Leveraging its strong financial performance, governance structure and a mission to serve the under privileged members of our society, microfinance institution attracts a team of local and international funders
Being in the business of lending, Yehu works closely with strong financial partners locally and globally in order to meet its goals. “Globally, we are keen on partnering with social impact investors who are aligned with our mission of transforming the lives of vulnerable communities in the rural areas,” says Daisy Achieng, the chief finance officer. The fact that more than ninety percent of Yehu’s operations are in the rural and peri-urban areas, and the lender predominantly serves the vulnerable populace – more than seventy five percent being women- makes it a very viable partner of social investors.
“We have remained faithful to our mission since we got established,” affirms Achieng. Led by a board of nine directors, Yehu also has a very strong governance structure.
According to Achieng, partners take into consideration the financial performance of an institution, its governance structure and faithfulness to its mission before coming on board. Yehu scores highly in those parameters. Over the years, the lender has run its business profitably. During the COVID-19 period (2019 -2022), despite experiencing a big shock on its business, Yehu demonstrated a lot of resilience. Customers were able to get the products and services that they required despite the lock-down in the economy. “Our lending during that period was very prudent and we didn’t lock out any customer requiring to access our products and services,” Achieng affirms. Against this background, Yehu attracted many international partners. One of them supported the lender to migrate from manual to digital operations. This included issuing tablets to its credit officers, hence enhancing their service delivery. The finance partners of Yehu include: Grammin Agricore, Oikocredit, Spark Plus, Enabling Capital, Moringa Way, Soluti Finance East Africa and MESPT.
Prudence
The ability to honour the repayment obligation agreed upon with the financial partners according to Achieng cuts across various operational activities. “This include collection of loans from our customers, cash flow management and financial projections,” she says.
Yehu credit officers meet customers in the field on a daily basis. This close working relationship ensures that challenges facing the customers are addressed as and when they arise. The co-guaranteeing method embraced by groups also ensures that customers are able to service their loans on time. Additionally, Yehu works closely with community leaders in administering a smooth loan disbursement and collection process.
By the same token, staff members are trained on how to service customers and maintain a cordial working relationship with them. Those who achieve their targets are rewarded as a means of enhancing their performance. Most importantly, outstanding customers get motivational rewards, hence contributing significantly to the growth of their enterprises.
Ronny Murega, Mtwapa branch manager,Yehu Microfinance.
EXPANDING FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN MTWAPA: A BRANCH MANAGER’S PERSPECTIVE
When Ronny Murega took up the role of branch manager at Yehu Microfinance in Mtwapa in June this year, he stepped into a vibrant ecosystem of community-driven financial empowerment. In just four months, he has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of microfinance in one of Kenya’s fastest-growing regions.
At the heart of Mtwapa branch’s operations are over three hundred and eighty seven groups, known as centres, spread across five sub-branches: Vipingo, Kikambala, Kanamai, Majengo and Mtwapa itself. Each centre is directly supported by a designated credit officer who meets members daily, offering financial literacy training, business advisory, and loan support. Murega explains that this structure not only strengthens accountability, but also ensures that Yehu remains close to the realities of the communities it serves.
“As a manager, I often attend these centre meetings, not just to observe, but to ensure things are being done the right way. What we do here is much bigger than loans; we empower communities,” he notes.
The results of this empowerment are visible across the region. Previously underserved areas are now seeing tangible improvements in livelihoods, income stability, and community growth. Clients speak with pride about how access to timely, affordable loans has reshaped their businesses and households.
Under Murega’s leadership, the branch has placed a strong emphasis on expansion and outreach. His goal is to extend Yehu’s footprint to areas that remain unreached, ensuring that more households benefit from financial literacy, access to credit, and the supportive group model that defines Yehu. Much of this growth relies on referrals, with existing clients becoming ambassadors for Yehu’s model of community-based finance.
The hallmark of Yehu’s service, according to Murega, is efficiency and customer experience. “Our loans are disbursed quickly, sometimes within a single day. Combine that with personalized customer experience, and it is clear why clients trust Yehu,” he says.
Looking ahead, Murega envisions an even stronger Mtwapa branch, one that deepens relationships with existing clients while scaling outreach to new communities. His leadership underscores a core belief: that true financial inclusion is not just about numbers, but about transforming lives and uplifting communities.
