Influence of Cybersecurity Risk on Financial Stability of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Kenya

Authors

  • Edah Kavwanyiri United States International University –Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Elizabeth Kalunda United States International University –Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Timothy C. Okech United States International University –Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70641/ajbds.v2i1.155

Keywords:

Financial Stability, DT-SACCOs, Kenya, Cybersecurity Risk

Abstract

This study examines the influence of cybersecurity risk on financial stability of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Co-Operative Society in Kenya. Using explanatory research design, data was obtained from 217 respondents comprising head of risk, head of ICT and business innovations, finance manager and executive- SACCO board member. The study explored how management capability indicator was influenced by ransomware, phishing and distributed denial of service. The gathered quantitative data was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Regression analysis revealed that cybersecurity risk had a moderate negative statistically significant influence on financial stability of DT-SACCOs in Kenya (β = -0.280, R = - 0.268, t = -4.077, p= 0 .000, < 0.05).  The implication of the findings is that, as cybersecurity risk decreases, there would be an increase in financial stability. The study therefore recommends management of DT-SACCOs to greatly invest in cybersecurity infrastructure and align clear policies and procedures to curb attacks.

References

Adeyoju, A. (2021). Cybercrime and Cybersecurity: FinTech’s Greatest Challenges. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3486277

Ahnert, T., Brolley, M., Cimon, D., & Riordan, R. (2022). Cyber Risk and Security Investment. https://doi.org/10.34989/SWP-2022-32

Aldasoro, I., Gambacorta, L., Giudici, P., & Leach, T. (2020). Operational and cyber risks in the financial sector.

Anand, K., Duley, C., & Gai, P. (2022). Cybersecurity and Financial Stability. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4073158

Andia, S. (2024). Fraud Prevention Strategies and Financial Stability of Insurance Companies in Kenya. African Journal of Commercial Studies, 5(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.59413/ajocs/v5.i1.6

Bashir, Z. (2021). An Empirical Analysis of Working Capital Management Attributes and Firm’s Profitability Evidence from the Textile Sector of Pakistan. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3936363

Beaman, C., Barkworth, A., Akande, T. D., Hakak, S., & Khan, M. K. (2021). Ransomware: Recent advances, analysis, challenges and future research directions. Computers & Security, 111, 102490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2021.102490

Bhavsar, V., Kadlak, A., & Sharma, S. (2018). Study on Phishing Attacks. International Journal of Computer Applications, 182(33), 27–29. https://doi.org/10.5120/ijca2018918286

CBK (2023). Banking Sector Innovation Survey. https://www.centralbank.go.ke/2023/06/30

Dunne, J. P., & Kasekende, E. (2018). Financial Innovation and Money Demand: Evidence from Sub‐Saharan Africa. South African Journal of Economics, 86(4), 428–448. https://doi.org/10.1111/saje.12205

Farber, H. S., Herbst, C. M., Silverman, D., & Von Wachter, T. (2019). Whom Do Employers Want? The Role of Recent Employment and Unemployment Status and Age. Journal of Labor Economics, 37(2), 323–349. https://doi.org/10.1086/700184

Gupta, B. B., Arachchilage, N. A. G., & Psannis, K. E. (2017). Defending against Phishing Attacks: Taxonomy of Methods, Current Issues and Future Directions (Version 1). arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.1705.09819

Hakizimana, S., Makau Charity Wairimu, M.-, & Stephen, M. (2023). Digital Banking Transformation and Performance-Where Do We Stand? International Journal of Management Research and Emerging Sciences, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.56536/ijmres.v13i1.404

Ibrahim, A. M. (2018). The effect of financial technology on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya [Master’s thesis, Department of Finance and Accounting University of Nairobi].

Jameaba, M.-S. (2022). Digitalization, Emerging Technologies, and Financial Stability: Challenges and Opportunities for the Indonesian Banking Industry and Beyond. https://doi.org/10.32388/CSTTYQ.2

Krivokapić, Đ., Nikolić, A., Stefanović, A., & Milosavljević, M. (2023). Financial, Accounting and Tax Implications of Ransomware Attack. Studia Iuridica Lublinensia, 32(1), 191–211. https://doi.org/10.17951/sil.2023.32.1.191-211

Legowo, M. B., Subanidja, S., & Sorongan, F. A. (2020). Model of Sustainable Development Based on FinTech in Financial and Banking Industry: A Mixed-Method Research. 2020 3rd International Conference on Computer and Informatics Engineering (IC2IE), 194–199. https://doi.org/10.1109/IC2IE50715.2020.9274605

Li, C., Li, Y., Xu, Y., & Sun, G. (2025). Research on the impact of financial technology on risk-taking of commercial banks. Research in International Business and Finance, 76, 102804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102804

Marty, A. L. (1961). Gurley and Shaw on Money in a Theory of Finance. Journal of Political Economy, 69(1), 56–62. https://doi.org/10.1086/258414

Merton, R. C. (1995). Financial innovation and the management and regulation of financial institutions. Journal of Banking & Finance, 19(3–4), 461–481. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4266(94)00133-N

Muriungi, C. N., & Waithaka, M. (2017). EFFECTS OF RISK MANAGEMENT ON FINANCIAL STABILITY OF STATE CORPORATIONS IN KENYA: A SURVEY OF

TOURISM FUND (TF) AND KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (KICC). 2(3).

Musamali, R., Jugurnath, B., & Maalu, J. (2023). FINTECH IN KENYA: A POLICY AND REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE. 8(1).

Adeyoju, A. (2021). Cybercrime and Cybersecurity: FinTech’s Greatest Challenges. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3486277 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3486277

Ahnert, T., Brolley, M., Cimon, D., & Riordan, R. (2022). Cyber Risk and Security Investment. https://doi.org/10.34989/SWP-2022-32

Aldasoro, I., Gambacorta, L., Giudici, P., & Leach, T. (2020). Operational and cyber risks in the financial sector.

Anand, K., Duley, C., & Gai, P. (2022). Cybersecurity and Financial Stability. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4073158 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4073158

Andia, S. (2024). Fraud Prevention Strategies and Financial Stability of Insurance Companies in Kenya. African Journal of Commercial Studies, 5(1), 42–50. https://doi.org/10.59413/ajocs/v5.i1.6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59413/ajocs/v5.i1.6

Bashir, Z. (2021). An Empirical Analysis of Working Capital Management Attributes and Firm’s Profitability Evidence from the Textile Sector of Pakistan. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3936363 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3936363

Beaman, C., Barkworth, A., Akande, T. D., Hakak, S., & Khan, M. K. (2021). Ransomware: Recent advances, analysis, challenges and future research directions. Computers & Security, 111, 102490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2021.102490 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2021.102490

Bhavsar, V., Kadlak, A., & Sharma, S. (2018). Study on Phishing Attacks. International Journal of Computer Applications, 182(33), 27–29. https://doi.org/10.5120/ijca2018918286 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5120/ijca2018918286

CBK (2023). Banking Sector Innovation Survey. https://www.centralbank.go.ke/2023/06/30

Dunne, J. P., & Kasekende, E. (2018). Financial Innovation and Money Demand: Evidence from Sub‐Saharan Africa. South African Journal of Economics, 86(4), 428–448. https://doi.org/10.1111/saje.12205 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/saje.12205

Farber, H. S., Herbst, C. M., Silverman, D., & Von Wachter, T. (2019). Whom Do Employers Want? The Role of Recent Employment and Unemployment Status and Age. Journal of Labor Economics, 37(2), 323–349. https://doi.org/10.1086/700184 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/700184

Gupta, B. B., Arachchilage, N. A. G., & Psannis, K. E. (2017). Defending against Phishing Attacks: Taxonomy of Methods, Current Issues and Future Directions (Version 1). arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/ARXIV.1705.09819 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11235-017-0334-z

Hakizimana, S., Makau Charity Wairimu, M.-, & Stephen, M. (2023). Digital Banking Transformation and Performance-Where Do We Stand? International Journal of Management Research and Emerging Sciences, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.56536/ijmres.v13i1.404 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56536/ijmres.v13i1.404

Ibrahim, A. M. (2018). The effect of financial technology on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya [Master’s thesis, Department of Finance and Accounting University of Nairobi].

Jameaba, M.-S. (2022). Digitalization, Emerging Technologies, and Financial Stability: Challenges and Opportunities for the Indonesian Banking Industry and Beyond. https://doi.org/10.32388/CSTTYQ.2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32388/CSTTYQ.2

Krivokapić, Đ., Nikolić, A., Stefanović, A., & Milosavljević, M. (2023). Financial, Accounting and Tax Implications of Ransomware Attack. Studia Iuridica Lublinensia, 32(1), 191–211. https://doi.org/10.17951/sil.2023.32.1.191-211 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17951/sil.2023.32.1.191-211

Legowo, M. B., Subanidja, S., & Sorongan, F. A. (2020). Model of Sustainable Development Based on FinTech in Financial and Banking Industry: A Mixed-Method Research. 2020 3rd International Conference on Computer and Informatics Engineering (IC2IE), 194–199. https://doi.org/10.1109/IC2IE50715.2020.9274605 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/IC2IE50715.2020.9274605

Li, C., Li, Y., Xu, Y., & Sun, G. (2025). Research on the impact of financial technology on risk-taking of commercial banks. Research in International Business and Finance, 76, 102804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102804 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2025.102804

Marty, A. L. (1961). Gurley and Shaw on Money in a Theory of Finance. Journal of Political Economy, 69(1), 56–62. https://doi.org/10.1086/258414 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/258414

Merton, R. C. (1995). Financial innovation and the management and regulation of financial institutions. Journal of Banking & Finance, 19(3–4), 461–481. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4266(94)00133-N DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4266(94)00133-N

Muriungi, C. N., & Waithaka, M. (2017). EFFECTS OF RISK MANAGEMENT ON FINANCIAL STABILITY OF STATE CORPORATIONS IN KENYA: A SURVEY OF

TOURISM FUND (TF) AND KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (KICC). 2(3).

Musamali, R., Jugurnath, B., & Maalu, J. (2023). FINTECH IN KENYA: A POLICY AND REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE. 8(1).

Palmié, M., Wincent, J., Parida, V., & Caglar, U. (2020). The evolution of the financial technology ecosystem: An introduction and agenda for future research on disruptive innovations in ecosystems. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 151, 119779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119779 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119779

Pyle, D. H. (1997). Bank Risk Management: Theory. Institute of Business and Economic Research, University of California, Berkeley. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=pNKbHAAACAAJ

Ryu, H.-S. (2018). Understanding Benefit and Risk Framework of Fintech Adoption: Comparison of Early Adopters and Late Adopters. Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. https://doi.org/10.24251/HICSS.2018.486 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24251/HICSS.2018.486

SASRA. (2022). The SACCO supervision annual report, 2022. The Annual Statutory

R e p o r t on the operations a n d performance of SACCO. https://www.sasra.go.ke/30/06/2022.

SASRA 2023. The SACCO supervision Annual report 2023. https://www.sasra.go.ke/2023/08/28.

Shehab, R., S.Alismail, A., Amin Almaiah, Dr. M., Alkhdour, Dr. T., AlWadi, Dr. B. M., & Alrawad, Dr. M. (2024). Assessment of Cybersecurity Risks and threats on Banking and Financial Services. Journal of Internet Services and Information Security, 14(3), 167–190. https://doi.org/10.58346/JISIS.2024.I3.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58346/JISIS.2024.I3.010

Stanikzai, A. Q., & Shah, M. A. (2021). Evaluation of Cyber Security Threats in Banking Systems. 2021 IEEE Symposium Series on Computational Intelligence (SSCI), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1109/SSCI50451.2021.9659862 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/SSCI50451.2021.9659862

Tariq, N. (2018). IMPACT OF CYBERATTACKS ON FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

Uddin, Md. H., Ali, Md. H., & Hassan, M. K. (2020). Cybersecurity hazards and financial system vulnerability: A synthesis of literature. Risk Management, 22(4), 239–309. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41283-020-00063-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41283-020-00063-2

Victor Omollo, O. (2016). Strategic Factors Affecting Compliance with the Sacco Act of 2008 by Financial Co-operatives in Kenya: A Case of Nairobi County Sacco. Science Journal of Business and Management, 4(3), 90. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjbm.20160403.15 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjbm.20160403.15

Wachira, G., & Njuguna, A. (2023). Enhancing Growth and Productivity Through Mobile Money Financial Technology Services: The Case of M-Pesa in Kenya. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 15(12), 91. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijef.v15n12p91 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/ijef.v15n12p91

Wang, V., Nnaji, H., & Jung, J. (2020). Internet banking in Nigeria: Cyber security breaches, practices and capability. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 62, 100415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2020.100415 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2020.100415

Downloads

Published

2025-08-29

How to Cite

Kavwanyiri, E., Kalunda, E., & Okech, T. C. (2025). Influence of Cybersecurity Risk on Financial Stability of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Kenya. African Journal of Business and Development Studies, 2(1), 428–440. https://doi.org/10.70641/ajbds.v2i1.155