CBK Pairs KSh 40Bn Bond Reopening With Another Switch Auction in April Programme
The Central Bank of Kenya has launched a KSh 60Bn borrowing programme for April, combining a KSh 40Bn bond reopening with a KSh 20Bn switch auction. The reopening covers FXD1/2020/015 (8.9 years to maturity, 12.756% coupon) and FXD1/2018/025 (17.3 years, 13.400% coupon), with the auction on 1 April. The switch targets holders of FXD1/2016/010, maturing August 2026, offering an exchange into FXD1/2018/015 due May 2033. It is the fifth bond switch in Kenya's history and the third in 2026. Net borrowing through reopenings has reached KSh 687.50Bn across 13 auctions since July 2025.
Sidian Bank Profit Jumps 500% to KSh 1.73 Bn as Public Sector Deposits Reshape Balance Sheet
Sidian Bank posted a sixfold increase in profit after tax to KSh 1.73 Bn for the year ended 31 December 2025, up from KSh 287 Mn, the strongest result in the lender's 40-year history. Total assets grew 50.8% to KSh 90.80 Bn, driven by a 62.9% surge in customer deposits to KSh 72.30 Bn from public sector mandates including Nairobi County, the Social Health Authority, the housing levy, Kenya Railways, and KEMSA. Government securities holdings doubled to KSh 49.05 Bn. The CBK reclassified Sidian from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in September 2025.Kenya Weighs Funding to Evacuate Citizens Stranded in War Zones
Kenya is scrambling to fund evacuations from the war-hit regions even though the latest supplementary budget, drafted before the Middle East conflict, shows only modest increases
Insurance Statutory Manager Imposes Six-Month Moratorium on Three Insurers
Policyholders of three troubled insurers will face a six-month freeze on payouts after the Policyholders Compensation Fund (PCF) declared a moratorium following its appointment as statutory manager.Kenya Moves to Protect Resource Revenue with Three-Account Sovereign Wealth Fund
Kenya plans to channel future oil and mineral revenues into three separate accounts; Stabilisation, Strategic Infrastructure Investment, and, Future GenerationsKRA Proposes to Scrap KSh 5mn VAT Threshold
KRA is proposing to remove the KSh 5 million VAT registration threshold, requiring all businesses to charge and remit 16% VAT. The move aims to expand revenue collection but could increase costs for small traders and consumers.Uganda's Parliament Approves New Copyright Law With Harsher Penalties
Uganda’s Parliament has passed sweeping amendments to its copyright law, introducing stricter penalties for infringement, tighter rules on royalty collection and broader protectionM-Pesa to Reduce Personal Information Shared During "Send Money' Transactions
Safaricom will roll out enhanced data minimization on M-Pesa from 24 March 2026, reducing visible customer names and masking phone numbers in Send Money transactions while retaining essential transaction details.Kenya’s Options for Escape from 'Eurobondage'
Kenya needs to explore the issuance of social-linked bonds to ensure greater accountability over domestic and foreign commercial borrowing. Writes Cuba Houghton
Posta Swings to Profit on KSh 1.54Bn Backdated Huduma Kenya Rent
Postal Corporation of Kenya reported a net surplus of KSh 488.7 Mn for FY2024/25, reversing a KSh 1.09 Bn prior-year loss. The result was driven by KSh 1.54 Bn in extraordinary backdated Huduma Kenya rent covering 2013 to 2025, none of which has been collected in cash. Excluding this, the operating deficit was KSh 1.05 Bn. The Auditor-General issued a qualified opinion citing going concern risk, KSh 6.88 Bn negative working capital, and KSh 4.59 Bn in unremitted payroll deductions.Counties' Health Facility Cash Lifeline Raises Red Flags for Kenya’s Fiscal Planning
Kenya’s devolved governments are increasingly relying on facility-generated health revenues to plug widening budget gaps, raising concerns among policy makersState Struggles to Deploy Billions Through Digital Procurement - Controller of Budget
Kenya’s digital procurement overhaul is slowing development spending, leaving billions unspent as ministries and suppliers navigate the Electronic Government Procurement System (E-GPS)
