1971 - 1997
English
Transforming communities through dignity, solidarity, and financial inclusion since 1983.
The story of Caritas Microfinance Bank is rooted in Catholic social teaching, community solidarity, and a vision of socio-economic self-reliance. What began as a humble parish collection has grown into a nationwide microfinance institution empowering thousands of individuals, families, and businesses across Kenya.
The Seed at Kiriko Parish (1983)
Our story began in 1983 at Kiriko Catholic Parish in Gatundu North. Facing widespread economic hardship, the late Servant of God, Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga, alongside parish priest Father Mukui and local congregants, championed the principle of self-reliance over dependency.
On that historic Sunday, parishioners each contributed KES 20, raising a modest total seed fund of KES 680. This single act marked the birth of the Self-Help Group (SHG) movement within the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi.
Spreading Across Parishes
The success of Kiriko Parish rapidly sparked a movement across Small Christian Communities (SCCs) in Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
To structure and scale this growing impact, Caritas Nairobi was established as the social development arm of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. Caritas Nairobi nurtured informal savings groups, enabling members to pool resources and access low-interest loans for school fees, farming, emergency needs, and small business growth.
Scaling Up to Met Growing Needs
By the late 2000s, the parish self-help groups had grown exponentially, managing millions of shillings in member savings.
Recognizing the profound link between financial access and poverty reduction, His Eminence John Cardinal Njue envisioned a microfinance bank to serve the growing needs of these communities. This vision was embedded in Caritas Nairobi’s Strategic Plan 2009-2013, setting the stage for the formation of Caritas Microfinance Bank.
The goal was clear: establish a bank that maintained its core values of social good while providing formal, secure, and accessible financial services to underserved populations.
In June 2015, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) granted a nationwide deposit-taking microfinance license to Caritas Microfinance Bank (CMFB).
Opening its doors at Cardinal Otunga Plaza in Nairobi, Caritas Microfinance Bank bridged the gap between pastoral development work and formal financial inclusion, offering structured savings, micro-loans, asset financing, and digital banking solutions. The bank has now come to have 10 branches and 3 marketing offices.
Today, Caritas Microfinance Bank serves thousands of clients through a expanding branch network, mobile banking channels, and agency banking partners.
Community-Centered Growth: We remain deeply rooted in supporting self-help groups, micro-enterprises, smallholder farmers, and institutional partners.
Ethical Banking: Driven by human dignity and solidarity, our financial solutions are tailored to empower communities sustainably.
Modern Accessibility: Through digital platforms (*810#, mobile apps, and card services), we deliver seamless banking wherever our customers are.
Four archbishops have guided the Archdiocese of Nairobi, the sponsor of Caritas Microfinance Bank.
1971 - 1997
1997 - 2007
2007 - 2021
2021 - Present
Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi