From first setup to a shared record.

01 / Start

Create a chama

1. Enter the group basics. Give the chama a name, choose invite-only or open membership, set a weekly, monthly or quarterly contribution cycle and enter the contribution amount.
2. Receive the founder role. The creator becomes Chairperson in the new chama record. Initial balances are zero.
3. Share the invite code. Invite-only members join with the exact code. Officials can set collection details and propose later configuration changes.

Creating a chama creates records only. It does not open a bank account, M-Pesa wallet or SACCO account. A configuration change to contribution, loan, guarantor or meeting settings is a proposal that takes effect only after the group vote passes.

Join a chama

Join by invite code

Enter the code shared by the chama. A valid code adds you as a member with zero opening balances. Re-entering a code does not duplicate membership or change your ledger.

Apply to an open chama

Open chamas can appear in discovery. An application asks for workplace, residence, planned monthly contribution, national ID number, reason for joining and a clear ID photo. The app sends the request for review. It does not add you as a member until the people authorized by that chama approve it.

Only provide an ID where you understand the chama's admission process. See the Privacy policy for access and retention details.

02 / Money records

Record a contribution

1. Choose amount and pot. Select a preset or custom amount and choose savings, merry-go-round or welfare.
2. Pay outside ChamaClub. Use the collection method and number set by the chama. ChamaClub does not send an STK prompt and does not receive the money.
3. Submit M-Pesa evidence. Paste the full confirmation. On Android, you may instead allow the app to find your own sent-to confirmation. SMS permission is optional.
4. Wait for review. The parsed reference, amount and date create a pending claim. No balance changes at this point.
5. Treasurer confirms. The treasurer reviews matching incoming evidence or manually confirms an unmatched claim. Only confirmation posts the contribution to the record.

Treasurer deposit confirmation

On an authorized Treasurer or Chairperson device with SMS permission, recognized incoming M-Pesa confirmations can enter the chama's deposit inbox. The app parses sender name, phone number, amount, reference and payment date. An official can assign an unmatched deposit to a member.

Confirmation can be refused when the amount does not match or a member is not assigned. Officials should compare the app record with the chama's actual M-Pesa or bank statement. Confirmation records an accounting decision; it does not move money.

03 / Credit

Request a loan

1. Select the loan product. The chama's configured product supplies the interest method and allowed term.
2. Enter amount and period. The request must fit the member's savings-based limit, the product term and the group's recorded available cash.
3. Select guarantors. Pick the number required by the chama constitution. If the group has fewer other members than the rule requires, the app explains the reduced available selection.
4. Submit for a vote. A request becomes an open vote. It is not an instant payout.

Selected guarantors and members should review the chama's own guarantee terms. ChamaClub records the selection but does not create a legal guarantee or collect a default.

Record a repayment

Choose the loan, pay outside the app using the chama's collection details and submit the M-Pesa confirmation. Like a contribution, the repayment claim remains pending until treasurer review. Keep the original provider record if a payment is disputed.

04 / Investments

Propose an investment

Choose an investment vehicle shown by the app and an amount no higher than the group's recorded available funds. Opening the proposal creates a member vote. ChamaClub does not buy the asset, send the money or assess whether the investment is suitable.

A passed investment vote creates a holding for the approved vehicle and amount and links it to the vote. The app moves recorded available funds into recorded locked funds up to the amount still available when the vote is resolved. The chama still acts through its own officials and provider outside ChamaClub.

05 / Governance

Meetings and RSVP

Authorized officials can set the next meeting title, date, time and venue. Members can mark that they are going or remove their RSVP. ChamaClub does not currently add the event to the device calendar.

Votes

The governance area lists open votes. A member can choose yes, no or abstain once for each vote. Loan requests and investment proposals open votes, and the call-a-vote menu supports investment, leadership and member-exit decisions. The chama remains responsible for quorum, authority and carrying out the result.

Penalties

An official can submit a penalty rule or member penalty as a proposal. The proposal opens a group vote, and the penalty change is applied only if that vote passes. Members can see outstanding items and the amount collected. A penalty shown in ChamaClub is a group record, not a debt collected or enforced by ChamaClub. Disputes should be handled through the chama's rules.

06 / Account care

Security

• Protect the phone. Do not share sign-in codes or device credentials.
• Use app lock if helpful. The optional lock uses the biometric, PIN, pattern or password already on the device. ChamaClub never receives it.
• Check roles. Remove official access when a treasurer, chairperson or secretary leaves the role.
• Compare source records. Verify major balances and payments against the provider statement and chama documents.
• Limit ID access. Review join applications only for admission work and do not copy ID photos into chats.

Leave a chama or delete the account

Leaving one chama is different from deleting your ChamaClub account. A member exit may need a group decision and settlement under the chama's rules. Account deletion ends access across the service after verification. Shared transaction and audit records may remain where needed for legal duties, fraud prevention, disputes or financial accountability.

Follow the account deletion steps, or email support@chamaclub.com if you need help first.