The government, through the National Treasury, is set to replace the rustle of paper with the secure hum of digital processes. On 2 February 2026, a fully automated platform for external debt payments is scheduled to go live, marking the culmination of a significant reform aimed at overhauling the nation’s approach to managing its sovereign obligations.
This shift from manual, paper-based systems to integrated digital workflows promises to redefine transparency and efficiency in public financial management. The innovative system, developed within the Treasury Single Account (TSA) framework, represents a sophisticated digital nexus, seamlessly integrating several critical national systems.
It brings together the Meridian Debt Management System, the Central Bank of Kenya’s exchange rate mechanisms, the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), the Exchequer requisition process, and the approval workflow of the Office of the Controller of Budget.
This interconnected architecture enables the entire debt payment process, from the generation of instructions through to approval and final execution, to flow through secure, end-to-end digital workflows. By eliminating manual interventions, the system significantly reduces processing delays and the potential for human error.
To ensure robustness and build confidence in the new system, a one-month parallel run will be conducted. This period of operating both the old and new systems side by side is designed as a vital safety check, allowing for real-world testing, data validation, and user familiarization in a controlled setting.
It ensures that any unforeseen challenges can be resolved without disrupting the critical flow of debt service payments, thereby mitigating financial and reputational risk.
Kenya is strengthening the integrity of its public financial management. The reform is expected to enhance oversight, provide real-time tracking of debt transactions, and foster greater public trust in how national resources are managed to meet international obligations.
This is a definitive step from legacy processes towards a future where technology underpins prudent and accountable economic stewardship.
