The story of the woman dealing with Equity Bank’s Chogoria branch shows how badly things can go when a lender forgets basic humanity.
What should have been a normal loan with steady monthly deductions has now turned into a case of intimidation, threats, and pressure that no ordinary Kenyan should be subjected to.
The woman, a simple farmer, took the loan earlier this year with the understanding that her milk payments would cover the monthly instalments.
At the time, she had two cows and enough milk to meet her obligations without any trouble.
Everything changed three months ago when one of her cows died. With only one animal left, her milk production reduced.
This meant the dairy payments going into her Equity account dropped, and even though she kept repaying the loan with whatever little came in, the amount was no longer enough to fully cover the instalments. Equity continued taking every shilling deposited into her account, leaving her with nothing for her own needs.
This imbalance pushed her behind by Ksh 8,000. Even then, she did not stop paying.
The problem was simply that the milk earnings had reduced. Instead of understanding her situation or offering a reasonable solution, staff from Equity Bank Chogoria branch allegedly chose threats and fear tactics.
They began calling her repeatedly, issuing warnings, and putting unnecessary pressure on her despite her clear effort to pay.
According to her account, the situation escalated when the bank staff went to her home. She explained what had happened, how the death of her cow affected her income, and how she had continued paying what she could.
But they refused to listen, showing no interest in her reality.
What makes the situation more disturbing is the threat they left behind. The staff allegedly told her they would return this week with a car to take her remaining cow and sell it.
This cow, valued at about Ksh 120,000, is her only source of livelihood. The idea that a financial institution would push to seize property worth more than 100,000 shillings over an 8,000-shilling balance she has been actively paying demonstrates a lack of proportionality and fairness.
It raises serious questions about the conduct of the bank’s collection methods and how much pressure they place on ordinary borrowers who fall into difficulties beyond their control.
This case spotlight the wider problem many rural borrowers face when dealing with financial institutions that ignore changing circumstances.
Instead of helping restructure the loan or advising the customer, the bank appears more interested in using intimidation to push repayment. Such behaviour erodes trust and leaves vulnerable people even more helpless.
Equity Bank needs to address this behaviour urgently, because no borrower deserves to be threatened at home over a small balance while they are still paying.
Add Comment