How to Check Your CRB Status & Get a Clearance Certificate
A bad CRB listing can block you from loans, jobs, and even rental agreements. This guide covers every method to check, dispute, and clear your CRB record in Kenya.
What is CRB and Why Does it Matter?
Kenya has three licensed Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs): Metropol, TransUnion (CreditInfo), and Creditinfo Kenya. Lenders share your repayment history with them. A bad listing — called a "negative listing" — means you missed a payment above KES 1,000 on a regulated loan.
Blocks bank loans
No bank will lend to a CRB-listed person
Blocks loan apps
Tala, Branch, M-Shwari all check CRB
Affects employment
Some employers check CRB for finance roles
Step 1: Check Your CRB Status
Metropol CRB
Fastest — via USSD
Free basic check
Dial *433#Works on any Safaricom line. Gives basic pass/fail status.
Full credit report — KES 50
Visit metropol.co.ke or dial *433# and select "Credit Report." Shows all listings with full details.
Clearance certificate — KES 2,200
Available at metropol.co.ke after all listings are cleared. Needed for jobs and bank applications.
TransUnion CreditInfo
Most detailed report
Free annual report
You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each CRB under the Banking Act. Apply at creditinfo.co.ke
Additional reports — KES 50–200
Visit creditinfo.co.ke, create an account, and request your report online. Results in 24 hours.
Clearance certificate — KES 2,200
Same price as Metropol. Some employers and banks accept either bureau's certificate.
Step 2: If You Are Listed — How to Clear It
Find out who listed you
1 dayYour full credit report shows the institution name, amount, and date of listing. Download the full report from Metropol or TransUnion to identify all negative entries.
Pay the outstanding debt
1–7 daysContact the lender directly to arrange full payment. Get a written settlement confirmation letter — you will need this later. If the listing is wrong, proceed to the dispute step instead.
Request the lender to update CRB
14–30 daysAfter settlement, the lender must instruct the CRB to update your listing from "non-performing" to "settled." This is the lender's legal obligation. Follow up after 14 days if not done.
Wait for the 60-day clearing period
60 daysCBK rules require settled listings to be removed from your active credit file within 60 days of settlement. After this, you can apply for a clearance certificate.
Apply for your clearance certificate
After 60 daysOnce your record is clear, apply for a CRB clearance certificate from Metropol (metropol.co.ke) or TransUnion (creditinfo.co.ke). Cost: KES 2,200. Valid for 6 months.
Disputing a Wrong CRB Listing
If a loan app has listed you incorrectly — for example, listing a loan you never took, or listing you after you paid on time — this is a legal violation. You have strong rights under the Credit Reference Bureau Regulations 2020.
Loan Apps That Do NOT Report to CRB
If you are currently listed and need a loan while repairing your CRB, these regulated apps do not report to CRB (or report minimally):
Hustler Fund
Government-backed, does not report to CRB for standard loans
Fuliza
Overdraft — does not do standard CRB check
Note: All regulated lenders are required to report to CRB under CBK rules. The apps above have policies that currently limit standard CRB reporting but this can change. Verify current policy before borrowing.