Inflation covering goods and services outside of food and fuel has climbed to a four-year high of 4.3 percent in January, reflecting the pass-through effect of the high global commodity, logistics and input prices in the local economy.

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) said on Monday that it retained its benchmark lending rate at 8.75 percent amid declining inflation.

Banks will soon be able to borrow from each other using government debt securities as collateral in reforms aimed at boosting liquidity in the industry while freeing the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) from frequent bailing out of cash-starved institutions.

Kenya’s Central Bank has started negotiations with telecommunication firms with a view to separating mobile money activities from other businesses to enhance governance and minimise shocks on bank-related transactions.