The Three Credit Bureaus in Kenya Explained
Updated April 2026 • 6 min read
Kenya has three licensed Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). Each bureau collects credit data from Kenyan lenders and generates credit reports for individuals and businesses. Understanding these three institutions will help you manage your credit health across all of them.
Background: Why Multiple Credit Bureaus?
The CBK licenses multiple bureaus to promote competition, which in turn drives better data quality, improved services, and lower costs for consumers. Each bureau has licensed lenders as data contributors — some lenders report to all three; some report to only one or two.
The Credit Reference Bureau Regulations (2013, amended) govern how bureaus operate, how data is stored, how consumers access their reports, and how disputes are resolved.
The Three Licensed Credit Bureaus in Kenya
1. TransUnion Kenya
TransUnion Kenya is a subsidiary of TransUnion, a multinational CRB headquartered in the USA. It is one of the two most widely used consumer credit bureaus in Kenya. TransUnion provides:
- Personal credit reports (full credit history, enquiries, negative listings)
- Credit scores (Range: 200–900)
- CRB clearance certificates (for employment, tenders, loans)
- Dispute resolution services
Consumer portal: transunionkenya.com
2. Metropol Corporation (Metropol CRB)
Metropol is a Kenyan-founded CRB — the only domestically owned bureau among the three. It is heavily used by SACCOs, MFIs, and mobile lenders, as well as major commercial banks. Metropol provides:
- Personal CRB reports
- Credit scores (Range: 200–900)
- Free credit monitoring alerts
- USSD access via *433#
- CRB clearance certificates
Consumer portal: metropol.co.ke
3. CreditInfo Kenya
CreditInfo Kenya is a subsidiary of CreditInfo Group, an international data company with presence in 30+ countries. CreditInfo is more B2B-focused (lenders querying the bureau) but still offers consumer services:
- Personal credit reports
- Dispute resolution
- CRB clearance certificates
Consumer portal: creditinfo.co.ke
Which Bureau Should You Check?
Your credit data may differ across the three bureaus because not all lenders report to all three. Here is a practical breakdown:
| Scenario | Recommended Bureau |
|---|---|
| Quick status check before a mobile loan | Any (TransUnion or Metropol most common) |
| Employment background check | Check all three if the employer requires it |
| Government tender | Clearance from all 3 usually required |
| Bank mortgage/loan | TransUnion or Metropol (bank will specify) |
| Comprehensive self-check | Use crbcheck.co.ke for combined view |
Do All Three Bureaus Have the Same Data?
No. A lender decides which bureau(s) to report to. For example:
- A negative listing from a mobile lender may appear only at Metropol if that lender reports only to Metropol.
- A bank loan may appear at TransUnion and CreditInfo but not Metropol.
- After paying a debt, the listing should be removed from each bureau you were listed at (not just one).
This is why checking a single bureau is not always comprehensive. For full coverage, use a service that aggregates records from multiple bureaus.
Free Annual Report Entitlement
Kenyan law entitles every consumer to one free credit report per year from each bureau. That means three free reports annually — one from TransUnion, one from Metropol, and one from CreditInfo. Contact each bureau directly to claim your free annual entitlement.
Regulation and Oversight
All three bureaus are regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) under the Banking Act Cap 488 and the Credit Reference Bureau Regulations. Complaints about bureau practices can be escalated to CBK if unresolved by the bureau.
How crbcheck.co.ke Helps
Instead of navigating three different portals, paying three separate fees, and managing three different accounts, you can check your combined CRB status at crbcheck.co.ke for KES 300. The report aggregates the most relevant information so you know where you stand before applying for a loan, a job, or a government tender.