Dennis Ngari, a resident of Rianjeru village in Embu County, faced significant challenges due to water scarcity in the semi-arid region. The community depended on a World Bank-funded water project, which often ran dry during the harsh dry seasons. As the sole breadwinner, Dennis struggled to provide enough water for his farm and his family’s needs, forcing him to make long trips on his boda-boda to fetch water from distant sources.
His farm, located near a river, had to compete with other farmers for the limited water supply, leaving his family in a constant struggle. In February 2021, Dennis found a lifeline through BIMAS microfinance. He received a loan of Ksh 42,000 to buy and install a 6,000-liter water tank at his home. This loan transformed his life.
With a reliable water supply, Dennis’s farm flourished, and his boda-boda business stabilized. The constant access to water allowed him to tend to his crops year-round, even during the dry seasons. Now, Dennis and his family are planning to expand their business, aiming for another loan to purchase a 10,000-liter tank to ensure an ample water supply for their growing farm.
Grateful for the support, Dennis says, “BIMAS came to my rescue when I was about to give up on farming. Now, I can farm in all seasons without worrying if the rivers run dry. My farming business has flourished since joining hands with BIMAS. We can nurture our farm day or night, rain or shine.”
Dennis’s story is a shining example of the positive impact BIMAS has had on his life and his family’s future.











![Kisumu, UN-Habitat sign Ksh2.7bn deal for social housing upgrade The signing ceremony took place in Kisumu, with Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o representing the county government and UN-Habitat Executive Director in Kenya, Anaclaudia Rossbach, signing on behalf of the UN agency. Under the agreement, both parties commit to jointly implementing the housing upgrade project, which Governor Nyong’o said will primarily target vulnerable groups. “The PINUA programme [is] designed to benefit the most vulnerable members of the community,” Nyong’o said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable neighborhoods equipped with essential services. Beginning November 1, 2025, the county government, working with UN-Habitat, will launch pilot projects in Kibuye Estate and Muhoroni Sub-County, based on designs and models developed through extensive public participation. The programme will focus on upgrading informal settlements by providing essential social infrastructure such as schools, sanitation facilities, affordable rental housing, early childhood development centres, and public open spaces. It also supports incremental housing models, allowing families to progressively build and eventually own decent homes. Rossbach emphasized UN-Habitat’s global commitment to driving transformative change in urban areas: “This partnership is crucial in advancing our new strategy, which focuses on improving housing access and digitally transforming informal settlements for everyone.” According to UN-Habitat housing architect Fred Omenya, the pilot phase will begin in January 2026 with the construction of two blocks of 24 housing units in Kibuye Estate.](https://businessinsights.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/About-us-still-25957706200_7ca2db7e5e_k-100x70.jpg)
