The SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) is the government’s principal agency responsible for the supervision and regulation of SACCO Societies in Kenya. It is established pursuant to the provisions the Sacco Societies Act, No.14 of 2008. The Authority’s principal responsibility is to license SACCO Societies to undertake Deposit Taking Business in Kenya (FOSA) and to Supervise and regulate both Deposit Taking and Specified Non -Deposit Taking SACCO Societies.
The Authority falls within the State Department of Cooperatives under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise(MSME) Development.
What do we do?
- License SACCO Societies to carry out Deposit-Taking Business in Kenya
The Authority licenses qualifying SACCOs to undertake deposit-taking business pursuant to Section 23 of the SACCO Societies Act, as read with the SACCO Societies (Deposit Taking Business) Regulations, 2010 made thereunder.
2. Regulate and Supervise SACCO Societies in Kenya
The Authority regulates and supervises the activities of qualifying SACCOs in accordance with Section 5 of the SACCO Societies Act and the Regulations made thereunder, including the Specified Non-Deposit taking SACCO business as prescribed under Section 3 of the SACCO Societies Act and read with the SACCO Societies (Non-Deposit Taking Business) Regulations, 2020.
3. Hold, manage and apply the General Fund of the Authority in accordance with the Act
The General Fund is the statutory fund created under Section 16 of the SACCO Societies Act and is managed by the Authority in accordance with Section 5(c) of the SACCO Societies Act
4. Do all such other things as may be lawfully directed by the Cabinet Secretary
The Cabinet Secretary has powers under Section 5(e) of the SACCO Societies Act and other written legislation to issue directions to the Authority to do any lawful thing with respect to supervision and regulation of SACCOs in Kenya
5. Perform such other functions as are conferred on it by the Act or by any other written law
The Authority performs any other functions that have been assigned to it under the Act or any other written laws such as the Proceeds of Crimes and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009 as provided in Section 5(f) of the SACCO Societies Act
What are our governing Instruments?
- The Constitution of Kenya
- Sacco Societies Act No. 14 of 2008
- The SACCO Societies (Deposit Taking SACCO Business) Regulations, 2010
- The SACCO Societies (Non-Deposit Taking Business) Regulations, 2020
- Proceeds of Crimes and Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2009
Who do we regulate and supervise?
- SACCO Societies undertaking deposit-taking SACCO business (popularly referred to as DT-SACCOs.
- SACCO Societies undertaking specified non-deposit taking SACCO business (referred to as the Non-Withdrawable Deposit Taking SACCOs (NWDT-SACCOs).
Who are our current regulatees?
- 176 – DT-SACCOs
- 183 – NWDT-SACCOs
The Full list of Licensed DT-SACCOs and Authorized NWDT-SACCOs is published in the Kenya Gazette and Newspaper annually during the month of January, and subsequently maintained in the Authority’s website www.sasra.go.ke throughout the year.
Who we do not regulate or supervise.
- Non-Specified non-deposit taking SACCO business (SACCO Societies with deposits below Kshs 100 Million)
- Transport Cooperatives (popularly but erroneously referred to as Matatu SACCOs).
- Housing Cooperatives
- Investment Cooperatives
- Consumer Cooperatives
- Marketing/Production Cooperatives.