Updated 26 October 2026
Quick answer: the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has its head office on Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi (main line +254 20 286 0000, email comms@centralbank.go.ke) and branches or centres in Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri, Nakuru and Meru. You do not need to visit a branch to buy Treasury bills or bonds: you open a free DhowCSD account on dhowcsd.centralbank.go.ke or the DhowCSD app, then bid online. The minimum is KSh 50,000 face value, in multiples of KSh 50,000, for non-competitive bids.
This page lists every CBK branch and centre with its official contacts, then walks through opening a DhowCSD account, placing a bid, paying and checking your results. All details come from CBK’s own website, read on 25 October 2026.
CBK Head Office Contacts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Physical address | Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi |
| Postal address | P.O. Box 60000-00200, Nairobi |
| Main telephone | +254 20 286 0000 |
| Other lines | +254 20 286 1000, +254 20 286 3000, +254 709 081 000, +254 709 083 000 |
| comms@centralbank.go.ke | |
| Social media | @CBKKenya on X, plus an official WhatsApp channel, Facebook and Instagram |
CBK Branches and Centres in Kenya
| Branch or centre | Address | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Head Office, Nairobi | Haile Selassie Avenue, P.O. Box 60000-00200 | +254 20 2861000, +254 20 2860000, +254 20 2863000 |
| Mombasa | Nkrumah Road, P.O. Box 86372 | +254 41 2121000 |
| Kisumu | Jomo Kenyatta Highway, P.O. Box 4 | +254 57 2050000 |
| Eldoret | Uganda Road, P.O. Box 2710 | +254 53 2033325 (lines 6 to 9) |
| Nyeri | Kenya Commercial Bank Building, Kenyatta Street, P.O. Box 840-10100 | +254 61 2030779 |
| Nakuru | George Morara Street, P.O. Box 14094-20100 | +254 51 2210711 |
| Meru | Co-operative Bank Building, Njuri Ncheke Street, P.O. Box 2171-60200 | +254 64 3132200 |
Source line: CBK Contact Us page, Branch and Centre Contact Information table, read 25 October 2026. CBK notes that customers may be served by staff in any of its service units.
What You Can and Cannot Do at a CBK Branch
CBK is the banker to the government and to commercial banks. It does not open personal savings or current accounts for the public. Members of the public mostly deal with CBK to buy government securities, for queries on Treasury bills and bonds, and to report concerns about banks and licensed lenders. For complaints against your own bank, start with the bank and keep your reference number.
How to Buy Treasury Bills and Bonds Through DhowCSD
Step 1: Open a DhowCSD Account
Go to dhowcsd.centralbank.go.ke or download the DhowCSD app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, then create an account. Individuals choose the physical person option and enter personal details, KRA PIN, contacts and the commercial bank account where payments and refunds should go. You upload a photo, your ID or passport and KRA PIN certificate, then confirm the token sent to your email. CBK’s guidance says your settlement bank reviews and approves the account, which it puts at about 48 working hours. Companies and joint accounts can also open accounts, with approval rules for who signs off bids.
Step 2: Pick a Security
- Treasury bills mature in 91, 182 or 364 days and are auctioned every week. They are sold at a discount: you pay less than the face value and receive the full face value at maturity.
- Treasury bonds run for longer and pay interest (coupons). CBK publishes a prospectus for each bond issue with the dates and terms.
Step 3: Place Your Bid
Log in, open Auctions, choose the security and click create bid. Choose non-competitive (you accept the average rate) or competitive (you state the yield you want). Enter the face value, the source of funds and accept the terms. You get an on-screen confirmation and an email.
| Rule | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum face value, non-competitive bid | KSh 50,000 |
| Minimum face value, competitive bid | KSh 2,000,000 |
| Denominations | Multiples of KSh 50,000 |
You can cancel a bid from the Bids menu before the auction cut-off time. There is also a USSD route, Treasury Mobile Direct, with its own user guide on the CBK site.
Step 4: Check Results and Pay
Treasury bill auctions are held every Thursday, or the business day before if Thursday is a public holiday. CBK publishes the results on its website and social media, and your own result shows in DhowCSD under Transactions. Pay for a successful bill by 2pm on the settlement date, which is the Monday after the auction (or the next business day if that is a holiday), quoting your CSD account number, the amount payable and the payment key. CBK can accept or reject bids in full or in part.
Step 5: Roll Over With Netting
If you already hold a security that matures on a settlement date, you can switch on the netting flag in DhowCSD so the maturing amount pays for the new bid, with any balance refunded or topped up.
Useful Related Guides
- Treasury bills vs Treasury bonds vs infrastructure bonds
- Money market funds vs Treasury bills
- This week’s T-bill, MMF and bond rates
- Investment options in Kenya from low to high risk
This page is information, not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CBK branches are there in Kenya?
CBK lists its Nairobi head office plus six branches and centres: Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nyeri, Nakuru and Meru.
What is the CBK customer care number?
The main line is +254 20 286 0000. Other published lines are +254 20 286 1000, +254 20 286 3000, +254 709 081 000 and +254 709 083 000, and the email is comms@centralbank.go.ke.
What is the minimum amount for a Treasury bill in Kenya?
KSh 50,000 face value for a non-competitive bid, in multiples of KSh 50,000. Because bills are sold at a discount, you pay a little less than that upfront.
Can I open a DhowCSD account on my phone?
Yes, through the DhowCSD app on Android or iPhone, or the web portal on a phone browser.
When are T-bill results released?
Auctions run every Thursday and CBK publishes results on its website and social channels; you can also see your own result in DhowCSD.
Last verified 25 October 2026 on centralbank.go.ke (Contact Us, Treasury Bills and DhowCSD pages).
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