KCB Approves Record Ksh 22.5 Billion Shareholder Payout

KCB Bank, Kenya’s leading banking institution, has received the nod from its shareholders for a dividend payout totaling Ksh 22.5 billion on the back of impressive performance in the fiscal year ending December 2025.

The shareholder vote was obtained on Thursday, May 21, at the Annual General Meeting.

The dividends include a combination of interim and final dividends that have been approved by investors.

They show a significant improvement from last year’s payout and demonstrate the bank’s efforts to ensure that its profitability reaches its shareholders.

A dividend payout of Ksh 7.00 per share has been approved.

It includes a prior interim payout plus a further final dividend.

These dividends will be paid after the deduction of withholding tax within the next few days following closure of the register of members in April 2026.

Strong Financial Performance Drives Shareholder Returns

Speaking at the AGM, Group Chairman Joseph Kinyua said the payout reflected the lender’s financial stability and long-term strategy.

“The payout reaffirms the Group’s strong financial performance, resilient balance sheet, and commitment to delivering sustainable shareholder value. As we look ahead to 2026, we remain cautiously optimistic about the outlook,” he stated.

“Despite prevailing economic pressures across markets, growth opportunities continued to emerge through regional economic cooperation, intra-African commerce, infrastructure investments, technological innovation, and private sector expansion,” Kinyua added.

The lender posted a record net profit of Ksh 68.4 billion during the review period, representing an 11 per cent rise compared to the previous financial year.

Total assets also climbed to Ksh 2.1 trillion.

The group’s regional subsidiaries continued playing a central role in earnings growth, contributing nearly a third of the overall profit and total asset base.

Also Read: How KCB Pulled Off a Ksh24.4B Profit in Q1 2026

Digital Expansion and Regional Strategy

Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Russo attributed the growth to diversification, customer confidence, and continued investment in technology-driven banking solutions.

“We are running a well-diversified business which is sustaining our resilience, leveraging our regional footprint and scale, customer confidence, and continued investment in digital transformation,” Russo said.

“The business continues to benefit from strong momentum across key business segments, improved operational efficiency, and our deliberate focus on supporting businesses, SMEs, and households across the markets we operate in,” he added.

The lender also announced strong first-quarter results for 2026, reporting pre-tax earnings of Ksh 24.4 billion, marking a 15.3 per cent increase compared to a similar period last year.

According to the bank, growth in operating income helped cushion pressure arising from reduced lending margins following interest rate cuts by regulators across several regional markets.

Total operating income rose by 8.5 per cent to Ksh 53.6 billion during the quarter under review.

Also Read: KCB Investment Bank Scores Another Major Deal as Cable Experts Moves to Acquire East African Cables Stake

Sustainability and Green Financing Push

In addition to profit-making, another key aspect was an increase in commitment towards sustainability and green financing, as part of the Environmental, Social, and Governance program.

Under the Environmental and Social Diligence program, the bank reviewed loans amounting to Ksh 587.8 billion in the year 2025.

The green financing during the period amounted to Ksh 48.8 billion.

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Photo of the KCB Bank branch in KENCOM, Nairobi. PHOTO/KCB