Arwa and Company

Arwa and Company • Our Vision: To be the best institution in the region in provision of consultancy services and promotion accountability and good governance practices.

• Our Vision: To be the best institution in the region in provision of consultancy services and promotion accountability and good governance practices.
• Our Mission: To facilitate the realization of good governance and accountability through the provision of consultancy services to the small and medium enterprise and upholding of ethics and integrity.

03/06/2026

Important SACCOs update!

The Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, through the Commissioner for Co-operatives, has today lifted the suspension on the registration of new SACCO societies.

This follows the completion of a review of the legislative and regulatory framework by a Committee of Experts appointed by the Cabinet Secretary, Hon. FCPA Dr Wycliffe Oparanya, EGH.

Effective immediately, new SACCOs can now be registered.
However, applicants must meet stricter requirements to ensure sustainability and proper governance.

For new SACCO registrations, applicants must:

✔️ Demonstrate the existence of a fully equipped and accessible physical office with at least one employee

✔️ Have a minimum institutional capital of KSh 1.2 million (for formation and initial operations, excluding member deposits)

✔️ Submit a 3-year business plan and cash flow projections

✔️ Demonstrate the ability to mobilize at least KSh 10 million in deposits within the first year

✔️ Comply with the Co-operative Societies Act (Sections 4, 5, and 6) and relevant Rules

Applications must be submitted through the respective County Director for Co-operatives.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.arwaconsultants.or.ke

Council of Governors-Kenya Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority Cooperative Alliance of Kenya Ltd-CAK African Confederation Of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations

03/06/2026

Important SACCOs update!

The Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, through the Commissioner for Co-operatives, has today lifted the suspension on the registration of new SACCO societies.

This follows the completion of a review of the legislative and regulatory framework by a Committee of Experts appointed by the Cabinet Secretary, Hon. FCPA Dr Wycliffe Oparanya, EGH.

Effective immediately, new SACCOs can now be registered.
However, applicants must meet stricter requirements to ensure sustainability and proper governance.

For new SACCO registrations, applicants must:

✔️ Demonstrate the existence of a fully equipped and accessible physical office with at least one employee

✔️ Have a minimum institutional capital of KSh 1.2 million (for formation and initial operations, excluding member deposits)

✔️ Submit a 3-year business plan and cash flow projections

✔️ Demonstrate the ability to mobilize at least KSh 10 million in deposits within the first year

✔️ Comply with the Co-operative Societies Act (Sections 4, 5, and 6) and relevant Rules

Applications must be submitted through the respective County Director for Co-operatives.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website:

25/05/2026

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFIED COPY OF CERTIFICATE OF A SOCIETY

Avail a letter, signed by the three officials on record requesting the Registrar for a Certified Copy of the Society’s Certificate. The request letter should be accompanied by the following documents:
1. An Original Police Abstract.
2. Copies of National Identification Cards of the officials.

Note correctly, for this request to be approved:
• Annual Returns MUST be updated.
• Signatures of the officials should correspond to previously appended signatures on record.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PERUSAL OF A FILE OF A SOCIETY

Avail a letter, signed by an official on record requesting the Registrar for Perusal of a Society. Note correctly;
• If a person who is NOT an official lodges an application to peruse a file, their request letter should be accompanied by an authorization letter from an official of the Society, and a copy of the National Identification Card of the official.
• If an advocate lodges an application for perusal of a file, justification of the perusal MUST be indicated on the letter and a copy of his/her current practicing certificate MUST be attached.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFIRMATION OF A SOCIETY

Avail a request letter, signed by an official on record, for confirmation of office bearers to the Registrar of Societies. Note correctly, for this request to be approved:
• Annual Returns MUST be updated.
• Signature of the official should correspond to previously appended signature on record.
• If the letter is requested for the purpose of opening a bank account, the letter should contain details of the bank (name and branch)
• A separate request letter should be availed if the confirmation of office bearers is for more than one bank.
If an advocate lodges an application for confirmation of a Society, justification of the confirmation MUST be indicated on the letter and a copy of his/her current practicing certificate MUST be attached.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHANGE OF POSTAL AND PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF A SOCIETY

Avail to the office a typed Form B, signed by the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer on record, bearing the new Physical and/or Postal address. For this request to approved, Annual Returns MUST be filed up to date.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DISSOLUTION OF A SOCIETY

Avail to the office a request letter for dissolution of a Society, signed by ALL the officials on record, accompanied by the following documents;
1. A 21-day NOTICE convening an Annual General Meeting, indicating dissolution of the Society in the agenda, signed by the Secretary on record.
2. Minutes of the Meeting signed by the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer on record.
3. A signed list of attendees of the meeting, the number of members who attended the meeting should constitute a 2/3 quorum.
4. Detailed confirmation that 2/3 of the members present in the meeting voted for the resolution for dissolution of the Society.
5. Original certificate of the Society.

Note correctly for this request to be approved:
• Annual Returns MUST be updated.
• The documents above should be availed in the office 14 days from the date of the AGM.
• The signatures appended on the attached documents should correspond with the signatures previously appended on our records.
• Upon direction of a Counsel, the officials may be required to appear before a Counsel to consent to the dissolution of the Society.

Upon approval, client will be notified through an sms and required to pay for the service on the online platform and submit the documents at the registry for filing.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website:

25/05/2026

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFIED COPY OF CONSTITUTION OF A SOCIETY

Avail a request letter, signed by any official, to the Registrar of Societies requesting for a Certified Copy of the Constitution. Note correctly, for this request to be approved:

• Annual Returns MUST be updated.
• The signature of the official requesting the certified copy should correspond to previously appended signature on record.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website:

25/05/2026

REQUIREMENTS FOR CHANGE OF NAME OF A SOCIETY

Avail to the office a request letter for change of name, signed by ALL the officials on record, accompanied by the following documents;

1. A 21-day NOTICE convening the meeting, indicating change of name in the agenda, signed by the Secretary on record.
2. Minutes of the Meeting signed by the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer on record.
3. A signed list of attendees of the meeting, the number of members who attended the meeting should constitute a 2/3 quorum if it’s AGM and 1/3 if it’s an SGM.
4. A copy of the Society’s Constitution bearing the amended name.
5. Original certificate of the Society.
6. An approved name search application.

Note correctly for this request to be approved:
• Annual Returns MUST be updated.
• The documents above should be availed in the office 14 days from the date of the AGM/SGM.
• The signatures appended on the attached documents should correspond with the signatures previously appended on our records.
• If a subsequent application for amendment of the Constitution has NOT been lodged, the content of the attached Constitution should remain the same as the one on record.
• The copy of the Constitution should NOT be signed.
• Upon direction of a Counsel, the officials may be required to appear before a Counsel to consent to the name change.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website:

25/05/2026

REQUIREMENTS FOR NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE OF OFFICE BEARERS OF A SOCIETY

Avail to the office a FORM H bearing the names and phone numbers of the elected officials in an AGM/SGM. The Form H should be typed and signed by the new officials and should be accompanied by the following documents;

1. A 21-day NOTICE convening the meeting, indicating election of office bearers in the agenda, signed by the Secretary on record.
2. Minutes of the meeting signed by the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer on record.
3. An introduction letter to the Registrar informing him/her that elections were conducted, signed by the officials on record.
4. A signed list of attendees of the meeting, the number of members who attended the meeting should constitute a 2/3 quorum in case of an AGM and a 1/3 if it's an SGM.

Note correctly for this request to be approved:
• Annual Returns MUST be updated.
• The documents accompanying Form H should be availed in the office 14 days from the date of the AGM/SGM.
• The signatures appended on the attached documents should correspond with the signatures previously appended on our records.
• Phone numbers of officials being replaced MUST be availed.
• Upon direction of a Counsel, the previous officials may be required to appear before a Counsel to consent to the changes of office bearers of the Society.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.arwaconsultants.or.ke

25/05/2026

REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING SOCIETY ANNUAL RETURNS (FORM I)

Avail to the office a typed FORM I, signed by the officials (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) on record for ALL pending years. Note correctly for an Annual Return (FORM I) to be approved;

1. The signatures appended on the forms should correspond with either Form A or Form H the officials signed while being introduced on record.
2. In case an official is unable to sign, conclusive proof of the explanation must be availed, for example;
o In case of death, a copy of the death certificate or burial permit must be availed.
o In case an official is out of the country, visa information must be availed.
3. Upon direction of a Counsel, the officials may be required to appear and sign the Annual Return (Form I) before a Counsel.
4. Each year should have its own Form.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.arwaconsultants.or.ke

25/05/2026

The Kenya Revenue Authority (“KRA”) has issued a public notice confirming a significant shift in VAT compliance for exporters.

Effective May 2026, only export data validated through the Integrated Customs Management System (“iCMS”) will be pre-filled in the auto-populated VAT return in iTax. Manual input of export values in the VAT return will no longer be available for exported goods.

This development introduces a data-driven and automated validation framework that will fundamentally change how export transactions are recognized for VAT purposes. It presents both compliance risks and opportunities for businesses to strengthen controls and improve VAT refund outcomes.

Historically, exporters focused on accuracy at the point of VAT return preparation. Going forward, the critical control point moves upstream to TIMS/eTIMS invoicing, Customs declaration and proof-of-export documentation.

Data accuracy, system alignment, and coordination across finance, tax, and logistics will be critical to avoid compliance gaps, audit exposure, and refund delays. Where any link is missing, incorrect or incomplete, the export transaction will not be validated, and the relevant particulars will not auto-populate in the VAT return.

Now is the time to assess whether your operating model, controls, and reconciliation processes are fully aligned with the new regime.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.arwaconsultants.or.ke

17/05/2026

REGISTRATION OF A SACCO IN KENYA

To register a SACCO in Kenya, one must comply with the requirements of the Commissioner for Cooperative Development under the Ministry of Cooperatives, and in some cases obtain licensing from the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) if the SACCO will undertake deposit-taking business.

Types of SACCOs in Kenya

1. Non-Deposit Taking SACCO (Back Office only)
* Members save and borrow.
* No ATM/FOSA services.
* Easier and cheaper to start.
2. Deposit Taking SACCO (DT-SACCO)
* Offers FOSA services like savings accounts, withdrawals, ATM/mobile banking.
* Requires licensing by Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority.

Basic Requirements for SACCO Registration

1. Form a Common Bond

Members should share a common interest such as:

* Employees of one company
* Farmers
* Business people
* Community group
* Church members
* Youth/women groups

2. Minimum Members

Generally at least 10 members are required to form a cooperative society.

3. Hold Preliminary Meetings

Discuss and agree on:

* SACCO name
* Objectives
* Membership rules
* Share contributions
* Interim officials

4. Conduct a Feasibility Study

Prepare:

* Business plan
* Financial projections
* Operational structure
* Risk assessment

5. Reserve the SACCO Name

Apply through the County Cooperative Office or the Commissioner for Cooperative Development.

Documents Required

Typical documents include:

* Application form
* Proposed by-laws
* Feasibility study/business plan
* List of members and officials
* Minutes of inaugural meeting
* ID copies and KRA PINs of officials
* Proof of physical office
* Bank payment receipts for registration fees

Registration Process

Step 1: Attend Pre-Cooperative Training

Officials are usually required to attend cooperative management training organized by the County Cooperative Office.

Step 2: Submit Application

Submit documents to:

* County Director of Cooperatives
* Commissioner for Cooperative Development

Step 3: Inspection and Approval

Government officers may inspect:

* Office premises
* Governance structure
* Membership records

Step 4: Certificate of Registration

If approved, the SACCO receives a registration certificate and becomes a legal entity.

SASRA Licensing (For Deposit-Taking SACCOs)

If your SACCO intends to operate FOSA services:

* Apply for a SASRA license.
* Meet minimum capital and liquidity requirements.
* Install proper accounting and risk management systems.

Official licensing information is available from:
SASRA Licensing & Authorization Page

Estimated Costs

Costs vary by county and SACCO size, but typically include:

* Name search/reservation fees
* Registration fees
* Training costs
* Legal/document preparation
* Office setup
* SASRA licensing fees (for DT-SACCOs)

Key Ongoing Compliance Requirements

After registration, SACCOs must:

* Hold Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
* Prepare audited accounts annually
* File annual returns
* Maintain proper books of accounts
* Comply with SASRA reporting rules if regulated.

Important Advice Before Starting

Many Kenyan SACCO members emphasize:

* Strong governance
* Transparent loan procedures
* Good record keeping
* Clear withdrawal policies
* Proper member education

Good governance and liquidity management determine whether a SACCO succeeds or fails.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.arwaconsultants.or.ke




Finance Bill 2026 Compliance Requirements The Finance Bill 2026, published on April 30, 2026, proposes significant chan...
15/05/2026

Finance Bill 2026 Compliance Requirements

The Finance Bill 2026, published on April 30, 2026, proposes significant changes to tax laws in Kenya, including stricter deadlines for filing company returns and enhanced compliance measures, with most proposals expected to take effect for the 2026 year of income, affecting filings in 2027.

Key Changes to Filing Annual Company Returns (Proposals)

* Shorter Filing Window: The deadline for filing annual income tax returns for companies is proposed to move from six months to four months after the end of the financial year.
* Earlier Nil Returns: If approved, Nil returns will be due within one month after the end of the financial year.
* Mandatory eTIMS Compliance: Effective January 1, 2026, all company expenses must be supported by an eTIMS-compliant electronic invoice to be deductible. Costs lacking valid electronic tax invoices will be treated as profit and taxed.
* Automatic Data Generation: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is empowered to use technology to pre-populate tax returns based on eTIMS data, meaning returns will be largely automated, reducing manual input.
* Increased Penalties: The bill proposes stricter penalties for failure to file returns or failure to maintain proper records.

Important Compliance Reminders for 2026
* Supplier Compliance: Companies must ensure their suppliers are eTIMS compliant, as non-compliant invoices will be rejected by the iTaxsystem.
* Reconciliations: Due to the tighter deadlines, companies will need to reconcile accounts, bankings, and tax records faster.
* Electronic Records: The focus is on digital compliance; manual or handwritten receipts are no longer acceptable for expenses.

How to File Company Returns (Current Process via eCitizen)

1. Log in to your eCitizen account and select the BRS V2 (Business Registration Service) module.
2. Choose the company profile and click "Maintain a Company".
3. Select "Annual Returns" and choose the year.
4. Download, fill, and upload the necessary forms (e.g., CR29).
5. Pay the fee (typically KES 1,000 for private companies) via M-PESA.

Note: The Finance Bill 2026 is still in the committee stage and subject to public participation and potential amendments before it is passed and signed into law.

For more information, contact us:

Arwa & Company
Upperhill Mara Road,
KMA Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 2.2
P.O. Box 76849 - 00620
Nairobi
Tel. +254 735 655 705
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.arwaconsultants.or.ke


Address

Mara Road
Nairobi
00620

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 08:00 - 13:00

Telephone

+254735655705

Website

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