The agriculture sector is expected to receive a higher employment rate in the second quarter of this year, between April and June, according to the Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) survey.
The survey conducted between March 11 and March 21 targeted managers from over 1,000 private sector companies who received questionnaires, which were administered through a direct online survey by the central bank.
In the survey report released by CBK on Thursday, April 17, the company managers revealed that a higher intake of employees was expected in the agriculture sector because of an increase in the sector's activities.
According to the managers, the activities were expected to increase due to the ongoing rains experienced across various parts of the country.
However, while the agriculture sector was expected to experience growth, the number of employees was expected to remain largely unchanged in other sectors of the economy.
“The number of employees is expected to remain largely unchanged, except in the agriculture sector, where employee intake is expected to be higher,” read part of the survey report.
“This is in line with increased activity in the sector during the quarter, supported by favourable long rains. Nevertheless, overall activity is expected to be enhanced,” the report added.
Further, the report stated that most CEOs acquired more bank loans in March 2025 compared to November last year, as part of the strategies to sustain their businesses.
The increase in loan acquisition by most companies was attributed to several factors, including the existence of firms’ long-lasting relationships with the banks.
Other factors included adequate assets and working business models, which gave sufficient confidence to banks to extend credit to companies and firms’ good credit ratings by banks.
During the survey, the CEOs reported sustained optimism in growth prospects for the Kenyan economy over the next 12 months, supported by favourable weather conditions, stability of the shilling, continued decline in interest rates, and low inflation.
Nonetheless, the managers noted that the elevated cost of doing business and muted consumer demand remained key concerns for a majority of companies.
