Kenya’s Inflation Rises to 7.3% in October
Kenya’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 7.3% in October 2026, up from 6.8% in September, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). This marks the highest inflation rate in the past year and brings inflation closer to the upper limit of the Central Bank of Kenya’s target range of 2.5% to 7.5%.
The increase was driven by higher prices in three major categories: Transport; Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages; and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels over the 12-month period.
With inflation now approaching the upper end of the CBK’s target band, upcoming price developments and monetary policy decisions will be important indicators to watch.
Treasury Bills Attract KSh 51.69 Billion in Bids
The Central Bank of Kenya received KSh 51.69 billion in bids against an advertised KSh 28 billion in its latest Treasury Bills auction, representing an overall subscription rate of approximately 184.6%.
The 91-day Treasury Bill recorded the strongest demand, attracting KSh 40.57 billion in bids against an offer of KSh 8 billion. This indicates particularly strong investor interest in the shortest of the three available investment tenors.
The weighted average interest rates were:
- 91-day Treasury Bill: 8.7498%
- 182-day Treasury Bill: 8.8508%
- 364-day Treasury Bill: 9.0288%
Ecobank Kenya Appoints Risper Alaro to Its Board
Ecobank Kenya has appointed Risper Alaro as a Non-Executive Director, following approval by the Central Bank of Kenya.
Alaro brings more than 25 years of experience in financial leadership and business transformation. Her appointment also increases women’s representation on the bank’s nine-member board to five members, accounting for approximately 55% of board membership.
Standard Group Appoints Dr. Naim Bilal Yaseen as Group CEO
Standard Group PLC has appointed Dr. Naim Bilal Yaseen as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November 2026.
Dr. Yaseen brings more than 30 years of experience spanning media, public institutions and corporate governance. His previous roles include Managing Director of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and Director of Public Affairs and Communication at the Judiciary.
KenGen Names Ronoh Kibet Charles as CEO Designate
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has appointed Ronoh Kibet Charles as Managing Director and CEO designate, effective 1 February 2027. He will succeed Eng. Peter Njenga, who is retiring.
Kibet currently serves as KenGen’s General Manager for Commercial Services and brings more than 17 years of experience in geothermal development, project delivery and commercial strategy.
Notably, KenGen delivered a strong return for shareholders over the past three years. Investors who purchased the stock at KSh 2.33 per share when Eng. Peter Njenga took over as CEO in August 2023 and recorded a capital gain of KSh 8.27 per share, alongside cumulative dividends of KSh 2.30 per share. This translates to a total return of KSh 10.57 per share, equivalent to approximately 454% over the period, or an annualised return of 60.88%
Absa Group Opens First Gulf Region Office in Dubai
Absa Group has opened its first office in the Gulf region at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), strengthening its focus on trade and investment links between Africa and the Middle East.
The office will connect Gulf-based investors and businesses with opportunities across Absa’s network of 16 African markets, with a focus on cross-border business and investment flows.
Absa Bank Kenya has also launched the inaugural Absa City Run in Eldoret, as part of its celebrations marking 100 years of partnership with customers and communities in the region.
I&M Bank Wins Two Awards at the Asian Banker Africa Awards 2026
I&M Bank has won two awards at the Asian Banker Africa Awards 2026, receiving recognition as Best Retail Bank in Kenya and Best SME Bank in Kenya.
The awards recognise the bank’s performance in serving individual and business customers, alongside its focus on customer experience, innovation and digital banking. The awards form part of The Asian Banker’s international programme recognising excellence and institutional performance across Africa’s financial services sector.
DTB Tanzania and NCBA Tanzania Report Strong Profit Growth
The Tanzanian subsidiaries of Kenyan banking groups have reported stronger earnings in the third quarter of 2026.
DTB Tanzania recorded a 37.7% increase in profit after tax to TSh 50.8 billion, equivalent to approximately KSh 2.5 billion. Meanwhile, NCBA Tanzania reported a 29.3% increase in profit after tax to TSh 8.4 billion, or approximately KSh 400 million.
CRDB and NMB Maintain Leading Positions in Tanzania’s Banking Sector
Tanzania’s banking sector continues to demonstrate growth, with CRDB Bank and NMB Bank maintaining prominent positions in the market.
CRDB stands out as the country’s largest bank by assets and its most profitable, while NMB continues to distinguish itself through operational efficiency.
The performance of these institutions reflects the growing depth of Tanzania’s banking sector and the importance of scale, profitability and efficient operations in a competitive market.
Coming Up in November: Safaricom Half-Year Results and Q3 Banking Updates
November opens with a results announcement from Safaricom PLC, which is scheduled to release its FY2027 half-year results on 5 November 2026. Investors will be assessing the company’s performance against its FY2026 results, when Safaricom reported Group net income of KSh 100 billion and revenue of KSh 414 billion.
The month will also bring third-quarter results from several listed banking groups. Co-operative Bank, Absa, Equity Group, KCB Group, Stanbic, I&M Group and NCBA Group are scheduled to announce their Q3 2026 results between 12 and 25 November.
The 6th Abojani Economic Empowerment Conference
Under the theme “Invest Intelligently”, this year’s goal is to bring investors, professionals, entrepreneurs and other participants together to discuss how to build resilient, future-ready portfolios and make informed decisions in a changing investment environment.
The conference will explore opportunities for wealth creation, investing across asset classes and building long-term financial security. It is also an opportunity to engage with industry practitioners and learn about investment options beyond the local market.
Abojani is pleased to have Ricardo Da Silva, CEO of Webull Securities South Africa onboard!
For Kenyan investors, offshore investing can offer exposure to companies, industries and markets that may not be available through the domestic market alone. However, international investing also requires an understanding of currency movements, market risks, fees, regulations and the investment products being used.
Ricardo’s session will add an international markets perspective to the conference’s wider focus on investing intelligently and building resilient portfolios.
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CEO & Co-Founder, Abojani Investment
Robert Ochieng is a visionary entrepreneur and the co-founder of Abojani Investment, a leading financial education platform in Kenya that has empowered over 20,000 Africans to embark on their investment journeys. As CEO, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to financial literacy, successfully demystifying money and investments and making them accessible and relevant to individuals from all walks of life.
Running Thriving Investment Communities
Robert’s influence extends well beyond Abojani Investment’s core offerings. He has actively fostered a sense of community by running investment forums and groups with a vast following of over 300,000 Africans. These communities provide a safe space for individuals to exchange ideas, share experiences, and support each other on their investment journeys.
Vision for the Future
As co-founder of Abojani Investment, Robert envisions a financially empowered Africa. He strives to expand the reach of his financial education initiatives, enabling millions more to gain the knowledge and confidence needed to achieve their financial goals. His vision is to create a society where every individual has the tools and understanding to build lasting wealth and prosperity.
Professional Background
Robert Ochieng is a highly accomplished CEO at the helm of Abojani Investment, an investment and advisory firm in Kenya. He is a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience in IT, Finance, and leadership.
His career includes key roles at prominent institutions such as Equity Bank, Gulf African Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and Airtel.
Robert’s expertise has also been sought after by the National Treasury for consultancy on planning and budgeting systems, showcasing his exceptional knowledge and skills in the field. Passionate about driving meaningful conversations and collaborations between academia, industry, and the public sector, Robert actively engages in research projects focusing on digital transformation within the financial services sector. With his visionary leadership and strategic insights, Robert Ochieng continues to make a significant impact in the business world.
