Consumer Protection Warning — April 2026

Wall of Shame: Loan Apps to Avoid in Kenya

These apps have been flagged for predatory behaviour, operating without a CBK licence, or using illegal debt collection tactics. We publish this list to protect Kenyan borrowers.

Know an app that should be listed? Use the CBK complaints link below to report it.

5 Warning Signs of a Predatory Loan App

Calls your contacts

Reads your phone book and contacts relatives to shame you about debt.

Group shaming SMS

Sends messages to your employer, friends, or family about your loan.

Hidden rollover fees

Automatically rolls your loan over with fees you never agreed to.

No CBK licence

Not registered with the Central Bank of Kenya — no legal protection for you.

Undisclosed APR

Shows a low "rate" but doesn't tell you the effective annual cost.

8 Apps Flagged — Avoid These

OKash

Operating — CBK NDTCP licence pending/unclear as of 2026

HIGH RISK — Avoid

Contacts shaming — calls relatives without borrower consent

Misleading interest rate advertising

Aggressive SMS harassment campaigns

Hundreds of consumer complaints on Google Play and Twitter

iPesa

Not on CBK licensed NDTCP register as of April 2026

HIGH RISK — Avoid

Reads full contact list and shares debt status with contacts

Interest rates up to 25% per month not clearly disclosed

GPS tracking used for debt collection pressure

Flagged by CBK consumer protection desk

LionCash

Not CBK licensed

HIGH RISK — Avoid

Contact shaming — mass messages sent to borrower's entire phone book

Hidden fees not disclosed at application

No complaint resolution channel available

Multiple viral complaints on social media 2024–2025

Flash Loan

Licence status unclear — not on public CBK register

MEDIUM RISK

Misleading "instant approval" advertising

Weekly rollover fees not disclosed upfront

Reports borrowers to CRB even during dispute resolution

Frequent Play Store reviews citing hidden charges

Kashway

Not CBK licensed — Chinese-owned operator

HIGH RISK — Avoid

Short-term loans with effective APR exceeding 500%

Automatic loan rollovers without borrower consent

Contact access used for shaming

Featured in CBK consumer alerts 2023

Opesa

Not on CBK NDTCP licensed register

HIGH RISK — Avoid

Contact list reading used for debt collection

Interest rate discrepancies between app and actual charges

No cooling-off period offered

Flagged by Kenya Bankers Association 2024

PesaX

Licence status not verified on CBK register

MEDIUM RISK

Very high effective APR not prominently disclosed

Rollover charges that compound rapidly

App permissions include SMS and contacts used for shaming

Consumer complaints about hidden rollover fees

CreditHela

Not on CBK licensed list

USE CAUTION

Loan approval followed by undisclosed insurance charges deducted from principal

Difficult or no account deletion process

Customer support effectively unreachable

Moderate complaints on app stores

What to Do If an App Has Harassed You

File a CBK complaint

Visit centralbank.go.ke → Consumer Protection → File a Complaint. The CBK Consumer Protection Department investigates all complaints.

Report to the DCI

Contact the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) if an app threatened you or shared your data illegally. File a report at dci.go.ke.

Contact the ODPC

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) handles illegal use of your contacts. File at odpc.go.ke.

Block the app immediately

Revoke app permissions in your phone settings (Settings → Apps → Permissions). Uninstall the app and change your M-Pesa PIN.

Want to borrow safely? Only use apps from the CBK licensed list.

See CBK Licensed Apps Compare Safe Loan Apps

This blacklist is compiled from public CBK consumer protection alerts, verified social media complaints, and app store reviews. It is for informational purposes only. Apps listed here may have updated their practices since publication. Last updated April 2026. If you believe an entry is incorrect, contact us.