Diamond Trust Bank lands in Garissa, ignites push for financial inclusion in northern Kenya

In a significant milestone for northern Kenya, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has opened its first branch in Garissa town, with county leaders urging financial institutions to invest in financial literacy in rural areas.

The bank’s entry into the region is viewed as a boost to the local economy, with leaders calling for more tailored services to support small-scale businesses and industrial growth.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo stressed the need for banks to expand beyond urban centres and serve the largely underserved rural population.

"It's high time banks invest in rural areas, where the majority of the population lacks banking opportunities due to high rates of illiteracy," he said.

Support small-scale businesses

Mohamed, represented by the deputy county commissioner, urged DTB to offer services that support small-scale businesses, industrial growth, and digital transformation.

Governor Nathif Jama welcomed DTB as the eighth bank to invest in Garissa, calling it a sign of growing confidence in the county’s direction.

"When a bank invests in your town, it shows money is moving and confidence is rising. Garissa is growing, and investors are responding."

He encouraged DTB to strengthen ties with residents through Islamic finance products and to expand services to all six sub-county headquarters.

Former Kenyan ambassador to Botswana and long-serving Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye welcomed DTB’s expansion and urged the bank to open more branches in other counties.

"The region is underbanked, and we have a lot of potential in businesses, livestock trade, and crop farming," he said.

La Riba banking

Shidiye also emphasised the need for banks to offer services tailored to diverse community needs, including La Riba products.

Rukia Mohamed, a director at the Garissa Chamber of Commerce, speaking on behalf of traders, welcomed the new branch and stressed the importance of promoting financial literacy.

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• Northern Kenya
• Northern Kenya
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• Sharia banking
• Diamond Trust Bank
• rural banking
• financial inclusion
• La RIBA
• Diamond Trust Bank lands in Garissa
• ignites push for financial inclusion in northern Kenya

"The majority of our people are pastoralists; they trust keeping money in their homes more than using banking facilities. They need to be educated," she encouraged.

She also called for services aligned with Islamic Sharia.

DTB’s Central and Eastern Region Banking Manager, Anthony Muiruri, announced that the bank plans to expand to Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Tana River, and other counties in Northern Kenya.

"We had a meeting with Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, and opening bank branches in sub-counties was among his proposals," he said.

Muiruri added that DTB, as part of the Aga Khan Development Network, is ready to invest in the region, with other economic pillars such as Jubilee Insurance and tourism also set to invest.

DTB’s Head of Retail Banking, George Otiende, said the bank will invest in Sharia-compliant solutions, assuring customers that the new branch will meet their expectations.

"We will deliver services built on trust," he said.

Garissa Branch Manager Hassan Abdille urged the local community to bank with the new branch, promising investment in community outreach, financial inclusion, and partnerships with local organisations and government institutions.

The opening of DTB’s Garissa branch marks an important step toward financial inclusion in the region.

As the bank expands its services, it is expected to positively impact the local economy by providing much-needed financial services to individuals and businesses.

With the county commissioner’s call for financial literacy programmes, DTB’s investment comes at a timely moment, reinforcing its commitment to outreach and inclusion.