(KAPCHEROP, KENYA) – Residents and business operators in Kapcherop, Marakwet West Sub County, and its surrounding areas are expected to enjoy easy access to banking and credit facilities following the official opening of a new Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branch in the town.
The new branch will bring financial services closer to residents who previously travelled to Kapsowar, Iten, Kitale, and Kapenguria to access banking services, reducing the cost and time of financial transactions.
Speaking at the official launch, KCB Regional Sales Manager Bethwel Tanui said the establishment of the Kapcherop branch demonstrated the bank’s confidence in the region’s economic potential. He said the bank believes the region has enormous economic potential, which is why it has chosen to establish a physical presence there.
He said the branch would require the support of residents, traders, and institutions to grow into a sustainable and self sufficient outlet similar to other KCB branches across the country. Tanui said the objective is to grow together with the people of Kapcherop, adding that the closer the bank is to its customers, the better it can understand their needs and develop financial solutions that respond to their businesses and aspirations.
Tanui urged residents to embrace formal banking and take advantage of available financial products, including credit facilities, savings products, and business financing, saying access to appropriate financial services was critical to enterprise growth.
The Regional Business Manager for KCB’s North Western Region said the bank’s expansion strategy was anchored on bringing financial services closer to communities while supporting local economic development. He said Kapcherop is an emerging commercial centre with significant untapped potential, adding that the establishment of the branch will enable the bank to build stronger relationships with customers, understand their enterprises, and support them to grow.
KCB Kapcherop Branch Manager John Chepkonga assured residents that the new outlet would provide accessible and customer focused banking services tailored to the needs of individuals, traders, institutions, and other economic actors in the area. He said the bank is committed to working closely with the community and supporting the growth of businesses in Kapcherop and the surrounding region.
Chepkonga encouraged residents to visit the branch, engage with the team, and explore the financial solutions available to help them expand their economic activities. He added that the branch would seek to build trust with customers by understanding the nature of their enterprises and providing appropriate financial guidance.
KCB Iten Branch Manager Rose Rugut said decentralising banking services was critical in promoting financial inclusion and enabling communities to participate more effectively in the formal economy. She said the opening of the branch brings services closer to the people, meaning individuals and businesses will have easier access to savings, credit, and other financial services that can support their economic growth.
Rugut called on residents to support the new branch, saying its growth could create opportunities for the bank to expand its presence to other areas. She said that if the community embraces and supports the branch, its success will demonstrate the potential for further expansion of financial services to other parts of the region.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich said the presence of a local branch would enable the bank to better understand the needs of residents and support boda boda operators, traders, farmers, professionals, and other entrepreneurs through appropriate financial services and credit facilities.
He noted that the branch would also stimulate economic activity in Kapcherop by attracting more people to the town and creating opportunities for businesses such as shops, hotels, transport operators, and other service providers. Rotich said the bank will contribute to the growth of Kapcherop as a commercial centre, encouraging residents to take advantage of the available financial services, save, access business advice, and borrow responsibly to expand viable enterprises.
The Governor further appealed to KCB to consider qualified local youth during future recruitment, saying the region had many educated and hardworking young people.
He assured the bank of the county leadership’s support and said ongoing investments in health, education, housing, roads, and other infrastructure would complement private sector investments and accelerate the growth of Kapcherop. Rotich said the government will continue providing an enabling environment, but every individual and family must also take responsibility for improving their livelihoods through hard work and productive investment.