Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Patrick Njoroge announced that Kenyans will access Treasury bond and bill services online from March.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, February 22, the governor explained that they were targeting to make the process of investing in the bonds and T- bills easier for Kenyans.
Dr Njoroge added that more Kenyans across various age groups would also be enticed to invest in the lucrative venture given that the process was being simplified.
Normally, Kenyans intending to invest were forced to visit CBK offices to create a Central Security Depository (CSD) account - which is allocated to customers investing in government securities.
"From next month once we launch the new CSD, you will be able to do all that on your phone. That is a huge improvement in terms of the number of people who can invest.
"It will be anybody including grandmothers at home who will be able to invest in T-Bills," he explained.
However, he did not state the exact date the changes would be effected.
Following the revelation, Kenyans congratulated CBK for the move noting the opportunities it would offer to more Kenyans.
"This is a great development. Curious to know how some processes will be handled though," Okulo Junior stated.
Explained: Treasury Bonds and Bills
In simple terms, investing in two government securities (T- bills and bonds) is like loaning the government money and getting a higher return over a specified period of time.
Treasury Bills
They are short-term and offered at a discount in that; if you are to invest Ksh100,000 for one year bill - you will get a discount of around Ksh10,000. That means you will only part way with Ksh90,000.
After one year, you will get Ksh100,000.
Treasury Bonds
They are long-term investments and are offered at a fixed interest rate. Payments are made once the bond matures every six months.
For instance, if you invest a Ksh100,000 10-year bond at an annual interest rate is 5 per cent every six months. One will get Ksh2,250 after which in turn gives you Ksh45,000 in the 10 years.
The Ksh100,000 investment is then returned after the10 years.
