A team from the NBK poses for a photo with the Garissa
County Assembly leadership./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
A team from the NBK during a meeting with the Garissa County
Assembly leadership./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garissa County Assembly clerk Mohamed Santur/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The National Bank of Kenya[ NKB] has entered into a strategic engagement with the County Assembly of Garissa, which seeks to deepen their collaboration, enhance service delivery and support priority development initiatives across the county.
The NBK Managing Director, George Odhiambo, said they were looking forward to deepening financial inclusion and accelerating grassroots development.
He spoke during a meeting with the County Assembly leadership.
In attendance were Hulugho MCA Adow Omar (Speaker Panel 1), Assembly Clerk Mohamud Santur, Abakhaile MCA Hajir Dahiye, who also chairs the Finance, Budget and Appropriation Committee, and County Assembly Service Board (CASB) Member Abdirizak Ismail.
The MD lauded the Assembly’s consistent partnership with NBK over the years.
He emphasized the bank’s commitment to facilitating smooth financial operations, including reliable payroll systems, and enhancing CSR support in education, environment, and infrastructure.
“This renewed collaboration between Garissa leadership and NBK signals a new chapter in service delivery, with a strong focus on empowering women, equipping the youth, and expanding access to financial services countywide,” he said.
“We value the trust the County Assembly has placed in us. We are here not just as bankers, but as development partners . We are investing in systems that enhance efficiency and accountability to better serve the people of Garissa,” Odhiambo added.
The engagements took place across two strategic meetings—one with the Executive, chaired by Chief of Staff Abdullahi Gedi, and another with the County Assembly leadership and Clerk Mohamud Santur.
Discussions covered a wide array of initiatives, including revenue automation, rollout of Shariah-compliant financial products, and targeted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs aligned with local priorities.
The visit, which also included Access Bank MD Ralph Chinedu, marked a renewed commitment to transformative partnerships focused on women and youth empowerment, skills development, and inclusive service delivery.
Gedi underscored the county’s vision for inclusive growth
“Strong financial partnerships like this help us improve service delivery, grow our revenue base, and ensure residents benefit directly from modern and inclusive banking solutions,” Gedi said.
Gedi also encouraged NBK to open new branches in sub-counties and support the newly established Garissa Municipality, where access to banking services remains limited.
Clerk Mohamud Santur emphasized the importance of working with a financial partner that understands the unique challenges faced by county assemblies, particularly during delays in disbursement of funds from the National Treasury.
“In our work, there are moments when bureaucratic processes at the Treasury slow down the flow of resources. During such times, it is crucial to have a supportive and flexible financial institution that ensures we meet our obligations to staff and service providers without disruption,” Santur noted.
Echoing the call for deeper outreach, Hulugho MCA Adow Omar urged NBK to establish a branch in Hulugho Sub-County, which lies at the Kenya-Somalia border and remains underserved.
“Hulugho remains underserved in terms of access to financial services. Expanding NBK’s footprint to this region would greatly benefit residents, government offices, and small businesses, while also deepening financial inclusion,” Hon. Adow remarked.
MD Odhiambo affirmed the bank’s intention to review the request, aligning it with their mission to reach marginaliSed and remote communities.
