Original Partner Description

Yehu Microfinance Trust was founded in 1998 as a project of CHOICE Humanitarian Kenya, a US-based NGO. The program began by mobilizing member savings, and in 2000 started issuing loans from the member savings.

In July 2007, Yehu became a separated entity from CHOICE and was registered as a Trust. Since then, Yehu has expanded to 6 branches , covering 7 of the 13 Coastal districts.

Yehu targets rural entrepreneurs in Kenya’s Coast province, with a keen focus on women. Yehu offers seven “responsive” credit products, through the Grameen group lending methodology.

To provide responsive financial services to clients in Kenya’s uncertain agriculture environments is an integral part of Yehu’s mission. The flexible features of these products help to mitigate particular challenges faced by the clients’ agricultural-based activities.

Yehu operates from an innovative sub-branch organizational model. A sub-branch is defined by both geographical area and number of clients. In sub-branches, all planning and cost allocations are scaled down to the most basic levels. This allows for greater focus, control and tracking of the portfolio and financial indicators at the source of value creation.

Going forward, Yehu seeks to expand into three additional Coastal districts over the next three years, while establishing new branches and sub-branches to meet the needs of clients in these areas.