Kenyans living and working abroad sent KSh53 billion in remittances home in January 2026, equivalent to $411.3 million, a 3.8 percent decline from the same period last year.
According to a Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) bulletin shared on February 13, remittance inflows stood at USD 411.3 million in January 2026, a decline of USD 16.1 million from the USD 427.4 million recorded in January 2025.
“Remittance inflows to Kenya totalled USD 411.3 million in January 2026 from USD 427.4 million in January 2025, a decrease of 3.8 percent,” read part of the bulletin.
However, cumulative inflows for the 12 months to January 2026 rose 1.2 percent to USD 5.021 billion, up from USD 4.96 billion in the corresponding period in 2025.
The CBK noted that remittance inflows remain a key source of foreign exchange earnings and continue to support the country’s balance of payments.
CBK Reports Kenyan Shilling Remained Stable
The Kenya Shilling remained stable against major international and regional currencies during the week ending February 12, 2026.
It exchanged at Ksh129.02 per U.S. dollar on February 12, unchanged from February 5.
In the money market, liquidity conditions remained stable during the week ending February 12, 2026, supported by active open market operations.
Commercial banks’ excess reserves averaged KSh 12.7 billion above the 3.25 percent Cash Reserve Ratio requirement.
Also Read: Win for Kenyans as CBK Lowers Lending Rates by 25 Basis Points
The Kenya Shilling Overnight Interbank Average Rate (KESONIA) eased to 8.78 percent on February 12 from 8.99 percent on February 5.
CBK noted that the average number of interbank transactions rose to 26 during the week, up from 14 in the previous week, while the average value traded increased to KSh7.5 billion from KSh6.7 billion.
Also Read: Banks Slash Loan Interest Rates After CBK Move
Results of Re-Opened Bonds
In the government securities market, the Treasury bill auction held on February 12 attracted bids worth KSh74.1 billion against an advertised amount of KSh24.0 billion, translating to a performance rate of 308.8 percent.
Similarly, the Treasury bond auction held on February 11 saw strong investor demand, with the reopened 15-year and 25-year bonds receiving bids totaling KSh213.8 billion against an advertised KSh50.0 billion, representing a 427.5 percent performance.
CBK Lowers Lending Rates
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to lower the Central Bank Rate (CBR) by 25 basis points to 8.75 percent from 9.00 percent during its meeting held on February 10, 2026.
The MPC observed that overall inflation was expected to remain below the midpoint of the target range in the near term and that central banks in the major economies have continued to ease monetary policy, at a cautious and uneven pace depending on their inflation and growth outlooks.
Further, the MPC observed that average lending rates in the domestic market have continued to decline, while private-sector credit growth has continued to improve, though at a slower pace than desirable.
To strengthen the effectiveness of the monetary policy implementation framework and enhance monetary policy transmission, the MPC approved the narrowing of the interest rate corridor around the CBR from ±75 basis points to ±50 basis points, and the adjustment of the applicable interest rate on the Discount Window from 75 basis points above CBR to 50 basis points.
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