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Co-operative Bank Group (Co-op Bank), led by longtime chief executive Gideon Muriuki, has announced plans to distribute an interim dividend of Ksh5.9 billion ($45.4 million) to shareholders after posting stronger earnings in the first nine months of 2025.
The Nairobi-based lender said the payout, which is subject to shareholder approval, represents a dividend of Ksh1 ($0.0077) per share. Muriuki, who holds 117.5 million ordinary shares, will also benefit from the distribution. The announcement follows a solid performance across the group’s banking and non-banking units, reinforcing shareholders’ confidence.
Muriuki stands to pocket about $1 million
Co-op Bank reported a 12.3 percent rise in profit after tax to Ksh21.6 billion ($167.1 million), up from Ksh19.2 billion ($148.5 million) a year earlier. The earnings lift reflects stronger income from lending, improved cost controls, and contributions from subsidiaries including Kingdom Securities, Co-op Trust Investment Services, Co-operative Consultancy & Insurance Agency, Kingdom Bank, and Co-operative Bank of South Sudan.
Based on the proposed payout, Muriuki, who has overseen the lender’s expansion for more than two decades, is expected to earn roughly $908,978 from his stake. The payment places him among the top individual dividend earners on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, where Co-op Bank remains one of the most widely held financial stocks.
Management said the bank’s ongoing investment in branch expansion, digital channels and regional operations continues to support growth, even as lenders navigate higher funding costs and a mixed economic backdrop.
Co-op Bank raises dividend as profit climbs
The planned dividend comes as the lender posted another period of steady gains in its balance sheet. Shareholders’ funds rose 24.5 percent to Ksh164.2 billion ($1.27 billion), driven by retained earnings growth of Ksh12.5 billion ($96.7 million).
Total assets increased 8.6 percent to Ksh815.3 billion ($6.31 billion), supported by customer deposits which increased by 6.7 percent to Ksh548.6 billion ($4.24 billion) and a modest rise in lending. Co-op Bank also continued to widen its physical footprint. The lender's physical footprint continues to widen, reaching a total of 217 operating branches after opening 15 new outlets and executive centers across Kenya.
