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The widespread failure of DT SACCOs in Kenya is likely to lead to a loss of confidence among the current and potential members of the DT SACCOs in Kenya and eventually threatens to kill the sector. The study examined the effect of related party transactions on financial distress in DT-SACCOs in Kenya; the study adopted the following theories as to the basis of analyzing the collected data; wrecker’s financial distress theories and Agency theory. The target population was 176 Deposit-Taking SACCOs. Secondary data was obtained from SACCOs records as published by SASRA. The study used a systematic sampling technique based on the sampling formula by Taro Yamane (1967) to obtain the appropriate sample size of 68 DT SACCOs. Data were analyzed using STATA computer software. Data collection covered seven (7) year period from 2008 -2014, this period of 7 years was selected for the study because SASRA has enacted in 2010 therefore the justification for the choice of the study period, that is 3 years before and 4 years after SASRA enactment. The study established that related party transactions had a significant effect on financial distress in DT SACCOs in Kenya. The implications of the findings are that if the DT-SACCOs do not manage related party transactions then they will continue experiencing financial distress. The government through SASRA therefore should enact strict regulations in directors borrowing from SACCOs. The study has expounded on the body of knowledge on measures of financial distress in finance by introducing new relationships established. In terms of the contribution of the current study to innovation, the study used panel data analysis while other studies used OLS.