Nairobi governor Sakaja drops Co-op Bank as principal banker for Sidian Bank
By Adieri Mulaa
The Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration has dropped Co-operative Bank of Kenya as its principal banker for Sidian Bank effectively withdrawing cash pipeline of over 135 Nairobi county ran health facilities from the Gideon Muriuki’s led tier one bank to Chege Thumbi’s budding entity.
Through a circular dated November 5, 2025, Nairobi County acting County Secretary and Head of County Public Service Geoffery Akumali gave a two days compliance deadline to all officers in charge of Nairobi County health services to effect the new decree.
Consequently, they were directed to submit the completed account opening forms to Charles Kerich, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning by Friday, November 7.
The letter by AKumali referenced NCC/CS/GA/1011 cites a decision taken at the 69th County Executive Committee meeting dated October 28, 2025, which “resolved to designate Sidian Bank as its Principal Banker.”
The Informer Media Group has since established that majority of the health facility bosses have since opened.
There are also plans to transfer salary accounts of the over 11,000 City Hall’s workforce from Co-op Bank to Sidian Bank including the multi-billion car parking revenue.
The Nairobi County budget for 2025-2026 totals Sh44.6 billion, with Sh31.2billion allocated for recurrent spending and Sh13.4 billion for development.
Sidian Bank is among one of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) licensed financial institutions appointed in collection and remitting Social Health Authority (SHA) and Affordable Housing Project funds.
“Sidian Bank only facilitates collections, remitting directly to SHA accounts. We do not hold or manage SHA funds,” a past statement by Sidian Bank read in part.
