Kenya's Loan Knowledge Base

Loan guides for Kenya

Ten hubs covering how borrowing actually works in Kenya, each tied to a tool and sourced to the authority that sets the rules. Rates change, so we date everything and steer you to the lender and the regulator.

Compare and choose

Best and Cheapest Loan Apps in Kenya

How to find the cheapest loan app in Kenya: comparing the true cost not the headline rate, instant disbursement, large limits and apps that suit bad credit.

7 guidesOpen
What you really pay

Loan App Costs, Interest and Fees in Kenya

How loan app interest really works in Kenya: flat vs reducing, processing and facilitation fees, rollover and late penalties, and why a loan costs more than advertised.

8 guidesOpen
Your credit record

CRB and Credit Checks in Kenya

How CRB works in Kenya: check your status with Metropol, TransUnion or Creditinfo, get a clearance certificate, how long a default lasts, and disputing a wrong listing.

6 guidesOpen
If you cannot pay

Loan App Defaulting, Blacklists and Your Rights

What happens when you do not pay a loan app in Kenya: CRB listing, debt collection, your rights under data protection law against contact harassment, and negotiating a settlement.

13 guidesOpen
Licensing and safety

CBK-Licensed Digital Lenders in Kenya

Why CBK licensing matters for loan apps in Kenya, how to verify a lender is on the Digital Credit Providers register, the risks of unlicensed apps and how to report one.

3 guidesOpen
Cheaper credit

SACCO Loans vs Digital Loan Apps in Kenya

SACCO loans vs digital loan apps in Kenya: how SACCO credit is far cheaper, the requirements and waiting, FOSA vs BOSA, and when an app still makes sense.

Guides comingOpen
App by app

Loan App Reviews: Tala, Branch, Zenka and More

Honest reviews of Kenyan loan apps: rates, limits, eligibility and pros and cons for Tala, Branch, Zenka, Timiza, OKash, iPesa, Eazzy and more. No fabricated user ratings.

2 guidesOpen
Mobile money credit

M-Pesa and Mobile Loans in Kenya

How M-Pesa mobile loans work: M-Shwari, Fuliza, KCB M-Pesa, Timiza and the Hustler Fund, with how to qualify, increase limits, and what each really costs.

15 guidesOpen
Qualify and grow

Loan Eligibility and Limits in Kenya

Why loan apps reject you, what they check before lending, and how to increase your loan limit in Kenya, including building a borrowing history and borrowing without a payslip.

7 guidesOpen
By what you need it for

Loan Types and Use Cases in Kenya

Choosing a loan by what you need it for in Kenya: emergency loans, business and working-capital, salary advance, logbook, student and school-fees borrowing compared.

7 guidesOpen