The central bank of Kenya left its key interest rate steady at 8.75% for a fourth consecutive meeting in October 2026, saying it saw inflation staying within its target range in the short term despite edging up in the past three months. Inflation in Kenya reached 6.8% in September 2026, its highest level since January 2024. Policymakers noted that government interventions, including subsidies and the temporary reduction of VAT on fuel, continue to mitigate inflationary pressures. The central bank also revised upwards its 2026 growth forecast to 5% from 4.9% seen in August, with El Niño representing a key risk to growth. source: Central Bank of Kenya

The benchmark interest rate in Kenya was last recorded at 8.75 percent. Interest Rate in Kenya averaged 12.79 percent from 1991 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 84.67 percent in July of 1993 and a record low of 0.83 percent in September of 2003. This page provides the latest reported value for - Kenya Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Kenya Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate in Kenya was last recorded at 8.75 percent. Interest Rate in Kenya is expected to be 8.75 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Kenya Interest Rate is projected to trend around 7.75 percent in 2027 and 7.25 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-09 02:25 PM Interest Rate Decision 8.75% 8.75% 8.75%
2026-08-11 03:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 8.75% 8.75% 8.75%
2026-10-07 03:10 PM Interest Rate Decision 8.75% 8.75% 8.75%
2026-12-09 03:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 8.75%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 2394393.00 2351176.00 KES Million Dec 2025
Foreign Exchange Reserves 21952.60 20795.40 USD Million Jul 2026
Interbank Rate 8.75 8.75 percent Oct 2026
Interest Rate 8.75 8.75 percent Oct 2026
Money Supply M1 2544.66 2557.85 KES Billion Aug 2026
Money Supply M2 4873.32 4994.23 KES Billion Aug 2026
Money Supply M3 6386.18 6474.95 KES Billion Aug 2026


Kenya Interest Rate
In Kenya, interest rates decisions are taken by The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the The Central Bank of Kenya. The official interest rate since August 2005 is the Central Bank Rate (CBR), which replaced the 91-day Treasury Bill (TB) rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
8.75 8.75 84.67 0.83 1991 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
Central Bank of Kenya Leaves Rates Steady
The central bank of Kenya left its key interest rate steady at 8.75% for a fourth consecutive meeting in October 2026, saying it saw inflation staying within its target range in the short term despite edging up in the past three months. Inflation in Kenya reached 6.8% in September 2026, its highest level since January 2024. Policymakers noted that government interventions, including subsidies and the temporary reduction of VAT on fuel, continue to mitigate inflationary pressures. The central bank also revised upwards its 2026 growth forecast to 5% from 4.9% seen in August, with El Niño representing a key risk to growth.
2026-10-07
Kenya Leaves Interest Rate Unchanged for 3rd Meeting
The Central Bank of Kenya left its benchmark interest rate at 8.75% on August 11th, 2026, a third straight hold, as policymakers stated that the current stance of monetary policy remained appropriate to ensure price and exchange rate stability. Headline inflation rose to 6.5%, driven by higher fuel costs that pushed up transportation and food prices, but remained within the bank’s 5% ±2.5% target range. Meanwhile, economic growth accelerated to 5.3% in the first quarter of 2026, from 4% in the previous quarter. Looking ahead, inflation is expected to remain within the target range in the near term, assuming a de-escalation of the Middle East conflict. However, risks remain elevated as the stop-start US-Iran conflict continues to disrupt global energy and fertilizer markets.
2026-08-11
Kenya Holds Key Policy Rate for 2nd Meeting
The Central Bank of Kenya left its benchmark interest rate at 8.75% on June 9, 2026, a second straight hold, saying policy remains appropriate to anchor inflation expectations and support exchange rate stability. Inflation rose for a third month to 6.7% in May, the highest since January 2024, driven by higher energy costs but remaining within the 5±2.5% target band. It is expected to stay within target in the near term, assuming the de-escalation of the Middle East conflict. The central bank said this outlook will be supported by a combination of monetary policy actions, government interventions including fuel VAT reductions and subsidies, favorable weather conditions supporting stable food prices, and exchange rate stability. Meanwhile, leading indicators point to resilient activity in Q1 2026. The economy is projected to grow 4.9%, down from a previous estimate of 5.3%, reflecting continued uncertainty posed by the Middle East conflict and trade policy developments.
2026-06-09