In 2026, the lending landscape in Kenya has seen a remarkable shift. Traditional lenders, relying on Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) scores to determine creditworthiness, are gradually being outpaced by a new generation of digital lenders. These innovative loan apps have embraced Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyze real-time data, such as your M-Pesa transaction history, app usage, and SMS alerts, rather than solely relying on your past financial mistakes. This revolutionary shift means that even if you’re blacklisted by CRB or have a poor credit history, you can still access funds as long as your current financial behavior shows improvement.
This guide will walk you through the top 35 loan apps in Kenya for 2026 that prioritize AI-driven evaluations over CRB checks, providing a lifeline for those with bad credit or CRB blacklisting.
Why CRB Status Matters Less in 2026: The AI Revolution
Traditional CRB checks are often seen as “lagging indicators” because they only reflect past financial behavior, which may not accurately represent a person’s current ability to repay loans. These old-school methods can be limiting, especially for individuals whose credit history includes mistakes they’ve since worked hard to overcome.
On the other hand, AI-driven algorithms use “leading indicators” to assess financial behavior. These indicators include:
- Transaction Frequency: How often you receive and send money through M-Pesa.
- Utility Payments: Your consistency in paying bills such as electricity and water.
- Digital Footprint: AI evaluates your phone’s stability and app usage to assess your reliability as a borrower.
AI-powered loan apps analyze these real-time factors to predict whether you can repay a loan, giving you an opportunity to access credit even if you’ve previously been blacklisted by the CRB.
35 Bad Credit & No CRB Check Loan Apps in Kenya (2026)
Here’s a list of 35 loan apps available in Kenya for 2026 that bypass the traditional CRB checks, making it easier to access loans even if you have a poor credit history or have been blacklisted:
1. Okolea Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 500 – KSh 250,000
- Interest Rates: 0.5% – 0.8% per day
- Repayment Period: 30 – 60 days
- Support: +254 709 615 000 | support@okolea-international.com
2. 4G Capital (UPIA)
- Loan Limits: KSh 3,000 – KSh 1,000,000
- Interest Rates: 2% – 6% monthly
- Repayment Period: 30 days
- Support: +254 722 214 000 | customers@4g-capital.com
3. Kopasmart Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 8,000 – KSh 100,000
- Interest Rates: 12.36% – 15.45% per term
- Repayment Period: 90 – 120 days
- Support: +254 703 112 779 | customerservice@kingdombankltd.co.ke
4. Instarcash Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 5,000 – KSh 40,000
- Interest Rates: APR 36% – 72%
- Repayment Period: 90 days to 12 months
- Support: +254 207 905 230 | support@instarcash.xyz
5. Asapkash Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,500 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 18% per year (0.05% daily)
- Repayment Period: 91 – 365 days
- Support: +254 207 903 685 | help@asapkash.co.ke
6. ZuriCash Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 2,000 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 1% – 1.5% daily
- Repayment Period: 14 – 30 days
- Support: info@zuricash.ke
7. Eleven Kesh
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 30,000
- Interest Rates: 20% – 30% per month
- Repayment Period: 61 – 90 days
- Support: help@elevenkesh.com
8. Tena Pesa
- Loan Limits: KSh 500 – KSh 20,000
- Interest Rates: 15% – 25% APR
- Repayment Period: 14 – 60 days
- Support: customercare@tenapesa.co.ke
9. Raha Pesa
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,500 – KSh 45,000
- Interest Rates: 12% – 30% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 180 days
- Support: service@rahapesa.ke
10. Hela Pesa (Helasasa)
- Loan Limits: KSh 6,000 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 12% – 36% APR
- Repayment Period: 120 – 180 days
- Support: +254 718 168 019 | Helasasakenyaservicew@outlook.com
11. Daviva Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: Max APR 30%
- Repayment Period: 61 – 122 days
- Support: +254 111 053 510 | customer@daviva.ke
12. Kashbean Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 200,000
- Interest Rates: Max APR 36%
- Repayment Period: 91 – 365 days
- Support: help@kashbean.co.ke
13. Boreleza Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 3,500 – KSh 18,000
- Interest Rates: 73% – 93% APR
- Repayment Period: 120 – 180 days
- Support: +254 797 091 887 | help@boreleza.com
14. Betapesa Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 2,000 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: Max 24% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 360 days
- Support: +254 727 634 165 | betapesaservice@gmail.com
15. Loop Pesa
- Loan Limits: KSh 25,000 – KSh 3,000,000
- Interest Rates: 7% facility fee + Excise Duty
- Repayment Period: 6 – 36 months
- Support: 0709 881 100 | support@loop.co.ke
16. Zk Pesa
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 15% – 30% APR
- Repayment Period: 61 – 90 days
- Support: service@zkpesa.com
17. Sulu Cash
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,500 – KSh 60,000
- Interest Rates: 20% – 35% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 180 days
- Support: help@sulucash.com
18. Meta Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 80,000
- Interest Rates: Max 48% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 365 days
- Support: help@metaloan.co.ke
19. DG Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 900,000
- Interest Rates: 12% – 36% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 360 days
- Support: +254 701 760 926 | help@loanplus.co.ke
20. Linker-Mkopo
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 90,000
- Interest Rates: 5% – 36% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 180 days
- Support: +254 102 510 763 | rekhabaikhamod@gmail.com
21. Chapaa Loan (Kanisa Sacco)
- Loan Limits: Up to 85% of your deposits
- Interest Rates: 1% per month (Reducing balance)
- Repayment Period: Up to 24 months
- Support: +254 714 612 049 | info@kanisa-sacco.org
22. Rocket Pesa
- Loan Limits: KSh 2,000 – KSh 40,000
- Interest Rates: 18% – 30% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 120 days
- Support: help@rocketpesa.co.ke
23
. Zenka Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 500 – KSh 30,000
- Interest Rates: 9% – 30% per term
- Repayment Period: 61 days
- Support: +254 020 765 0878 | support@zenka.co.ke
24. Choice Sasa Loan
- Loan Limits: KSh 500 – KSh 150,000
- Interest Rates: 36.5% – 103.5% p.a.
- Repayment Period: 61 – 180 days
- Support: +254 731 225 879 | service@choicesasaloan.com
25. PesaIn Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 2,000 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 20% – 35% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 180 days
- Support: help@pesain.co.ke
26. PesaBar
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 45,000
- Interest Rates: 15% – 25% APR
- Repayment Period: 61 – 90 days
- Support: info@pesabar.co.ke
27. Zash Loan
- Loan Limits: KSh 500 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 15% – 25% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 365 days
- Support: +254 111 008 008 | support@zashloan.com
28. Koro Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 500 – KSh 200,000
- Interest Rates: 2.45% – 39% per term
- Repayment Period: 61 days
- Support: +254 020 765 0878 | support@koro.co.ke
29. 4 Coins Loan App
- Loan Limits: KSh 500 – KSh 15,000
- Interest Rates: 18% – 35% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 120 days
- Support: support@4coins.ke
30. FairKash+
- Loan Limits: KSh 3,000 – KSh 100,000
- Interest Rates: 3% – 18% p.a. (Service fee extra)
- Repayment Period: 91 – 365 days
- Support: +254 711 508 281 | support@fairkplus.live
31. Tumacash
- Loan Limits: KSh 2,000 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 18% – 30% APR
- Repayment Period: 91 – 180 days
- Support: service@tumacash.ke
32. AdvancePoa
- Loan Limits: KSh 15,000 – KSh 100,000
- Interest Rates: 40.15% – 84.75% APR
- Repayment Period: 180 – 360 days
- Support: service@advancepoa.com
33. PAWA KASH
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 15% – 30% APR
- Repayment Period: 61 – 90 days
- Support: support@pawakash.co.ke
34. Kashway
- Loan Limits: KSh 500 – KSh 50,000
- Interest Rates: 10% – 25% per term
- Repayment Period: 91 – 120 days
- Support: support@kashway.ke
35. MKopo Kaka
- Loan Limits: KSh 1,000 – KSh 30,000
- Interest Rates: 12% – 20% per month
- Repayment Period: 61 – 90 days
- Support: info@mkopokaka.co.ke
Important Safety Tips for 2026
Before applying for loans from these apps, be sure to follow these key safety tips:
- Check CBK Status: Ensure the app is licensed by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to avoid falling victim to illegal or predatory lenders.
- Verify Fees: Be cautious of upfront “service fees” that may be charged, which can sometimes be quite high.
- Data Privacy: As these apps often require access to your SMS and digital footprint, make sure to read the privacy policies to ensure your data is protected and not shared with third parties.
FAQ: Common Questions About Loan Apps in Kenya (2026)
Q: What loan apps in Kenya don’t require a CRB check?
A: Apps like Okolea, 4G Capital, and Instarcash do not rely on CRB checks and instead use AI to evaluate your current financial behavior.
Q: How fast can I access a loan?
A: Many loan apps like Zenka offer fast disbursement, with some loans processed within minutes of approval, while others may take a few days.
Q: Are the interest rates high for AI-driven loan apps?
A: Interest rates vary across apps. For instance, Okolea offers a low rate of 0.5% – 0.8% per day, while others like Boreleza charge higher rates up to 93% APR. Always review the loan terms carefully before proceeding.
Summary Table
| App Name | Loan Limits | Interest Rates | Repayment Period | Support Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okolea | KSh 500 – KSh 250,000 | 0.5% – 0.8% per day | 30 – 60 days | +254 709 615 000 |
| 4G Capital | KSh 3,000 – KSh 1,000,000 | 2% – 6% monthly | 30 days | +254 722 214 000 |
| Instarcash | KSh 5,000 – KSh 40,000 | APR 36% – 72% | 90 days to 12 months | +254 207 905 230 |
| Zenka | KSh 500 – KSh 30,000 | 9% – 30% per term | 61 days | +254 020 765 0878 |
In conclusion, these AI-powered loan apps are revolutionizing access to credit in Kenya. Be sure to compare interest rates and loan terms before applying to find the option that best suits your financial needs.