Kenya's foreign exchange reserves increased to USD 14.169 billion (KSh 1.83 trillion) as of July 16, 2026, providing six months of import cover, according to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).This marks a week-on-week rise from USD 14.127 billion (KSh 1.82 trillion) recorded on July 9, 2026, with the country adding approximately USD 42 million (KSh 5.43 billion) to its reserves in seven days.

The CBK noted that these reserves comfortably exceed the statutory requirement of four months of import cover, indicating resilience in Kenya's external sector.However, remittance inflows dropped by 4.7% in June 2026 to USD 375.6 million (KSh 48.6 billion), down from May 2026 figures.The 12-month cumulative remittances also fell by 2.4% compared to the same period in 2025.Despite this, remittances remain a key source of foreign exchange earnings for Kenya, with major contributors including the US, UK, and Gulf states.Adequate forex reserves are critical for financing imports, servicing external debt, and stabilizing the shilling against currency shocks.