Unaitas and Pesalink Partnership Sets Pace for Instant Payments and Digital Inclusion
Unaitas SACCO Chief Manager Business Development, Grace Kimani, CEO Martin Muhoho and Pesalink CEO Gituku Kirika and Strategic Partnerships Manager, Patricia Mbui during a strategic partnership engagement held recently.
Nairobi, Kenya – November 4, 2025: Unaitas SACCO, in partnership with Integrated Payment Services Limited (IPSL), the operator of Pesalink, has set a new benchmark for digital inclusion through instant payments. The collaboration, which made Unaitas the first SACCO in Kenya to integrate with Pesalink, is now hailed as a transformative model for the cooperative movement and financial inclusion.
Since its inception, the partnership has evolved beyond technology implementation to become a functional blueprint for real-time digital finance. Through Pesalink integration, Unaitas has enhanced access to instant, affordable, and secure financial services, empowering its more than 400,000 members with 24/7 account-to-account transactions.
Pesalink is Kenya’s de facto instant, open and interoperable account to account transfer network. It is operated by Integrated Payment Services Limited (IPSL), a subsidiary of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA). It was established in 2015 under the National Payment System (NPS) Act to enhance financial inclusion and efficiency in Kenya’s banking sector.
Pesalink, Kenya’s interoperable and real-time transfer network, now serves as the default payment channel on Unaitas platforms, accessible via the Mo-Cash App and USSD code *493#. This innovation has eliminated reliance on traditional banking hours, enabling members to send and receive money anytime, anywhere. Parents can now pay school fees instantly, traders can restock after hours, and farmers can settle payments in seconds all through a single seamless platform.
“This is not just a technology launch; it’s a celebration of partnership, progress, and proof,” said Gituku Kirika, Chief Executive Officer at IPSL. “Unaitas was a trailblazer, and that single move has changed the narrative for the entire SACCO sector. This collaboration demonstrates how interoperable payments can empower SACCO members with instant, affordable, and inclusive access.”
Unaitas’ integration with Pesalink underscores the crucial role of SACCOs in advancing Kenya’s digital finance agenda. The sector, which comprises over 14 million members and holds deposits exceeding KES 800 billion (SASRA, 2024), continues to drive financial inclusion through innovation.
Unaitas SACCO is a licensed deposit-taking SACCO regulated under the SACCO Societies Act, 2012. Established in 1993, Unaitas is dedicated to delivering accessible, innovative and member-centric financial solutions to individuals, businesses, corporates and institutions across Kenya.
According to Martin Muhoho, Chief Executive Officer of Unaitas, the partnership has enhanced member experience, reduced manual processing, and strengthened the SACCO’s digital foundation.
“Harnessing Pesalink means a faster, more convenient, and secure way for our members to transact. In the cooperative spirit, we are sharing our experience to help other SACCOs embrace integration and digital growth,” he said.
With added solutions like Pesalink Bulk for real-time payroll disbursement and Pesalink Pay for merchant and supplier payments, Unaitas is extending digital efficiency to SMEs, agribusinesses, and community groups.
The partnership marks a pivotal step toward building a truly national fast payment ecosystem one that works seamlessly across banks, fintechs, and SACCOs anchoring Kenya’s journey toward inclusive, accessible, and instant digital finance.
