It was 2008, January. Post Election Violence was at its peak. Getting money and food was a problem. Our food reserves had ran out, and we really needed something for supper. Then, while at Lower Kabete (KIA currently School of Government), I heard that there was a way I could reach Westlands and withdraw money. My mother’s Equity Bank account had slightly over shs 150, and if I could get there, withdraw the shs 100, we could buy some food for dinner. So I found my way to Westlands Equity Bank branch, clad with my mother’s ATM card. PIN ready in head.
I insert the ATM Card, checked the balance before I could do the withdrawal transaction. Joke on me. Her account balance wasn’t shs 157 as I had expected, but shs 57, an amount of money I couldn’t withdraw. I had to figure out how to get back to KIA. The riot police moving from town towards Westlands were drawing near. A vehicle, running from the riot police, agreed to give me a lift.
Immediately I arrived back at KIA I went online, and met with an opposition written posts claiming how Equity Bank had colluded with the Government to steal money from Kenyans, shs 100 per person. I was convinced, and convinced that there was nothing I could do about it. I reasoned, after all, shs 100 was too little to make a fuss.
Over the years I have had several other issues with Equity Bank most of them around their Equitel services, until I decided to leave banking with them all together. I actually do not bank with any bank at the moment – as MPESA provides me with all the banking services I may require. But for those who still bank, and specifically bank with Equity Bank, have a lot to say about the Bank.
Via the hashtag #MyEquityBankStory, Kenyans have gone on twitter to share their experiences with Equity Bank, both good and bad; mostly bad, and here are samples of some of the bad ones.
Equity Bank Steals Ksh2 Million From A Sick Grandmother. This really painful. what’s your story with Equity Bank? #MyEquityBankStory pic.twitter.com/JdncCHQqkc
— Sammy Mohammed 🇰🇪 (@Mohasamuel) September 26, 2019
Most of the ATM machines in this bank are unmaintained which leads to cards getting stuck in the machine. This only servers as a golden chance for the predators in the name of staff to get your card and withdraw lumps sum of money!! #MyEquityBankStory pic.twitter.com/cL3V9eMrIo
— THE PAUWORLD. || 🇰🇪. (@ThePauWorld) September 26, 2019
#MyEquityBankStory The last time I banked with Equity bank was during the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) and NDMA. These guys stole from hundreds of hunger stricken victims of Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Turkana and Marsabit counties. Billions from USAID and UKAID.
— The Mask (@TheMaskzio) September 26, 2019
See also: Equity Bank finally simplifies the process of renewing lost Equitel SIM Cards