Mobile-Based Tools Are Shaping Kenya’s Saving Culture

In Kenya, special occasions such as birthdays and holidays often come with financial stress, especially in recent years as the cost of living continues to rise. For many households, planning for festivities or even routine expenses like school fees has become increasingly challenging as disposable incomes shrink.

Yet, as the festive season approaches, financial experts say that early planning and disciplined saving can help families avoid unnecessary debt and enjoy stress-free celebrations. A growing number of Kenyans are now turning to mobile-based savings tools to make this possible.

According to Samuel Njuguna, founder of the Chumz app, one of the most effective ways to build a saving habit is through automation. “One can automate their savings by putting them in mobile-based savings applications designed to help users save money through goal-based and behavioral nudges,” says Njuguna.

To make saving effortless, Chumz integrates directly with M-Pesa. Users can set automated savings triggers saving a percentage each time they receive money, or rounding up transactions to save spare change. The app also sends nudges and reminders that encourage users to save instead of spending impulsively—an especially useful feature during high-spending periods like December.

“Users can also lock a savings goal so that they don’t withdraw the money until a specific date, preventing premature spending,” Njuguna explains.

Beyond the holidays, mobile-based savings platforms are helping Kenyans plan for more pressing financial obligations, like school fees in January. Many parents face this burden after heavy festive spending, but apps like Chumz are offering structured ways to plan ahead. The Chumz also supports group savings, enabling chamas or family groups to contribute collectively toward shared goals like tuition or family projects.

Kenya’s digital finance ecosystem has long been a global leader, from the success of mobile money platforms like M-Pesa to the growing wave of fintech-driven savings and investment tools. Apps such as Chumz are now building on that foundation, encouraging financial discipline, promoting inclusion, and helping users turn small, consistent contributions into meaningful financial progress.

As more Kenyans embrace these digital tools, the culture of saving—once hindered by low incomes and lack of structure, is gradually shifting toward one of intentional financial planning powered by technology.