Herencia and Stima Sacco Partner on Plot Financing for Buyers

By Herencia Comms Team

In a world where inflation bites, layoffs loom, and the cost of living keeps climbing, Kenyans are rethinking their financial strategies. Gone are the days when saving under the mattress or waiting on uncertain bank returns felt safe. Today, more and more people are asking: Where can I grow my money, and still sleep at night?

The answer, for millions, lies in a quiet but powerful movement that’s been reshaping financial behaviour across the country: SACCOs. Long before digital apps and flashy fintechs, there were chamas; humble table banking groups fueled by trust and community. What began as grassroots savings circles has now evolved into a robust cooperative banking system, offering structured, member-owned financial services that combine trust with returns.

Indeed, SACCOs have not just survived the times—they have thrived. And they are proving that financial security isn’t reserved for the wealthy; it’s accessible to everyday Kenyans who choose to come together. SACCOs are no longer just rural saving schemes—they are structured, regulated, and increasingly sophisticated financial institutions serving millions across all walks of life.

According to the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA), Kenya currently boasts 353 licensed SACCOs with 178 of them deposit-taking and 177 operating as non-deposit-taking. These numbers are more than statistics; they reflect the rising confidence in cooperatives as a path to financial empowerment.

The sector’s 2023/2024 supervisory report revealed impressive growth: membership rose by 6.57% to reach 6.84 million, total assets jumped to KSh 971.96 billion (a 9.17% increase), and deposits grew by 9.95%, slightly outpacing 2022’s rate. Even more notably, SACCOs disbursed loans totaling KSh 758.57 billion—an 11.5% increase from the previous year.

In a landscape where some financial institutions falter under pressure, a few SACCOs have distinguished themselves with consistency, trustworthiness, and innovation. Stima Sacco is one such standout.

Originally established to serve professionals in the energy sector, Stima Sacco has grown far beyond its roots. Today, it serves members across industries—offering savings, loans, and investment products tailored to real needs. While some SACCOs have struggled with mismanagement or poor governance, Stima Sacco has built a reputation for financial discipline, transparency, and strong returns.

In the financial year 2024, Stima Sacco crossed a historic milestone: surpassing KSh 10 billion in revenue for the first time, driven by solid interest and investment income. Its core capital rose from KSh 10.6 billion to KSh 13.4 billion, pushing the statutory capital adequacy ratio from 17.94% to 20.22%. Liquidity levels also improved significantly—from 90.08% to 94.95%—strengthening the SACCO’s ability to meet both short- and long-term financial obligations.

Meanwhile, the share capital grew by 22%, reaching KSh 4 billion, and membership expanded to 220,650—up from 200,145 the previous year. These numbers are not just indicators of performance—they are a testament to the trust that members continue to place in Stima Sacco year after year.

This kind of success inspires partnerships and at Herencia, we are proud to be part of the next chapter in Stima Sacco’s journey. We’ve signed a property financing Memorandum of Understanding that will empower both current and new Stima Sacco members to access buy-and-build financing in one of the most sought-after, master-planned gated communities in the greater Nairobi Metropolitan area.

For us, this partnership goes beyond bricks and mortar. It’s about turning financial empowerment into real, lasting impact—helping Kenyans transform their savings into security, their aspirations into assets, and their dreams into beautiful, dignified homes they can call their own for generations to come.