Sandagi Confirmed as Substantive CEO of SASRA
The Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) has appointed CPA David Sandagi as its substantive Chief Executive Officer, effective June 2026. Sandagi had been serving in an acting capacity since August 18, 2025, following the departure of his predecessor, Peter Njuguna.
The appointment marks a smooth internal transition for the regulator, which oversees deposit-taking and non-withdrawable deposit-taking SACCOs under the Sacco Societies Act. His elevation followed board consultations with the Head of the Public Service and the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development.
A Certified Public Accountant (ICPAK) and Certified Expert in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), Sandagi holds an MBA and a degree in Finance and Banking, alongside credentials in senior leadership and professional coaching. He brings deep institutional knowledge, having previously served as Director of Corporate Services at SASRA and led the authority’s compliance functions.
Other SASRA CEOs
Njuguna, who joined SASRA in 2010 and served as CEO from 2021, opted not to seek a second four-year term. His tenure focused on regulation, compliance, technology, and international remittances. He succeeded John Mwaka, who had followed Carilus Ademba — transitions largely governed by the Act’s two-term limit.
Sandagi steps in at a challenging moment for the sector. Under Njuguna and during the handover period, the industry was rocked by a major scandal at the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO), involving alleged financial impropriety of approximately Sh13.3 billion, including forged accounts and loans to dormant SACCOs. The fallout prompted forensic audits, criminal charges against former officials, and licence revocations for several SACCOs, among them Dumisha, Bi-High, and Metropolitan.
Despite the turbulence, the sector has grown. By late 2024–2025, SACCO assets, deposits, and loan books expanded considerably, with membership surpassing 7.3 million. Sandagi has publicly championed these figures and called for stronger innovation and governance — notably at the National Credit Market Convention.
His insider track record positions him well to advance SASRA’s priorities: tighter oversight, digital transformation, and member protection. Congratulations from bodies including KUSCCO and senior government officials signal broad confidence in his leadership.
The appointment reinforces SASRA’s trust in proven internal talent at a pivotal time. As Sandagi takes full charge, the focus will be on balancing sector growth with rigorous regulation — and restoring the public confidence that Kenya’s cooperative movement depends on.
