×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Read Offline Anywhere
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Banks defy digital tide to court rural borrowers

From left: Shameer Patel, Mary Githinji, Rev. Erick Kalya, H.E. Isaiah Keter, Oliver Kirior and Stanley Gachoki cut a cake during the opening of the I&M Bank Kapsabet branch on September 4, 2025.

Kenya’s banks are expanding rural branches despite global closures, chasing micro, small and medium enterprise and farm lending in a shift from the digital‑only focus seen elsewhere.

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week
Bold Reporting Takes Time, Courage and Investment. Stand With Us.
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimized reading experience
  • Weekly Newsletters
  • MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Already a subscriber? Log in
Business
Kenya secures landmark zero-duty trade deal with China
Business
Motorists miss bigger cut in fuel costs despite drop in pump prices
By Brian Ngugi 11 hrs ago
Business
Kenya trade strategy with Iran at crossroad over Trump's warning