Banks reopen credit taps to households after rare plummet

CBK data showing banks created a net Sh12.5 billion in new household loans during the first four months of this year.

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Banks resumed bigger credit disbursements to households in the opening months of 2026, after last year's rare retreat from consumer lending, spurred by falling borrowing costs and a renewed appetite to grow their retail loan books.

Data by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) shows that outstanding loans to households by commercial banks rose to a record Sh596.6 billion in April from Sh558.3 billion a year earlier.

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