This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
On September 16, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) paid a Sh4 billion dividend to the National Treasury, a share of its net profit for the financial year to June 2019.
The payment is expected to boost revenues for the cash-strapped Exchequer. CBK said it retained some of the net earnings that will be used in the production of the new currency.
‘The transfer (loosely known as ‘remitting of dividends’) was executed by crediting the Ministry of Finance’s Deposit Account at CBK,’ said CBK in a statement yesterday.
CBK will need the resources to continue the roll-out of the new generation currency, a provision of the 2010 Constitution. The regulator noted that the issuance of the new currency would cost Sh15 billion.
CBK also said it would use the money to strengthen its financial position, including increasing paid-up capital to Sh50 billion. The lender of last resort noted that despite the robust growth in the banking sector over the past decade, its paid-up capital has remained at the 2009 levels.
‘CBK’s paid-up capital had remained at Sh5 billion from 2009 to June 2019, when a previously approved increase to Sh20 billion was implemented. To accommodate increases in paid-up capital, CBK’s authorised capital was increased from Sh5 billion to Sh50 billion with effect from June 26, 2019,’ said CBK.
