Updated 28 October 2026
The biggest and best-capitalised Saccos in Kenya are Mwalimu National, Stima, Kenya National Police DT, Harambee and Tower, according to the latest Sacco Supervision Annual Report from the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA). But “best” depends on what you want: a high dividend, a cheap loan, a safe home for savings or a Sacco you can actually join. This guide ranks the top deposit-taking Saccos using SASRA’s official 2024 figures, shows which ones have the strongest capital and cleanest loan books, and explains how to pick one that fits you.
Every figure below comes from the SASRA Sacco Supervision Annual Report 2024, which covers the year to December 31, 2024 and was released in September 2025. It is the most recent full official dataset.
In this guide
The Sacco Sector at a Glance
- SASRA regulated 357 Saccos in 2024: 177 deposit-taking (DT) Saccos and 178 non-withdrawable deposit-taking Saccos.
- Total assets of regulated Saccos grew 10.72% to KSh 1.08 trillion, crossing the trillion mark for the first time.
- The average dividend on share capital fell to 10.46% in 2024 from 10.92% in 2023. DT Saccos paid an average of 10.54%.
- The average interest on member deposits fell to 7.14% from 7.45%.
- SASRA says both rates were above what commercial banks paid on savings, by about 6.32 percentage points for dividends and 3 points for deposit interest.
Those averages are a useful benchmark. A Sacco paying well below 7% on deposits is paying less than its peers, while one promising far above the averages deserves a closer look at where the money comes from.
Biggest Saccos in Kenya by Total Assets (2024)
Size is not everything, but large Saccos tend to have bigger loan pools, more branches and better digital services. Here are the 15 largest deposit-taking Saccos, ranked by SASRA.
| Rank | Sacco | Total assets 2024 (KSh bn) | Member deposits 2024 (KSh bn) | Gross loans 2024 (KSh bn) | Asset growth vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mwalimu National DT | 68.89 | 52.19 | 47.99 | 3.7% |
| 2 | Stima DT | 66.51 | 46.69 | 54.89 | 12.4% |
| 3 | Kenya National Police DT | 59.83 | 34.51 | 51.86 | 10.3% |
| 4 | Harambee DT | 38.70 | 26.24 | 32.61 | 0.3% |
| 5 | Tower | 28.04 | 20.99 | 22.60 | 20.7% |
| 6 | Unaitas | 26.12 | 14.70 | 19.95 | 15.1% |
| 7 | Imarisha | 24.58 | 17.99 | 19.75 | 12.9% |
| 8 | Afya* | 22.79 | 17.41 | 12.87 | not reported |
| 9 | United Nations | 19.15 | 14.62 | 13.40 | 5.2% |
| 10 | Hazina | 16.87 | 12.47 | 11.72 | 14.8% |
| 11 | Gusii Mwalimu | 16.24 | 11.20 | 14.78 | 13.6% |
| 12 | Mentor | 15.75 | 11.89 | 11.65 | 16.9% |
| 13 | Apstar DT | 15.68 | 11.10 | 12.81 | 3.3% |
| 14 | Invest and Grow (IG) | 14.64 | 8.65 | 12.63 | 4.1% |
| 15 | Imarika | 14.57 | 9.35 | 12.63 | 11.1% |
*SASRA’s appendix shows identical 2023 and 2024 figures for Afya Sacco, which suggests its 2024 numbers were carried forward. Treat its row with caution.
Tower Sacco grew fastest among the top ten, adding about 20.7% to its assets, while Harambee was almost flat. See the Tower Sacco branches, Hazina Sacco branches and Winas Sacco branches for local contacts.
Strongest Saccos by Capital and Loan Quality
For savers, safety matters more than size. SASRA sets minimum capital ratios: core capital must be at least 10% of total assets and at least 8% of deposits. The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio shows how much of the loan book is not being repaid. Lower is better.
| Sacco | Core capital to total assets (min 10%) | Core capital to deposits (min 8%) | Non-performing loans ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya National Police DT | 34.36% | 59.57% | 2.42% |
| Unaitas | 32.90% | 58.45% | 10.40% |
| Invest and Grow (IG) | 31.66% | 53.60% | 3.16% |
| Winas | 40.50% | 79.14% | 2.56% |
| Stima DT | 19.22% | 27.38% | 6.53% |
| Harambee DT | 18.34% | 27.04% | 2.29% |
| Imarisha | 17.55% | 23.99% | 1.04% |
| Hazina | 16.61% | 22.47% | 1.37% |
| Tower | 15.15% | 20.24% | 4.24% |
| Mwalimu National DT | 14.01% | 18.49% | 8.26% |
A few takeaways from SASRA’s numbers:
- Kenya National Police DT and Winas hold capital several times above the minimum, with low bad loans.
- Imarisha and Hazina had the cleanest loan books among large Saccos, with NPL ratios near 1%.
- Unaitas is very well capitalised, but about 10.4% of its loans were non-performing.
- Mwalimu National, the biggest Sacco, saw its NPL ratio rise from 4.64% in 2023 to 8.26% in 2024, though its capital ratio improved.
Best Saccos by What You Need
For dividends
Dividends are paid on share capital and decided at each Sacco’s annual general meeting, usually between February and May. Large Saccos with strong income tend to pay steady dividends. Use our Sacco dividend calculator or the Sacco-specific tools such as the Stima Sacco dividend calculator, Mwalimu National dividend calculator, Kenya National Police DT dividend calculator, Harambee Sacco dividend calculator and Tower Sacco dividend calculator to estimate a payout from your own share balance.
For loans
Most Saccos lend up to three or four times your deposits, so the Sacco with the biggest loan book is not automatically best for you. Compare interest rates, how long you must save before borrowing and guarantor rules. Stima and Kenya National Police DT had the two largest loan books in 2024, at KSh 54.89 billion and KSh 51.86 billion, ahead of Mwalimu National at KSh 47.99 billion. Our Sacco loan calculators and the bank vs Sacco loans comparison help you work out repayments.
For savings
Interest on deposits (often called a rebate) is paid on your non-withdrawable deposits. With the 2024 average at 7.14%, look for a Sacco paying at or above that, with capital well above SASRA’s minimums.
For joining
Many big Saccos began with a closed common bond, such as teachers for Mwalimu National and Gusii Mwalimu, power-sector staff for Stima or police officers for Kenya National Police DT. Several have since opened membership more widely, while others remain limited. Check each Sacco’s membership rules on its own website or at a branch before you plan around it.
How to Choose a Sacco: A Checklist
- Confirm it is licensed. Only Saccos on SASRA’s list can take deposits. See how to check if a Sacco is licensed by SASRA, the SASRA licensed Saccos list or our licensed lender and Sacco checker.
- Check capital and bad loans. Use the table above or the latest SASRA report.
- Compare dividend and deposit rates over at least three years, not just the latest one.
- Read the loan rules: multiple of deposits, waiting period, rates and guarantors.
- Understand exit rules. Deposits are usually refunded only after a notice period when you leave, and share capital is transferred, not withdrawn.
- Test the service: mobile app, M-Pesa paybill, branch access and how fast they answer the phone.
New to the terms? Our Sacco glossary explains shares, deposits, rebates and guarantors, and our piece on the risks and rewards of investing in Saccos covers what can go wrong.
Several large Saccos also hire for credit, finance and marketing roles. See current openings on JobinKenya.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the biggest Sacco in Kenya?
Mwalimu National DT Sacco, with total assets of KSh 68.89 billion at the end of 2024, according to SASRA. Stima DT was second at KSh 66.51 billion.
What is the average Sacco dividend in Kenya?
SASRA reports that regulated Saccos paid an average dividend of 10.46% on share capital in 2024, and an average of 7.14% interest on deposits.
How many Saccos are licensed by SASRA?
SASRA regulated 357 Saccos in 2024, made up of 177 deposit-taking Saccos and 178 non-withdrawable deposit-taking Saccos.
Is my money safe in a Sacco?
A SASRA-licensed Sacco must meet capital, liquidity and reporting rules, which lowers the risk. Check that it is licensed and that its capital ratios are well above the minimums before depositing.
Can anyone join Stima or Mwalimu Sacco?
Membership rules differ by Sacco and change over time. Check the Sacco’s official website or visit a branch to confirm whether you qualify.
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