Nairobi, April 27 -- Raymond Kageni had always assumed that chamas were women's affairs and had never imagined joining one. However, his elder brother, John, enrolled him in a group that he chaired.

Mr Kageni's reluctance stemmed from what he had observed growing up - that chamas were for women and that money was a private matter not suited to group intervention. That was 10 years ago.

Today, he is an active member of a men's chama dominated by taxi drivers who are not affiliated with cab-hailing apps. He credits the group with helping him develop a strong savings culture.

Mr Kageni is one of a growing number of professional Kenyan men joining chamas to build savings and expand their social networks.

While formal financial instruments...