Updated 2 November 2026
Stima vs Harambee Sacco: Stima DT Sacco paid more for 2025, with a 16% dividend on share capital and 11% on deposits, against Harambee DT Sacco’s 15% and 9.1%. On loans the two are close: both charge 12% a year on their main development loan, but Stima lets you borrow 4 times your deposits over 60 months while Harambee lends 3 times over 48 months. Harambee is friendlier to new members, with its Karibu loan open one month after joining, and its M-Boosta mobile loan goes up to KSh 70,000.
Updated November 2026 from Stima DT Sacco’s member FAQ, loan products and 2026 dividend announcement, and Harambee DT Sacco’s BOSA and FOSA loan pages and 2026 delegates meeting results. This is information, not financial advice.
Stima vs Harambee Sacco: side by side
| Item | Stima DT Sacco | Harambee DT Sacco |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend on share capital (FY2025) | 16% | 15% |
| Interest on deposits (FY2025) | 11% | 9.1% |
| Main development loan | Normal loan: 12% a year, 4x deposits, 60 months | Development loan: 1% a month (12% a year) reducing, 3x savings, 48 months |
| Longest loan | Makaazi Poa home loan, 144 months; Premium 13%, 96 months | Inuka 96: 15.5% a year, 4x, 96 months |
| Loan for new members | After 3 months and KSh 25,000 share capital | Karibu loan, 1 month after joining: 1.25% a month, 4x, 72 months |
| Emergency / school fees | SOSA loan: 15%, 4x, 24 months | Emergency and School Fees: 1% a month flat, 3x, 12 months |
| Mobile loan | Mpawa: up to KSh 120,000, 6 months (*489#) | M-Boosta: up to KSh 70,000, 30 days, 6% flat |
| Land purchase | Via Premium or Mwangaza loans | Shamba loan: up to KSh 2m (80% of price), 48 months |
Dividends: Stima vs Harambee Sacco returns
Harambee held its dividend at 15% for 2025 and nudged deposit interest up to 9.1% from 9%. Stima paid 16% on shares and an 11% rebate on Alpha deposits. A member holding KSh 25,000 in shares and KSh 500,000 in deposits all year would earn roughly:
- Stima: KSh 4,000 + KSh 55,000 = about KSh 59,000 before 5% withholding tax.
- Harambee: KSh 3,750 + KSh 45,500 = about KSh 49,250 before withholding tax.
That is about KSh 9,750 more a year at Stima on the same savings. Run your numbers with the Stima Sacco dividend calculator and the Harambee Sacco dividend calculator.
Loans: same headline rate, different terms
Both main loans cost 12% a year on a reducing balance, so the difference is the term and multiplier. KSh 1 million costs about KSh 22,244 a month at Stima over 60 months and about KSh 26,334 a month at Harambee over 48 months. Stima’s longer term lowers the monthly payment but adds interest overall; Harambee’s shorter term clears the loan sooner.
For longer loans, Stima’s Premium loan at 13% over 96 months costs about KSh 16,807 a month on KSh 1 million, while Harambee’s Inuka 96 at 15.5% costs about KSh 18,236. Harambee’s Emergency and School Fees loans are charged at 1% a month flat, which works out dearer than the same rate on a reducing balance. See the full Harambee Sacco loans chart and our Stima Sacco loan calculator.
Mobile loans
- Stima Mpawa: up to KSh 120,000, repaid over six months, on *489#.
- Harambee M-Boosta: up to KSh 70,000 for 30 days at a flat 6%, through Harambee M-Cash, with no guarantors.
- Harambee YOLO: KSh 2,500 to KSh 10,000 for 7 days at 10% deducted upfront. Expensive if used often.
- Stima Funika: up to KSh 15,000 for 30 days at 1% a day. Also expensive.
Which is better: Stima or Harambee Sacco?
- For savers: Stima, which paid more on both shares and deposits.
- For a big long-term loan: Stima, with a 4x multiplier and longer terms at 12% to 13%.
- For new members who need credit soon: Harambee’s Karibu loan after one month.
- For land buyers: Harambee’s Shamba loan, up to KSh 2 million.
- For civil servants: Harambee was founded for public servants and runs check-off with many government employers.
Comparing more Saccos? See Tower Sacco loans, Police Sacco loans and bank vs Sacco loans.
Before you join either Sacco
Ask for the current by-laws and loan policy, the exit notice period for withdrawing deposits, and any monthly risk or benevolent fund charges. Stima, for example, deducts a KSh 125 monthly risk fund that pays twice your deposits to your beneficiaries if you die.
Sources
- Stima DT Sacco: products and member FAQ
- Harambee DT Sacco: BOSA and FOSA loans
- SASRA: licensed deposit-taking Saccos
Frequently asked questions
Stima vs Harambee Sacco: which pays more?
Stima. For 2025 it paid 16% on share capital and 11% on deposits, against Harambee’s 15% and 9.1%.
How soon can a new member borrow?
At Harambee, one month after joining through the Karibu loan. At Stima, after three months and full share capital of KSh 25,000.
Which Sacco lends more against my savings?
Stima’s Normal loan lends 4 times deposits and its Premium loan 5 times. Harambee’s Development loan lends 3 times savings, and its Karibu, Jisaidie, Inuka and Shamba loans 4 times.
Are Stima and Harambee licensed by SASRA?
Both are deposit-taking Saccos. Check the current SASRA licensed list before you deposit with any Sacco.
Prefer WhatsApp? Follow Business Radar on WhatsApp
Weekly, free. We only use your email for this newsletter and you can unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy.
