Afternoon: Kenya holds rates, IMF talks and Pixel 11 arrives

Kenya’s Monetary Policy Committee retained the Central Bank Rate at 8.75 per cent after its 11 August meeting. The decision keeps borrowing conditions unchanged while the CBK monitors inflation, credit demand and economic activity. Separately, Kenya expects an IMF visit soon to discuss a possible new programme, according to Reuters. For businesses and households, the immediate message is stability rather than cheaper credit. Existing loan pricing may not move quickly, but lenders will continue assessing whether lower market rates can pass through to customers.

The Central Bank of Kenya scheduled a Treasury bill auction for 13 August, with value dating on 17 August. The offer includes 91 day, 182 day and 364 day bills, giving investors short and medium term options for parking cash with the government. The previous average rate for the 91 day bill was 8.7820 per cent. Investors should check the final auction results before comparing returns, because accepted yields and allocations can differ from the previous sale.

A proposed Kenyan law would give the Education Cabinet Secretary power to approve, license and accredit foreign education systems used by schools. The change would tighten oversight of institutions offering international curricula and could affect registration, compliance and operating approvals. Schools, parents and education providers should treat this as a proposal rather than an immediate new rule. The practical question is how accreditation requirements, transition periods and enforcement would be defined if Parliament passes the measure.

The World Meteorological Organization says there is an 80 per cent likelihood of El Niño conditions during June to August 2026, with the chance of continuation until at least November near or above 90 per cent. For Kenya, that raises practical planning concerns around heavy rain, flooding, drainage, agriculture and transport disruption. Nairobi operators should review flood routes, protect stock and equipment, and keep contingency plans current. The forecast is a risk signal, not a guarantee that every location will experience severe impacts.

The World Bank’s Kenya overview estimates 2026 growth at 4.7 per cent despite global uncertainty, but says labour market outcomes remain weak. Employment growth declined from 4.4 per cent in 2023 to 3.9 per cent in 2024. KBC reports that a new guide urges Kenya to accelerate growth, tighten fiscal policy and increase investment in infrastructure and essential services. The useful takeaway for operators is that headline growth alone will not solve pressure on household incomes or business demand.

Google announced its Pixel 11 series on 12 August, alongside the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The company says customers can pre order the foldable before retail availability on 20 August, while the wider Pixel 11 range also begins reaching shops from that date. Availability, pricing and warranty support will vary by market, so Kenyan buyers should verify local distribution before importing. Imported devices may also bring differences in network bands, software features, repairs and after sales support.

Security researcher Nightmare Eclipse has published a new Windows zero day after Microsoft threatened legal action, according to TechCrunch. The disclosure gives defenders another issue to track even though the available reporting does not establish that the flaw is being exploited in attacks. Organisations should prioritise tested Windows updates, reduce unnecessary administrator access and review endpoint detections. Users should be cautious with untrusted files and links while waiting for confirmed technical guidance and any Microsoft remediation.