Sacco Review Newspaper

🟠KNBS Economic Survey 2026: Kenya dairy sector hits record 5.5 million tonnes as New KCC battles losses

Kenya’s dairy farmers are producing more milk than ever before, and the numbers to prove it are finally here.

Fresh milk production hit 5.5 million tonnes in 2025, a 3.5% increase from the previous year and the third consecutive record, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Economic Survey 2026 released on April 30, 2026.

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🟠 SASRA urges borrowers to understand full housing loan costs

Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority says borrowers seeking land or housing loans should consider the full cost of borrowing beyond interest rates.

According to a joint report by SASRA, KMRC and FSD, mortgage related costs including legal fees, valuation fees, and stamp duty can amount to about 9% to 10% of the loan value.

🟠Kenyan coffee farmers earn Ksh1.75B more through direct export sales in March

Kenyan coffee farmers, cooperatives, and exporters earned significantly higher returns from direct coffee export sales in March 2026 as international buyers continued paying premium prices for high-quality and traceable Kenyan coffee outside the traditional auction system.

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🟠 55 nominees shortlisted for 2026 African Banker Awards

The shortlist for the 2026 African Banker Awards has been unveiled, with 55 nominees recognized for outstanding contributions to Africa’s banking and financial sector.

Winners will be announced on 27th May in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo during the African Development Bank Annual Meetings.

The awards celebrate innovation, sustainability, and transformative banking initiatives across the continent.

🟠 Kenya, France sign 11 agreements at Africa Forward Summit

Kenya and France have signed 11 agreements covering transport, energy, trade, ports, digital transformation, and the blue economy during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.

President William Ruto said the agreements followed bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, describing the summit as a major step in strengthening Kenya France relations.

Key deals include the Nairobi Central Station to Embakasi Rail Line 5 project, cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy use, development of the Masinga Dam project, sustainable aviation fuel production, port expansion, and promotion of Kenya’s purple tea exports.

The summit is also the first time the Africa Forward Summit is being hosted in a non Francophone African country.

🟠 Kenyan banks and leaders shine in 2026 African Banker Awards shortlist

Kenya has secured several nominations in the 2026 African Banker Awards, with Dr James Mwangi of Equity Group shortlisted for the prestigious Banker of the Year award.

Co-op Bank Kenya and Equity Bank Kenya also earned nominations in the Bank of the Year and SME Bank of the Year categories, while Co operative Bank was further recognised in the Sustainable Bank of the Year category.

The winners will be announced on 27th May in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo during the African Development Bank Annual Meetings.

🟠 High Court orders Safaricom to pay KSh 1.4 billion in M PESA copyright case

Kenya’s High Court has ordered Safaricom PLC to pay KSh 1.4 billion in damages to innovator Peter Nthei Muoki and Beluga Ltd after finding the telecom giant infringed copyright in developing a parental control feature within M PESA.

The court also directed Safaricom to continue paying royalties equivalent to 0.5% of M PESA revenue as long as the feature remains active.

The dispute centered on the “M Teen Mobile Wallet” concept shared with Safaricom executives in 2021 before a similar feature was launched in 2022.

Ack Imani Talent Sacco hosted the Mother’s Union Team from the ACK Diocese of Machakos led by Rt Rev Patrick Kyalo Munuve and Mother’s Union President Mrs Jemima Kyalo.

The delegation was accompanied by the Mother’s Union Team from the ACK Diocese of Nakuru led by Mrs Lucy Mambo.

The engagement highlighted unity, collaboration, and community empowerment through faith based partnerships.

🟠 Workers earning below Sh50,000 miss out on proposed PAYE relief

Employees earning below Sh50,000 will not receive the expected PAYE tax cuts after the proposal was excluded from the Finance Bill 2026.

The Treasury CS had earlier proposed reducing PAYE for low income earners, but the changes did not make it into the final Bill.

🟠 Over 10,000 SACCOs face licence risk over non compliance

More than 10,000 SACCOs in Kenya have been given a three month deadline to file financial and regulatory returns or risk losing their licences.

Out of the country’s 13,000 SACCOs, only 2,700 are currently compliant, raising concerns over governance and regulatory adherence in the sector.

🟠 New Finance Bill proposal could allow KRA to access disputed tax funds

A proposal under the Finance Bill 2026 seeks to allow Kenya Revenue Authority to freeze or recover money linked to a tax dispute even when an appeal is ongoing.

This means funds held in banks, SACCOs, or mobile money platforms such as M Pesa could be frozen or remitted to KRA before the dispute is fully resolved.