Kendu Bay in Karachuonyo constituency, Homa Bay county has trended on social media following the joy and frenzy that came with the first ever bank in the area.
While others said it was the end of keeping money under the mattress for locals, others teased that ATM should be set in Dholuo which is the local dialect.

“It is good that we have a bank and an ATM machine. How I wish they set the language in Dholuo, just so we are sure we are pressing the right buttons, lest we press the wrong one and lose our money,” said Monica, a roasted peanuts hawker.

Vincent Oloo, a local vendor, said that he will camp at the bank premises to ensure the safety of his money, insisting on the need to help the employed guard should the need arise.
“I opened a bank account with ksh1,700. This is my hard earned money and I will personally make sure it is safe. Then and only then will I consider saving more with the bank,” said Oloo.
Daniel Omollo and a group of friends told Kondele News that they stayed up all night near the bank premises, guarding their deposits.
“It is our first time trusting another entity with our money. In fact we did not go fishing for the very first time, just to ensure our money was safe,” said Omollo.
Ochieng Orwenjo took to social media, marveling at how the residents have turned the first commercial bank in the area into a tourist attraction site, meeting joint and a hub for selling njugu karanga(roasted peanuts) and sukari nguru(jaggery).
While other residents opened accounts, others went site seeing, looking at how the bank operates.
“Sisi tulienda tu kuona bank inakaaje na wanafanyanga nini huko. (We just went to see what happens inside the bank, nothing more),” said Kevin.
Speaking during the launch, the managing director Annastacia Kimtai said that Kendu Bay was a region full of potential and endless opportunities.
“Beyond providing banking services, we are committed to fostering partnerships that will uplift the community,” said Kimtai.
She also promised the residents financial literacy programs, entrepreneurship training and community engagement aimed at creating jobs and empowering the locals.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga also graced the occasion, expressing her support and excitement for the new development.