Lamu Town, the main commercial hub on Lamu Island in Kenya’s Coast Province, offers residents and visitors access to several licensed commercial banks concentrated along its seafront. The town currently has five operational commercial banks: Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Equity Bank, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), Gulf African Bank, and ABC Bank (African Banking Corporation). All five banks are located along the Lamu Town seafront, making them easily accessible for cash withdrawals, foreign currency exchange, and banking services.
Complete Bank List with Key Details
ATM Withdrawal Fees and important Notes
ATM Fee Information:
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DTB (Diamond Trust Bank): No fees for cash withdrawals
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Equity Bank: Charges approximately $4–$5 USD per withdrawal
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KCB: Charges approximately $4–$5 USD per withdrawal
Critical Banking Information for Lamu Visitors:
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No banks or ATMs exist in Shela Village – all banking services are in Lamu Town only
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No banks in Hindi (nearby town) – Co-Operative Bank Hindi branch is separate from Lamu Town
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Visa cards are accepted at most establishments in Lamu
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Foreign currency exchange is available at all five banks
Banking Services Available
All five banks in Lamu Town offer these core services:
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Cash withdrawals via ATM machines
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Foreign currency exchange for tourists and travelers
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Credit card transactions at ATMs and POS terminals
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Money transfers (including Western Union at Equity Bank)
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Islamic banking at Gulf African Bank (Kenya’s first and largest Islamic bank)
Geographic Context
Lamu Town serves as Lamu County’s commercial center, with DTB being the fifth commercial bank to establish operations following trade growth in the region. The seafront concentration of all five banks makes Lamu Town a convenient banking destination for island residents, though travelers should plan ahead if staying in Shela Village, which has no banking facilities.
For MoneyGram services, additional locations include Diamond Trust Bank (Lamu Branch), KCB (Lamu), and Co-Operative Bank (Hindi branch). Visitors should verify current operating hours before visiting, as some branches may have limited schedules.
