Updated September 28, 2026
What is Central Bank of Kenya?
In short
The Central Bank of Kenya is the national authority that licenses and supervises banks and payment service providers in Kenya.
The Central Bank of Kenya licenses and supervises the institutions that issue payment and banking services in Kenya, including banks behind prepaid and debit cards. Cards such as the Absa Kenya Multi-Currency Prepaid Card, M-PESA GlobalPay, Equity Bank Cards, Credit Bank Konnect and the Prime Bank Multicurrency Prepaid Card sit with providers that answer to this authority. Supervision means there is a rulebook and a place to raise a complaint. It does not mean every provider holds the same licence, so check the licence attached to the account you are opening and what it covers for your money.