Functional Group Characteristics and Risk Orientation among Informal Financial Groups in Kirinyaga County, Kenya

This study evaluates functional characteristics and risk orientation of non‑rotating informal financial groups (IFGs) in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. While rotating informal financial groups have been widely studied, non-rotating groups remain under-explored in spite of their growing significance in enhancing access to financial services. The study employed a mixed-methods approach: descriptive survey of group members and key informant interviews involving community development officers. A target population of 60 non-rotating informal financial groups comprising 806 members that are registered with the County Department of Social Services was adopted. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and responses corroborated with key informant interviews. Before analysis using STATA software, data was coded. Study findings revealed that the institutional design of informal financial groups differed in terms of composition, size, activities and support. Functional characteristics such as manual operations, lending based on social capital, poor record keeping, dependence on external support and limited financial literacy rendered groups vulnerable to financial risks. To reduce risk exposure, enhance sustainability and strengthen informal financial groups as engines of economic empowerment, this study recommends strengthening of institutional design by encouraging fairly heterogeneous groups, hybrid models, designed targeted support, digitization of operations and institutionalized capacity building.