply for the renewal of their operating licenses for the year 2026.
In a notice released this week, SASRA emphasized that all DT SACCOs must comply with Section 25 of the SACCO Societies Act, read together with Regulation 5 of the SACCO Societies (Deposit-Taking SACCO Business) Regulations of 2010. The law requires every licensed DT SACCO to submit applications for license renewal at least ninety (90) days before the expiry of the current license.
According to SASRA, the application window for the 2026 licenses is now open and will close on 30th September 2025. SACCOs are required to file their renewal applications in line with the Guidance Note and the License Application Checklist available on the regulator’s website, www.sasra.go.ke.
The regulator further stated that the official list of licensed DT SACCOs for 2026 will be published on or before 31st January 2026. This list will serve as a public reference to verify which institutions are duly authorized to operate.
SASRA warned that operating without a valid license is illegal and urged members of the public to confirm the licensing status of any SACCO before engaging in financial transactions.
“Operating a SACCO without a valid license is illegal. Members of the public are encouraged to verify the licensing status of any SACCO Society from the published list before undertaking any financial transactions,”
the notice read.
The regulatory body also provided a contact email, policy@sasra.go.ke, for inquiries relating to the licensing process.
SACCOs play a critical role in Kenya’s financial system, mobilizing savings and providing affordable credit to millions of Kenyans. With over 350 registered DT SACCOs, SASRA has continued to enforce compliance standards to safeguard members’ deposits and strengthen governance across the cooperative movement.
By reiterating licensing timelines, SASRA aims to ensure transparency, enhance consumer protection, and maintain the stability of the SACCO sub-sector, which remains a backbone of Kenya’s financial inclusion agenda.