Kenyan money IQ
Ten questions on how money actually works in Kenya — the CBR, M-Pesa, the NSE, what gets taxed. Every answer carries the source that settles it.
Ten questions about how money actually works in Kenya. Every answer carries the source that settles it — check us. Most people get about half.
1 of 10
What is the Central Bank Rate right now?
The MPC held it at 8.75% at its meeting on 11 August 2026. It is the anchor everything else in the economy is priced off.
Source: CBK, MPC press releases
2 of 10
CBK targets inflation at 5%, plus or minus 2.5. So what is the ceiling?
5% plus 2.5 is 7.5%. Inflation was 6.59% in August 2026 — inside the band, but not by much. A central bank that breaches its own target has a credibility problem, and credibility is most of what a central bank has.
3 of 10
How much is monthly personal relief on PAYE?
KSh 2,400 a month, or KSh 28,800 a year. It comes off your tax, not your income — which is why it is worth the same to everyone.
Source: KRA, Individual Income Tax
4 of 10
Since December 2024, when are SHIF and the housing levy taken off?
The Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 made them allowable deductions taken off gross before PAYE is worked out. A lot of online calculators still apply them the old way and overstate your tax.
5 of 10
When did M-Pesa launch?
6 March 2007. It signed up 19,671 users in its first month and passed a million by November that year.
Source: Safaricom Newsroom
6 of 10
In what year was the Nairobi Securities Exchange formally registered?
1954, under the Societies Act, as a voluntary association of stockbrokers. Before that, shares were traded on a gentleman's agreement with no trading floor at all.
Source: NSE, Our Story
7 of 10
The NSE did something unusual in September 2014. What?
It self-listed on 9 September 2014, becoming the second African exchange after Johannesburg to list on itself.
Source: NSE, Our Story
8 of 10
A 364-day Treasury bill is quoted at 12%. What do you actually pay for a KSh 100,000 bill?
T-bills pay no coupon. You buy at a discount — here KSh 88,000 — and receive the full KSh 100,000 at maturity. The KSh 12,000 gap is your interest, and withholding tax comes off it.
Source: CBK, Treasury bills
9 of 10
Inflation is 6.6%. Your savings account pays 4%. What is happening?
Your balance rises by 4% while prices rise by 6.6%, so what your money buys falls by roughly 2.5% over the year. This is the quietest loss in personal finance because the number on the statement goes up the whole time.
Source: CBK inflation rates
10 of 10
What does the NSSF employee contribution top out at each month?
6% across both tiers up to an upper limit of KSh 108,000 — so KSh 540 on Tier I plus KSh 5,940 on Tier II, capping the employee side at KSh 6,480 a month under the limits that took effect in February 2026.
Source: NSSF Act 2013 Year 4 limits, as reported in 2026 payroll guidance
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Every answer and its source — opens the spoilers
- 8.75% — The MPC held it at 8.75% at its meeting on 11 August 2026. It is the anchor everything else in the economy is priced off. CBK, MPC press releases.
- 7.5% — 5% plus 2.5 is 7.5%. Inflation was 6.59% in August 2026 — inside the band, but not by much. A central bank that breaches its own target has a credibility problem, and credibility is most of what a central bank has. CBK, MPC press release, 8 April 2026.
- KSh 2,400 — KSh 2,400 a month, or KSh 28,800 a year. It comes off your tax, not your income — which is why it is worth the same to everyone. KRA, Individual Income Tax.
- Before PAYE is calculated — The Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 made them allowable deductions taken off gross before PAYE is worked out. A lot of online calculators still apply them the old way and overstate your tax. KRA public notice on PAYE computation.
- 2007 — 6 March 2007. It signed up 19,671 users in its first month and passed a million by November that year. Safaricom Newsroom.
- 1954 — 1954, under the Societies Act, as a voluntary association of stockbrokers. Before that, shares were traded on a gentleman's agreement with no trading floor at all. NSE, Our Story.
- Listed itself on its own exchange — It self-listed on 9 September 2014, becoming the second African exchange after Johannesburg to list on itself. NSE, Our Story.
- KSh 88,000 — T-bills pay no coupon. You buy at a discount — here KSh 88,000 — and receive the full KSh 100,000 at maturity. The KSh 12,000 gap is your interest, and withholding tax comes off it. CBK, Treasury bills.
- You're losing purchasing power — Your balance rises by 4% while prices rise by 6.6%, so what your money buys falls by roughly 2.5% over the year. This is the quietest loss in personal finance because the number on the statement goes up the whole time. CBK inflation rates.
- KSh 6,480 — 6% across both tiers up to an upper limit of KSh 108,000 — so KSh 540 on Tier I plus KSh 5,940 on Tier II, capping the employee side at KSh 6,480 a month under the limits that took effect in February 2026. NSSF Act 2013 Year 4 limits, as reported in 2026 payroll guidance.
Every one of those answers came from somewhere free.
CBK, KNBS, the NSE, the Treasury. The Brief reads them every week so you do not have to, and shows its working every time.
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