Ruto signs CBK amendment law to strengthen banking oversight

President William Ruto has signed into law the Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing reforms aimed at strengthening the Central Bank's oversight of the banking sector and improving Kenya's response to financial crises. Under the new law, emergency liquidity assistance will only be available to banks that meet strict conditions on solvency, viability and systemic risk, clearly separating such support from the Central Bank's routine monetary policy operations. The amendment also formally recognises the Central Bank's role in promoting the integrity, resilience and proper functioning of Kenya's financial system, while providing legal clarity for intergovernmental and cross-border cooperation. In addition, the law updates various provisions by replacing references to the defunct Deposit Protection Fund Board with the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation.