The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) is pushing for a mandatory Credit Information Sharing (CIS) mechanism to enhance financial sustainability among Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs).
SASRA Chief Executive Officer Peter Njuguna said there is a need to legislate full-file sharing, arguing it would bridge information gaps and enable SACCOs to make better-informed lending decisions.
Speaking at the SACCO Leadership Forum hosted by Metropol in Nairobi, Njuguna said, “the CIS mechanism has existed for nearly two decades, with efforts focused on raising awareness and building capacity. The reluctance isn’t deliberate—it’s about enacting the right laws.”
He said mandating full-file sharing would align SACCOs with other financial institutions already using risk-based pricing.
Metropol CRB CEO Gideon Kipyakwai echoed Njuguna’s call, that that full-file sharing would improve borrowers’ creditworthiness and reduce Non-Performing Loans (NPLs), which currently stand at 8% for SACCOs.
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“When SACCOs, digital lenders, microfinance banks, and commercial banks leverage data and analytics for credit scoring, creditworthiness becomes a powerful asset. This can lower NPLs and pave the way for reduced interest rates,” said Kipyakwai.
Over the past three years, regulated SACCOs have reported portfolios at risk exceeding 8%, with rising NPLs threatening profitability and asset quality.
This could be linked to selective borrowing in the sector, with CIS Kenya CEO Jared Getenga cautioning against selective borrower listing with Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs).
He called for SACCOs to embrace comprehensive data sharing.
“The CIS framework benefits both lenders and borrowers, but only with complete data submission. Incomplete engagement leaves consumer credit profiles at bureaus fragmented, undermining credit scores,” he said.
Despite its value, SASRA noted that the SACCO sector has been slow to adopt credit referencing fully, creating gaps in credit decision-making.
The regulator also pointed to challenges in implementing effective credit-scoring systems, which have hampered responsible lending and long-term financial stability.
To bolster membership growth and resilience, industry leaders urged SACCOs to embrace technology, innovate products, and diversify income streams.
These steps, they argued, would enhance liquidity and advance financial inclusion across the sector.
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