The Kenyan government plans to establish a new regulatory authority to oversee non-Sacco cooperatives, aiming to protect billions of shillings and prevent financial losses for members, particularly farmers. This move addresses the current lack of adequate regulation for these cooperatives, which unlike deposit-taking Saccos, are not monitored by a dedicated body.

• A new regulatory authority will operate within the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development to enforce accountability nationwide.
• Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya highlighted the vulnerability of members in non-Sacco cooperatives, especially in the coffee and cotton sectors, due to mismanagement.
• The current regulator, the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (Sasra), manages deposit-taking Saccos, but other cooperatives are overseen by the Commissioner of Cooperatives, leaving them prone to financial struggles.
• Wycliffe Oparanya noted that Kenya is regarded as the best in Africa for Sacco management, yet some officials misuse funds.

The National Treasury of Kenya has launched a Sh64.5 billion ($500 million) plan to buy back portions of its 2028 and 2032 Eurobonds. This initiative aims to streamline external debt repayments and reduce refinancing risks, coinciding with a planned issuance of new U.S. dollar-denominated notes.

• Kenya is offering to buy back up to $350 million of its 8 percent amortizing notes due 2032 and up to $150 million of its 7.25 percent notes due 2028.
• The National Treasury is the key organization involved, managing the country's external debt.
• The buyback offer opened on February 18 and will expire on February 25, with settlement expected on March 3, dependent on the successful issuance of new notes.

A focus team led by Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has recommended extending the moratorium on new Sacco registrations in Kenya until a new law is established. This move aims to bring stability to a sector currently grappling with over 5,000 unregulated Saccos and significant operational challenges.

• The moratorium, initially imposed in mid-2025 by the Co-operatives ministry, seeks to allow for comprehensive reforms.
• The committee found over 5,000 unregulated Saccos, often supervised at the county level and facing issues in governance and capitalization.
• The recommendations propose a new strategic approach to progressively bring all Saccos under formal supervision, aligning both national and county roles.