The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has raised KSh63.3 billion through its latest Treasury bond auction after attracting bids worth more than double the government’s target, underscoring strong investor appetite for long-term government debt.
The auction, held on July 22, sought to raise KSh40 billion to support the government’s 2026/27 budget, but received bids worth KSh85.9 billion, translating to an oversubscription rate of 214.82 per cent.
Long-Term Bonds Attract Strong Demand
The strongest demand was recorded for the reopened 25-year Treasury bond, which carried a 14.49 per cent coupon rate.
CBK received bids worth KSh61.9 billion for the security and accepted KSh51 billion, rejecting the remaining bids.
The reopened 20-year Treasury bond, first issued in 2019 with a 12.87 per cent coupon rate, attracted bids worth KSh23.9 billion. The central bank accepted KSh12.2 billion, turning away higher-priced bids.
The 20-year bond will mature on March 21, 2039, while the 25-year bond has 21.4 years remaining before its maturity on September 23, 2047.
Analysts Expect Investor Appetite to Continue
According to analysts at Standard Investment Bank (SIB), strong investor demand in the Treasury bond market is likely to persist amid inflationary pressures and increased government borrowing needs.
They noted that headline inflation remains at 6.7 per cent, while geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to pose risks to global energy prices, potentially sustaining domestic inflation.
The analysts also observed that government interventions such as fuel tax reliefs and subsidies could put additional pressure on public finances, increasing reliance on domestic borrowing and supporting higher bond yields in the coming months.
Bond Switch Auction Records Moderate Uptake
CBK also conducted a bond switch auction, which attracted KSh8.16 billion in bids against a target of KSh10 billion.
The central bank accepted KSh7.95 billion, with KSh7.91 billion successfully switched from a five-year Treasury bond first issued in 2021 into a 20-year Treasury bond maturing on November 1, 2032.
The switched bond recorded a weighted average yield of 12.8076 per cent, helping the government extend its debt maturity profile and reduce refinancing risks.
Government Pursues Debt Management Strategy
Domestic debt maturities for July 2026 stand at KSh152 billion, down from KSh189 billion recorded in June.
The government is also pursuing an external financing strategy aimed at easing debt repayment pressures by extending debt maturities and diversifying funding sources.
As part of that strategy, the National Treasury is considering issuing a new US dollar-denominated bond to finance the buyback of up to US$500 million worth of outstanding Eurobonds during the 2026/27 financial year.
If completed, the transaction would mark Kenya’s fourth external debt buyback in two years, further supporting efforts to smooth future debt repayments and reduce large maturity obligations.
