As of January 2026, the Kenyan regulated SACCO sector has officially surpassed the trillion-shilling mark, driven by aggressive digital adoption, resilient member deposits, and consistently high returns.
This milestone reinforces SACCOs as one of the most reliable long-term wealth vehicles for Kenyan professionals, SMEs, and disciplined savers.
Top Tier 1 SACCOs by Financial Strength and Member Returns (2026)
| SACCO Name | Total Assets (Ksh Bn) | Dividend on Share Capital | Interest on Deposits | Market Edge & Digital Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mwalimu National SACCO | 68.89 | 13% | 10% | Largest SACCO in Kenya; dominant in education sector |
| Stima DT SACCO | 66.51 | 16% | 11% | 2025 Corporate of the Year; strong ICT & USSD (*492#) |
| Kenya National Police SACCO | 59.97 | 17% | 11% | High stability rating; M-Tawi app & USSD *653# |
| Harambee DT SACCO | 38.90 | 12% | 8.5% | Major civil service SACCO; crossed Ksh 38B milestone |
| Tower SACCO | 28.04 | 20% | 13% | Highest market returns; fastest Tier 1 asset growth |
| Mentor SACCO | 15.75 | 15% | 12.4% | Strong deposit mobilization & financial stability |
| Winas SACCO | 14.44 | 16% | 12.5% | High deposit-to-loan conversion; regional strength |
| NewFortis SACCO | 11.84 | 14% | 13% | Operational efficiency & competitive rebates |
| Port DT SACCO | 10.54 | 20% | 12.5% | Consistent high yields for transport & coastal members |
| Yetu SACCO | 7.86 | 19% | 13% | Rapid growth in MSME and micro-finance lending |
Key SACCO Market Indicators (January 2026)
- Trillion-Shilling Milestone:
Regulated SACCO assets reached Ksh 1.13 trillion by late 2025, accounting for over 6.4% of Kenya’s GDP. - Digital Dominance:
USSD remains the most inclusive channel, with over 21 million Kenyans using codes like *492# (Stima) and *653# (Police) for balances, loans, and transactions. - Regulatory Shift (2026):
The Finance Bill 2025, effective January 1, 2026, introduced new tax and reporting compliance standards for all regulated SACCOs. - Highest Returns:
Tower SACCO and Port DT SACCO continue to lead the market with 20% dividends on share capital.
Best SACCOs in Kenya (2026): Quick Picks
If you are looking for the best SACCO to join in Kenya in 2026, these institutions stand out based on dividends, loan terms, stability, and digital access:
- Stima DT SACCO – Best overall for stable dividends and affordable long-term loans
- Kenya Police SACCO – Highest dividends, but restricted membership
- Safaricom SACCO – Best for private-sector employees and digital convenience
- Mwalimu National SACCO – Ideal for teachers and long-term savers
- Sheria SACCO – Strong dividend performance with flexible savings options
👉 The right SACCO depends on your income stability, borrowing goals, and liquidity needs.
Find out more about where to invest in 2026 in our comprehensive guide
The SACCO Advantage in the 2026 Economy
Why SACCOs Are the Ultimate Financial Tool for Millennials
The SACCO movement has evolved from a grassroots cooperative model into Kenya’s most powerful middle-class wealth engine.
For millennials facing:
- Rising living costs
- Income volatility
- Declining government yields
SACCOs offer a rare combination of:
- High returns
- Low-cost leverage
- Member ownership
As Treasury bill rates decline and banks tighten lending, SACCOs are increasingly becoming the financial anchor for disciplined savers and asset-focused investors.
The Trillion-Shilling Mandate: Why Scale Matters
By 2024, the regulated SACCO sector had already crossed Ksh 1 trillion in total assets, growing from Ksh 972 billion in 2023 to Ksh 1.07 trillion.
This scale signals:
- Institutional stability
- Strong oversight by SASRA
- Long-term resilience to macroeconomic shocks
For members, this translates into predictable dividends and safer long-term savings.
The Triple Value Proposition Banks Can’t Match
- Ownership & Dividends
Members own the SACCO and earn dividends based on share capital. - Higher Returns on Savings
Deposits consistently outperform bank savings accounts. - Affordable Credit
Loan rates often remain below 12% on a reducing balance.
Loan Rates, Dividends & the 0.10% Levy
A 0.10% annual levy on non-withdrawable deposits, introduced in 2024, remains in force in 2026.
Well-managed SACCOs absorb this cost internally rather than cutting dividends — making annual reports and transparency critical when choosing where to save.
Understanding the SACCO Capital Structure (Critical)
The Three Pillars of SACCO Membership
| Component | Purpose | Withdrawable | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share Capital | Ownership & regulatory capital | ❌ No | Dividends |
| BOSA Deposits | Loan collateral | ❌ No (refundable on exit) | Interest + loan leverage |
| FOSA Deposits | Liquidity & transactions | ✅ Yes | Flexibility |
Key insight:
After meeting minimum share capital, wealth creation comes from maximizing BOSA deposits, not FOSA balances.
Where SACCO Money Is Going (2024–2026)
In 2024 alone, SACCOs disbursed Ksh 542 billion in new loans, mainly into:
- Land & Housing: 25.3%
- Education: Ksh 119.49 billion
- Agriculture: Ksh 108.9 billion
This confirms SACCOs as Kenya’s primary asset-financing institutions for the middle class.
Digital Transformation: Competing With Fintech
By 2026, SACCOs offer:
- Mobile apps, USSD, instant loans
- 345 new digital and micro-loan products (2024)
- AI-driven credit scoring and support
The upcoming SACCO Central Kenya (SCK) platform is expected to further reduce costs and improve service consistency.
Risks Every SACCO Member Must Watch (2026)
- Governance Failure & Fraud – Always verify SASRA regulation
- Employer Non-Remittance – Ksh 3.5B unremitted in 2024
- Over-Leverage – Easy loans can quietly destroy cash flow
How SACCOs Fit Into a Broader Investment Strategy
SACCOs work best when combined with:
- Money Market Funds for liquidity
- Clear accounting systems to manage affordability
👉 If you run a business or side hustle, poor records can limit how much you can save or borrow.
Get Accounting Advice → Outsource Accounting in Kenya
Final Verdict: Are SACCOs Worth It in 2026?
Yes — but only if you are strategic.
- Winning strategy:
- Back everything with proper financial records
- Meet minimum share capital
- Aggressively grow BOSA deposits
- Use FOSA only for liquidity
- Borrow for assets, not consumption
People Also Ask
In 2026, Tower SACCO and Port DT SACCO are among the highest dividend-paying SACCOs in Kenya, each reporting dividends of up to 20% on share capital. However, high dividends should be evaluated alongside asset quality, governance, and loan policies to ensure sustainability.
A SACCO is better for long-term wealth building and access to affordable loans, while a money market fund is better for short-term liquidity and emergency savings. Many disciplined investors in Kenya combine both—using MMFs for cash access and SACCOs for compounding savings and leverage.
Yes, you can legally join multiple SACCOs in Kenya as long as you meet each SACCO’s membership requirements. Many professionals use one SACCO for long-term savings and another for specialized benefits such as business loans or sector-specific dividends.
