World Bank Releases Ksh97 Billion to Kenya After Anti-Corruption Reforms, Ending Months of Delays
Kenya has secured a major financial boost after the World Bank approved a Ksh97 billion (approximately $750 million) financing package aimed at strengthening governance, fighting corruption, improving public financial management and expanding social protection.
The funding, announced on Tuesday, June 30, follows months of delays after Kenya was required to meet a series of governance and anti-corruption conditions before the money could be released.
The financing, provided under the Kenya Fiscal Sustainability and Resilient Growth Development Policy Operation (DPO), is expected to support sweeping reforms designed to improve transparency across government institutions while creating a more stable environment for private investment and job creation.
According to the World Bank, the package consists of Ksh44 billion through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and Ksh53 billion in concessional financing from the International Development Association (IDA).
In addition to governance reforms, part of the funding will support programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of refugees and the communities hosting them, while expanding social protection for vulnerable Kenyans.
Announcing the approval, the World Bank said the financing would strengthen Kenya’s institutions and help ensure public resources are managed more efficiently.
“Kenya’s reform to strengthen governance, improve public financial management, and expand social protection for its most vulnerable citizens received World Bank Group support today through a Ksh97 billion Development Policy Operation,” the institution said.
The lender added that the reforms are expected to create the regulatory certainty needed to stimulate economic growth.
“This will contribute to the country’s efforts to establish the regulatory certainty required to create jobs, attract private investment, and lift people out of poverty.”
Anti-corruption reforms unlock funding
A central requirement for the loan was Kenya’s commitment to tackling corruption and conflicts of interest within public service.
The World Bank cited the implementation of the Conflict of Interest Act together with the gazettement of the Conflict of Interest Regulations, 2026, as key milestones that paved the way for approval.
The institution said the reforms are expected to reduce opportunities for corruption, improve accountability and ensure taxpayers receive better value from government spending.
World Bank Division Director for Kenya Qimiao Fan said the programme would strengthen financial discipline while promoting inclusive economic growth.
“By supporting reforms to address conflicts of interest, improve financial management, and expand social protection, this operation will help Kenya reduce leakage and ensure that public resources deliver better results.”
He added:
“It is also helping establish the foundational, business-enabling environment that is necessary to support higher and more inclusive growth and for the private sector to create jobs.”
Treasury reforms and digital procurement
The World Bank also highlighted new measures requiring all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to operate through the Treasury Single Account, a move intended to reduce idle government cash held across multiple accounts and improve oversight of public finances.
The programme will also accelerate Kenya’s transition to fully electronic government procurement, allowing public tenders to be processed digitally in a bid to reduce human interference, minimise collusion and improve transparency through easier auditing.
Loan delayed for months
The approval ends a lengthy wait for Kenya after the funding was first sought in November 2024.
The loan had originally been expected by mid-2025 but remained on hold after Parliament delayed passing key anti-corruption legislation required by the World Bank.
Among the outstanding conditions were the enactment of the Conflict of Interest law and the government’s commitment to fully automate public procurement systems to strengthen accountability and reduce corruption risks.
With those reforms now in place, the World Bank has cleared the financing, providing Kenya with a significant boost as it seeks to improve governance, restore investor confidence and strengthen economic resilience.
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