The Central Bank of Kenya held its benchmark interest rate at 8.75% on April 8, 2026, pausing after ten consecutive rate cuts since August 2024, totaling 425 basis points. The Committee said the current stance remains appropriate to keep inflation expectations anchored and the exchange rate stable, noting risks from recent oil price increases. Governor Kamau Thugge noted that the conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global supply chains, driving energy prices sharply higher and increasing risks to the global economic outlook. The annual inflation rate in Kenya ticked higher to 4.4% in March from a seven-month low of 4.3% in February but remains below the 5% midpoint of the central bank’s target range. It is expected to remain within the target range for the short term. Meanwhile, the central bank cut its economic growth outlook to 5.3% from an earlier projection of 5.5%, reflecting the emerging risks from the conflict. source: Central Bank of Kenya

The benchmark interest rate in Kenya was last recorded at 8.75 percent. Interest Rate in Kenya averaged 12.83 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 April 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 7.50 percent in 2027 and 7.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-12-09 01:30 PM
Interest Rate Decision
9% 9.25% 9.0%
2026-02-10 01:55 PM
Interest Rate Decision
8.75% 9.0% 8.75%
2026-04-08 02:20 PM
Interest Rate Decision
8.75% 8.75% 8.75%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 2333783.00 2297434.00 KES Million Jun 2025
Foreign Exchange Reserves 18607.80 18166.80 USD Million Dec 2025
Interbank Rate 8.75 8.75 percent Apr 2026
Interest Rate 8.75 8.75 percent Apr 2026
Money Supply M1 2405.97 2366.62 KES Billion Dec 2025
Money Supply M2 4682.65 4605.23 KES Billion Dec 2025
Money Supply M3 6029.35 5913.63 KES Billion Dec 2025


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
Kenya Halts Rate-Cut Cycle
The Central Bank of Kenya held its benchmark interest rate at 8.75% on April 8, 2026, pausing after ten consecutive rate cuts since August 2024, totaling 425 basis points. The Committee said the current stance remains appropriate to keep inflation expectations anchored and the exchange rate stable, noting risks from recent oil price increases. Governor Kamau Thugge noted that the conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global supply chains, driving energy prices sharply higher and increasing risks to the global economic outlook. The annual inflation rate in Kenya ticked higher to 4.4% in March from a seven-month low of 4.3% in February but remains below the 5% midpoint of the central bank’s target range. It is expected to remain within the target range for the short term. Meanwhile, the central bank cut its economic growth outlook to 5.3% from an earlier projection of 5.5%, reflecting the emerging risks from the conflict.
2026-04-08
Kenya Delivers 10th Straight Rate Cut
Kenya's central bank trimmed its benchmark interest rate by 25 bps to 8.75% on February 10, 2026, marking its tenth consecutive rate cut following a similar move in December. Policymakers said the decision builds on previous policy actions designed to stimulate private-sector lending and support economic activity, while safeguarding price stability and a stable exchange rate. The annual inflation rate in Kenya eased to a six-month low of 4.4% in January 2026, from 4.5% in December, staying below the 5% midpoint of the central bank’s target range. It is expected to remain below the midpoint of the target range in the near term. Meanwhile, the central bank noted that Kenya’s economy remained resilient in Q3 2025, with the GDP rising 4.9%. Full-year GDP growth is now projected at 5% for 2025, down from the previous 5.2% estimate because of slower agriculture, and is expected to accelerate to 5.5% in 2026 and 5.6% in 2027, supported by services and industry.
2026-02-10
Kenya Cuts Key Policy Rate for 9th Meeting
The Central Bank of Kenya slashed its benchmark interest rate by 25 bps to 9% in its December 2025 meeting, marking the ninth consecutive rate cut. Governor Kamau Thugge said the decision “will augment the previous policy actions aimed at stimulating lending by banks to the private sector and supporting economic activity”. "The cut will also ensure inflation expectations stay firmly anchored, and the exchange rate remains stable", he added. The annual inflation rate in Kenya eased to 4.5% in November from 4.6% in each of the previous two months. Inflation has been below the 5% midpoint of the central bank’s target band since mid-2024. It is expected to remain below that level in the near term, thanks to lower processed food prices, stable energy costs, and continued exchange rate stability.
2025-12-09