Thursday, September 24, 2026English edition
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Country risk, from the local press

Kenya · Country watch

CBK Fines Banks, New VAT Rules, Coast Weather Alert

Kenya's CBK fines banks for rate breaches, new VAT rules announced, and coastal weather warnings issued.

The picture Deteriorating

Business conditions in Kenya are deteriorating as CBK fines banks for rate breaches, new VAT rules require compliance changes, and coastal weather warnings pose risks to tourism and logistics.

In this briefing Central Bank of Kenya · Kenya Revenue Authority · Kenya Maritime Authority

Regulation

  • finance

CBK fines 33 banks for breaching loan rate rules

white and black concrete building under blue sky during daytime
Joecalih / Unsplash

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has fined 33 banks for failing to adjust their lending rates in accordance with the benchmark rate, Business Daily reports. Only six lenders complied with the regulation to align their rates with the central bank's directives. The fines are part of CBK's efforts to enforce compliance and ensure fair lending practices in the banking sector.

Impact Lenders must adjust rates to avoid penalties, affecting loan pricing and compliance costs.

Sources: Business Daily ↗

  • retail
  • technology

KRA announces new VAT rules under Finance Act 2026

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has released updates to the Value Added Tax (VAT) regulations as per the Finance Act 2026, Nairobi Wire reports. The changes include revised rules for tax refunds, digital services, passenger allowances, and business classifications. Businesses are urged to update their invoicing and accounting systems to comply with the new guidelines.

Impact Retailers and digital service providers must update systems to comply with new VAT rules.

Sources: Nairobi Wire ↗

Disruption

Nothing significant reported today.

Internal tension

Nothing significant reported today.

Safety & health

  • tourism
  • logistics

Coastal residents warned of dangerous weather until December

The Kenya Maritime Authority has issued a warning for dangerous weather conditions along the coast, expected to last until December, according to Kenyans. The authority has outlined safety measures and urged communities to remain vigilant. The warning may affect tourism and logistics operations in coastal areas.

Impact Tourism operators and logistics firms in coastal areas face potential disruptions due to weather warnings.

Sources: Kenyans ↗

Companies

Nothing significant reported today.

Markets

Nothing significant reported today.

Trade

Nothing significant reported today.

Politics

Nothing significant reported today.

Also today in Kenya

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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