Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has expanded its physical footprint in Kenya with the launch of a new branch in Kitui County, underscoring the lender’s continuing strategy to extend financial access to high-potential regional markets. The outlet, located at Chief Kitonga Building in Kitui Town, becomes DTB’s 92nd branch in Kenya and its 161st across East Africa, marking another milestone in the bank’s aggressive expansion agenda.
The move reinforces DTB’s commitment to supporting economic activity in counties whose business ecosystems are undergoing rapid transformation. Kitui — increasingly recognised for its vibrant SME base, agricultural output, retail activity, and rising investment in services — has emerged as a commercial hub linking Eastern Kenya to wider trade corridors.
Speaking during the official opening, George Otiende, DTB’s Director of Retail Banking, highlighted the bank’s intention to deepen its engagement with county-level economies by providing financial solutions tailored to local customer needs.
“The opening of the Kitui branch reaffirms DTB’s commitment to supporting economic growth across Kenya’s counties,” said Mr. Otiende. “Kitui is a key commercial hub with a vibrant SME and trade ecosystem. By expanding our presence here, we are ensuring that individuals, farmers, and businesses have access to tailored financial solutions that enable growth and long-term sustainability. We are committed to walking alongside our customers and providing services that meet their needs in a convenient and personalized manner.”
Boosting Access to Financial Services Across the Region
DTB’s Kitui branch is designed to serve a broad segment of the county’s population, including micro and small enterprises, traders, agribusinesses, salaried customers, and individual account holders. The branch will provide a full suite of personal and business banking services, among them:
- Personal and business accounts
- Loans and credit facilities
- Supply chain financing
- Mortgages
- Debit and credit cards
- Investment and savings products
Customers will also have access to DTB’s fast-growing range of digital banking platforms, offering secure, seamless, and 24/7 transactional capabilities. The bank noted that its hybrid model — combining digital solutions and physical branch support — remains essential for ensuring customer convenience and financial inclusion in both urban and underserved markets.
The Kitui branch offers dedicated relationship managers and customer support teams to provide in-person advisory services, especially for SMEs seeking credit, payment solutions, and growth financing.
Strategic Expansion Following Strong Branch Investment in 2025
DTB has intensified its branch rollout this year as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its retail and SME banking business. The Kitui branch comes shortly after the successful opening of the Mwea and Kilimani branches, along with the recent operationalisation of the Garissa branch, signalling a year of robust expansion for the bank.
The renewed branch investment aligns with DTB’s long-term strategy to position itself as the preferred bank for SMEs, which make up more than 80 percent of Kenya’s enterprises and account for the largest share of new job creation. By expanding into regions with significant economic potential, DTB aims to provide the financial infrastructure necessary to support local growth.
The bank’s branch-led growth approach also affirms its recognition that many businesses — particularly those in agriculture, retail trade, and manufacturing — continue to rely on in-person banking for high-value transactions, advisory services, and credit evaluation.
Kitui’s Growing Economic Significance
Kitui County has steadily gained prominence as an emerging economic hub in Eastern Kenya, buoyed by rising investment in agriculture, mining, trade, and SMEs. The area is also benefiting from improved road networks and increasing commercial activity driven by both county government initiatives and private sector interest.
Local businesses in the region have welcomed the entry of more financial players, noting that increased competition often translates into better access to credit, improved customer service, and broader product offerings.
DTB’s entry into Kitui is expected to boost the availability of formal financial services in a county where many SMEs still rely on informal lenders. The bank’s presence is also projected to stimulate investment activity by providing farmers, traders, and small enterprises with structured financing options and transactional support.
Strengthening Economic Participation in Counties
DTB’s branch expansion strategy follows the growing shift among Kenyan lenders toward deepening penetration in counties beyond the major urban centres. With increasing decentralisation and more counties positioning themselves as investment destinations, financial institutions are targeting emerging markets where business activity is rising and service gaps remain.
By reaching underserved and previously underbanked regions, banks are not only expanding their customer base but also enabling broader economic participation, especially for SMEs in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and trade.
DTB has emphasised its intention to continue investing in counties with strong growth potential, noting that physical presence remains central to fostering long-term customer relationships and driving sustainable banking operations.
“This expansion mirrors our ambition to be closer to our customers while supporting county economies and contributing to national development,” Mr. Otiende said.
Looking Ahead
With the rollout of the Kitui branch and several new outlets expected in the coming months, DTB is positioning itself as a key player in Kenya’s regional banking landscape. As competition intensifies among lenders targeting SMEs and county-level growth, DTB’s widened physical footprint is set to deepen its engagement with customers across the country.
