I&M Bank has officially opened its first branch in Kirinyaga County. Situated in the heart of Mwea, one of Kenya’s most productive rice-growing zones. The newly launched branch is not only a strategic expansion into a key agricultural region but also an affirmation of the bank’s long-term vision to deepen financial penetration among rural populations.
The Mwea Branch is located along the Nairobi–Meru highway near the bustling Nice Digital City. The launch was officiated by I&M Bank Kenya CEO Mr. Gul Khan and Kirinyaga’s Deputy Governor, H.E. David Githanda Githae. Designed using an eco-friendly container model and powered by solar energy, the branch epitomises I&M’s sustainable banking ethos while offering a fresh approach to efficient rural banking.
“Our entry into Kirinyaga County is part of a broader ambition to build a truly inclusive and future-facing bank,” said Mr. Gul Khan during the launch. “As we expand into this agriculturally rich region, we are not only investing in local communities but also reinforcing our relevance in Kenya’s evolving financial landscape. The fact that we’ve doubled our customer base in just two years speaks to the trust we’ve earned and the solutions we continue to design for a fast-changing market.”
Why Kirinyaga Makes Strategic Sense
Kirinyaga County is often referred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Kenya, thanks to its expansive Mwea Irrigation Scheme, which accounts for over 80% of the rice produced in the country. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), agriculture remains the largest contributor to Kirinyaga’s GDP, with over 70% of households engaged in farming. Yet, access to formal financial services in the county, particularly among smallholder farmers, has remained limited, creating a gap that institutions like I&M are now stepping in to fill.
For many farmers, challenges such as limited credit access, high input costs, post-harvest losses, and unpredictable markets have been persistent hurdles. By positioning its newest branch in Mwea, I&M Bank is aiming to transform these challenges into opportunities. The bank plans to offer tailor-made financial products such as agri-business loans, input financing, asset leasing, and financial literacy programs to help farmers manage and grow their incomes sustainably.
I&M Bank Opens New Branch In Mwea To Bridge the Financial Inclusion Gap
Financial inclusion is a central theme of Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint, and banks like I&M are increasingly aligning with this national agenda. The Central Bank of Kenya’s 2023 Financial Sector Stability Report noted that while national financial inclusion stands at 84%, counties like Kirinyaga, despite their economic potential, still lag in terms of access to formal credit and investment products.
By offering fast, accessible banking via a sustainable container branch model, I&M is not only reducing the cost of physical expansion but also enhancing last-mile service delivery. This branch is equipped to handle personal and SME banking needs, targeting rice farmers, agri-processors, agri-tech startups, and cooperatives, many of whom previously had to travel long distances to access full-service banking.
A Strategic Win for the Bank and the County
The launch of the Mwea Branch comes at a time when I&M Bank has been enjoying significant growth. Its customer base has doubled in the past two years, and its reputation continues to rise. The bank was recently named Best Retail Bank in Kenya at the 2025 Think Business Banking Awards, a recognition of its innovative products and strong customer service.
For the people of Kirinyaga, the arrival of I&M is a potential game-changer.
“The opening of I&M’s first branch in Kirinyaga is a vote of confidence in our county as the next frontier for investment,” stated Deputy Governor H.E. David Githanda Wachira. “This new branch is not just a banking hall. It is a bridge to financial empowerment, economic expansion, and shared prosperity.”
This sentiment echoes growing optimism among Kirinyaga residents, who see the bank’s entry as a catalyst for new investment, job creation, and expanded opportunities in agribusiness and local trade.
Expansion in a Saturated Market
Kenya’s banking sector, dominated by Tier-One institutions like Equity Bank, KCB, Co-operative Bank, and NCBA, has seen fierce competition over the past decade. These banks have aggressively pursued branch expansion, digital transformation, and product diversification to gain market share. While some have scaled back brick-and-mortar presence in favour of digital, others have taken a hybrid approach—blending technology with strategic physical locations.
I&M Bank’s move into Kirinyaga is significant in this context. Unlike its larger rivals, I&M has adopted a targeted expansion strategy that focuses on underserved yet economically active regions. The use of modular container branches, which are faster and cheaper to deploy, gives it agility that larger banks may lack.
Moreover, the bank’s investment in sustainable technology—such as solar-powered infrastructure—positions it well within the global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) finance movement. This not only appeals to development partners and ESG-conscious investors but also aligns with Kenya’s green economy agenda.
Opportunities in Agricultural Financing
Agricultural lending in Kenya has traditionally been perceived as high-risk, leading to underinvestment by commercial banks. However, this is beginning to change with the introduction of better data analytics, crop insurance products, and partnerships with agricultural cooperatives and fintech platforms.
I&M Bank appears poised to leverage these trends. It can work with farmer organizations in Mwea to introduce group lending models, contract farming arrangements, and access to climate-resilient finance—all of which can de-risk lending and improve repayment rates.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, the average rice farmer in Mwea produces between 20 to 30 bags per acre per season. With proper financial support for quality inputs and mechanisation, yields could be significantly increased. Access to affordable credit could enable farmers to scale operations, invest in value addition, and diversify into other high-value crops like tomatoes and French beans, which are also widely grown in the area.
A Boost for Small Businesses and Women Entrepreneurs
The economic impact of the new branch goes beyond agriculture. The Mwea Branch is expected to serve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) along the Nairobi–Meru corridor. This includes shops, hardware stores, agri-dealers, schools, transporters, and hotels that cater to the bustling local economy.
Importantly, I&M has also expressed interest in empowering women and youth entrepreneurs, who often face greater barriers to accessing capital. Through targeted products such as unsecured microloans, training programs, and mobile banking tools, the bank aims to democratize access to finance.
In 2024, women-owned businesses in Kenya accounted for only 14% of total formal credit disbursed, despite comprising over 33% of registered MSMEs, according to a report by Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Kenya. Branches like the one in Mwea can help narrow this gap.
Scaling Up and Building Partnerships
Looking forward, I&M Bank’s expansion into Kirinyaga could serve as a prototype for further growth into other agriculturally rich but underbanked counties such as Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi. These regions share similar economic profiles and could benefit from a replicable, low-cost, high-impact model.
Additionally, the bank could explore partnerships with county governments, agricultural SACCOs, donor agencies, and agri-tech startups to design more holistic support systems for farmers, from financing to market linkages and agronomic support.
I&M Bank’s launch of the Mwea Branch marks more than just an expansion of physical presence; it represents a commitment to economic empowerment, inclusive banking, and sustainable development. By anchoring itself in the heart of Kirinyaga’s agricultural belt, the bank is positioning to unlock not just new business but new possibilities.
In a sector where trust, accessibility, and relevance determine success, I&M’s move demonstrates a deep understanding of both national financial trends and hyper-local realities. As the county’s farmers and entrepreneurs step into the bank’s solar-lit, container-designed branch, they will not just be making transactions; they will be engaging with a partner in prosperity.
ALSO READ: I&M Group pre-tax profit up 25% to Sh20.8B
