Kenya Shilling Rate: Sh129.81 as Forex Reserves Slip

By the 254.ke Newsroom.

The Kenyan shilling is trading at about Sh129.81 to the US dollar, according to the latest Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) data for October 15, 2026, and has barely moved in three weeks. Forex reserves, however, have eased for a third straight reading to $14.69 billion, which still covers 5.9 months of imports against a statutory floor of four months.

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What is the Kenya shilling rate today?

The CBK’s daily indicative rates for the week of October 9 to 15 show a currency moving within a few cents.

Date (2026)	Sh per US dollar
October 9	129.91
October 12	129.75
October 13	129.71
October 14	129.79
October 15	129.81

Earlier in the month the rate was Sh129.71 on October 1 and Sh129.94 on October 8, The Kenya Times reported. Put plainly, the shilling has stayed inside a band of about 25 cents for the whole month.

How much has Kenya’s forex reserve fallen?

CBK figures put reserves at $14.689 billion on October 15, down from $14.736 billion on October 8. A week earlier, on October 1, they stood at $14.93 billion. That is a slide of roughly $240 million in two weeks.

October 1: $14.93 billion
October 8: $14.736 billion (5.9 months of import cover, down from 6.1)
October 15: $14.689 billion (5.9 months of import cover)

The CBK describes the position as adequate and above the four-month legal minimum.

Why is the shilling holding steady?

Interest rates are one anchor. The Monetary Policy Committee kept the Central Bank Rate at 8.75% on October 7, the fourth hold in a row, with September inflation at 6.8%, near the top of the 2.5% to 7.5% target band, according to the Rio Times. The overnight interbank rate (KESONIA) sat at 8.75% every day from October 9 to 15.

Diaspora money is another. Remittances reached $438.5 million in September, up 4.5% from a year earlier, though the 12-month total of $5.03 billion is 1% lower than a year ago, the CBK bulletin shows.

What are the risks to watch?

The CBK has flagged global oil prices as a risk to inflation and growth. Murban crude was quoted at $101.67 a barrel on October 8, up from $95.76 on October 1, per The Kenya Times. Higher crude feeds into pump prices and the dollar import bill; see the latest on Kenya fuel prices.

Treasury bill yields also edged up at the October 15 auction: 8.750% on the 91-day paper, 8.860% on the 182-day and 9.038% on the 364-day.

FAQ

What is the dollar rate in Kenya today?

The CBK’s latest published rate, for October 15, 2026, was Sh129.81 per US dollar. Bank and forex bureau rates differ slightly from the indicative rate.

How many months of import cover does Kenya have?

5.9 months as of October 15, 2026, above the statutory minimum of four months.

Why did forex reserves fall?

The CBK bulletin does not give a reason for the weekly movement. Reserves fluctuate with debt payments, import demand and central bank market operations.

What is the Central Bank Rate?

8.75%, unchanged since the MPC meeting on October 7, 2026.

Source data: Central Bank of Kenya weekly bulletin, October 16, 2026. Figures are the latest published as of October 20, 2026.

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