The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority has reported a significant increase in dormant membership within regulated Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Kenya. According to official figures, dormant membership surged by 14.1 percent to reach 1.9 million accounts in 2025. This growth in inactive accounts has been steady over a five-year period, raising concerns about the level of engagement among registered members.
In 2021, dormant accounts stood at 1.181 million, with a total membership of 5.999 million. The following year, inactive members rose to 1.221 million, while overall enrollment climbed to 6.42 million. By 2023, inactive accounts expanded further to 1.447 million against 6.842 million total members. This upward trend continued in 2024, with inactive accounts swelling to 1.665 million out of 7.385 million total members.
The total membership base of regulated Saccos in Kenya has maintained consistent growth, expanding from 5.999 million in 2021 to 7.873 million in 2025. However, the parallel expansion of inactive accounts highlights that a growing share of registered members have ceased active transactions within regulated cooperative societies. This trend may have implications for the financial health and sustainability of these Saccos.
The growth in dormant membership has raised questions about the level of engagement and participation among Sacco members. It is unclear what factors are contributing to this trend, but it may be related to changes in the economic environment, shifts in consumer behavior, or issues with the services offered by Saccos. Further analysis is needed to understand the underlying causes of this trend.
The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority is responsible for overseeing the operations of Saccos in Kenya. The regulator's data highlights the need for Saccos to review their strategies and services to encourage greater member engagement and participation. This may involve improving the range of services offered, enhancing customer experience, or introducing new products that meet the evolving needs of members.
The increase in dormant membership has implications for the financial performance of Saccos. Inactive accounts may not be generating revenue for the Saccos, which could impact their ability to provide financial services to active members. Saccos may need to develop new strategies to reactivate dormant accounts and encourage greater member engagement.
The trend of growing dormant membership in regulated Saccos in Kenya highlights the need for further research and analysis. Stakeholders, including regulators, Sacco managers, and policymakers, will need to work together to understand the underlying causes of this trend and develop effective strategies to address it.
Key points
- Dormant membership in regulated Saccos in Kenya grew by 14.1% to 1.9 million accounts in 2025.
