Blog
For many women in Mwiki Sub-Location, a loan of KSh 5,000 is not a small thing. It is a stock of merchandise for a kiosk, three months of school fees, a sewing machine that opens a new income stream, or a roof repair before the rains arrive. It is, in many cases, the difference between a family that manages and a family that falls behind.
In May 2026, four women's table banking groups nurtured by One Vision CBO completed their first savings cycle and collectively disbursed KSh 240,000 in loans to 51 members — a milestone that was celebrated with ululations, prayer, and the quiet satisfaction of women who built something real from scratch.
How the Groups Were Built
When One Vision CBO began the Women's Economic Empowerment Programme in October 2025, there was no infrastructure — just a community of women who knew they needed something better than asking relatives for money or falling into the hands of predatory lenders charging 30% monthly interest. Our programme organisers held initial sensitisation meetings in four zones of Mwiki, and within a month, four groups had self-organised, elected officials, written constitutions, and begun their savings journey.
Each group has between 12 and 20 members. Every member contributes a weekly savings amount — ranging from KSh 100 to KSh 500 depending on the group's agreed terms. The savings are recorded publicly on the table at each meeting (hence the name "table banking"), ensuring full transparency. After an initial savings period of three to four months, members became eligible to borrow up to three times their savings balance at a modest 10% flat interest rate — far below any commercial alternative.
What the Loans Are Being Used For
Our programme officer conducted post-disbursement interviews with 35 of the 51 loan recipients. The uses were diverse and revealing:
- Business stock and expansion (42%): Groceries, household goods, second-hand clothes, and raw materials for tailoring
- School fees (28%): Clearing fee balances that had kept children home, or paying for secondary school admissions
- Equipment purchase (18%): Sewing machines, food processing equipment, gas cylinders for frying businesses
- Household emergency (12%): Medical bills, urgent repairs, and funeral contributions
Interest Earned Funds Group Activities
The 10% interest earned on loans does not go to any external organisation — it remains within each group and is used to fund group activities including meeting refreshments, registration of group constitutions, and a small welfare fund for members facing hardship. By the end of Cycle 1, two groups had accumulated enough in their welfare funds to support a member whose house was damaged by fire — covering her rent for two months while she recovered.
Expanding to Two New Groups in 2026
Following the success of Cycle 1, One Vision CBO will establish two additional table banking groups before the end of 2026, targeting women in the Sections of Mwiki not yet covered by existing groups. We are also in discussions with a Nairobi microfinance institution to offer top-up loans of up to KSh 50,000 to groups that demonstrate strong repayment discipline — opening the door to more transformative levels of investment.