In Kenya’s modern financial landscape, your credit score is more than just a number—it’s a reflection of your financial habits, borrowing history, and ability to manage credit responsibly. Whether you’re applying for a salary advance, a logbook loan, or a business loan, your credit score plays a critical role in determining:
-
Whether you qualify for the loan
-
How much you can borrow
-
What interest rate you’ll be charged
-
How quickly your loan will be processed
At Meridian Smart Credit, we believe in empowering our clients to not only access credit but also understand how to manage it wisely. In this guide, we’ll help you understand what a credit score is, how it’s calculated, why it matters, and practical steps you can take to improve your score—giving you access to better loan terms.
What Is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a numerical rating assigned to an individual or business based on their credit history. It ranges between 0 to 1000 in Kenya and is generated by Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) such as:
-
TransUnion
-
Metropol
-
Creditinfo Kenya
The higher your score, the more creditworthy you are perceived to be.
Credit Score Ranges in Kenya
| Score Range | Rating | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| 800–1000 | Excellent | Low risk—easily approved for loans |
| 650–799 | Good | Low to moderate risk |
| 550–649 | Fair | Moderate risk—might face some limits |
| 300–549 | Poor | High risk—loan likely to be declined |
| 0–299 | Very Poor / Blacklisted | Credit severely affected or listed |