Kenya introduces tech-driven solution for debt payments

By Maria Macharia, Kenya Correspondent
Johannesburg, 28 Jan 2026
Dr Chris Kiptoo, principal secretary of the National Treasury.
Dr Chris Kiptoo, principal secretary of the National Treasury.

Kenya has reached a milestone in the modernisation of its public financial management systems, with the automation of external debt payments system.

Yesterday, Dr Chris Kiptoo, principal secretary of the National Treasury, was briefed on the automation of external debt payments, a major reform that marks a significant step in the modernisation of Kenya’s public financial management systems.

The National Treasury has completed the development of a fully automated external debt payment platform, now ready for deployment under the Treasury Single Account framework.

“The reform is expected to enhance efficiency, transparency, accountability, and governance in the management of Kenya’s external debt obligations,” said the Treasury.

It added: “The system integrates the Meridian Debt Management System with the Central Bank of Kenya exchange rates system, IFMIS, the Exchequer requisition process, and the Office of the Controller of Budget approval workflow.

“This integration enables seamless generation, approval, and execution of debt payment instructions, replacing manual, paper based processes with secure end to end digital workflows.”

The project team also briefed Kiptoo on the status of the implementation, which is slated to go live on February 2, 2026. 

The Treasury Department said: "A one-month parallel run will be undertaken to ensure a smooth, controlled, and risk mitigated transition." 

The briefing was attended by representatives from the Controller of Budget Kenya, Kenya's Auditor General, and the World Bank.

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