The Kenyan shilling was quoted at KSh129.89 against the US dollar on Monday, October 26, 2026, according to the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) daily exchange rates, as businesses and consumers monitor currency movements affecting imports, exports and international payments.
The CBK’s published rates also placed the British pound at KSh173.73 and the euro at KSh145.53. The Japanese yen was quoted at KSh82.86 for 100 yen, reflecting the exchange rate used for transactions involving the Japanese currency.
Other regional and international currencies listed by the regulator included the Ugandan shilling at KSh34.14, the Tanzanian shilling at KSh20.36, the Rwandan franc at KSh11.36 and the South African rand at KSh7.82.
The daily exchange rates provide a reference for businesses, financial institutions and individuals conducting transactions involving foreign currencies. Importers use exchange rates to estimate the local-currency cost of goods purchased abroad, while exporters consider them when calculating the value of overseas earnings.
Currency movements also influence the cost of servicing foreign-currency loans, making international transfers and paying for services priced in dollars, pounds or euros. For Kenyan businesses that rely on imported fuel, machinery, electronics and industrial inputs, changes in the shilling’s value can affect operating expenses and pricing decisions.
A weaker shilling generally increases the amount of local currency required to purchase foreign currency, potentially raising import costs. Conversely, a stronger shilling can reduce the local-currency cost of imports, although the final effect depends on international prices, contract terms and other business expenses.
The CBK publishes daily exchange-rate information as part of its role in monitoring the financial system and providing currency-market reference data. However, the published figures should not be interpreted as guaranteed rates available to every customer. Commercial banks, forex bureaus and other providers may apply different buying and selling rates, fees and transaction conditions.
The US dollar remains an important reference currency for Kenya because international trade, fuel purchases, external debt payments and many cross-border commercial transactions are denominated in dollars. Movements in the dollar-shilling exchange rate therefore remain relevant to government finances, private-sector costs and household spending.
The October 26 figures provide a snapshot of the CBK’s published rates for the start of the trading week. Assessing whether the shilling has strengthened or weakened requires comparing the figures with previous rates over the same period.
