KCB Group Plc shareholders have approved a total dividend payout of Sh22.5 billion for the 2025 financial year, rewarding investors with a 133 per cent jump in per-share returns. The decision was made during the company's annual general meeting held on May 21, 2026.
The dividend, which translates to Sh7.00 per share, up from Sh3.00 per share in the previous year, reflects the bank's strong financial performance in 2025. KCB Group reported a net profit of Sh48.6 billion for the year ended December 2025, driven by increased interest income and a reduction in loan loss provisions.
CEO Paul Russo attributed the performance to the bank's strategic focus on digital transformation and cost efficiency. 'Our investment in technology has enabled us to serve more customers while managing costs effectively,' he said during the AGM.
The payout comes amid concerns from businesses about the rising cost of operations in Kenya, partly due to proposed tax measures in the Finance Bill 2026. The bill, currently under parliamentary debate, seeks to grant the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) expanded powers to collect taxes, including the ability to access bank accounts and mobile money records without a court order.
KCB's dividend announcement was welcomed by investors, with the bank's share price rising 2.5% on the Nairobi Securities Exchange on May 22, 2026. The bank remains one of the largest dividend payers on the exchange.
