Absa Bank Kenya stock gets a permanent CEO
Published on 10/08/2026 at 05:10 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Absa Bank Kenya (ISIN KE0000000067) closed at KES 33.35 on the Nairobi Securities Exchange on October 7, 2026, up 0.76 percent from KES 33.10. The latest leadership move gives the lender a permanent chief executive as earnings remain under pressure but shareholder distributions increase.
As Business Daily reported on October 6, 2026, Absa ended former CEO Abdi Mohamed's gardening leave after Yusuf Omari was promoted from interim to substantive chief executive. Mohamed then started as I&M Bank Kenya CEO on October 5, 2026, following regulatory approval.
Profit falls as funding costs ease
Absa's H1 2026 profit after tax fell 10 percent to KES 10.5 billion from KES 11.7 billion in H1 2025. According to Fatumas Voice, group income declined 7 percent to KES 29.3 billion, while net interest income fell 5 percent to KES 21.1 billion in the six months ended June 2026.
The earnings pressure was partly offset by lower funding costs. Interest expense fell 18 percent to KES 6.2 billion, and the cost of funds declined to 2.8 percent from 3.8 percent in H1 2025. Customer deposits rose 5 percent to KES 380.7 billion, giving the bank a larger base of lower-cost funding.
Dividend rises despite weaker earnings
The board increased the interim dividend to KES 0.50 per share from KES 0.20 in H1 2025, a 150 percent increase despite the 10 percent profit decline. The payout is scheduled for October 15, 2026, for shareholders registered on September 18, 2026, according to KenyaStocks.
The balance sheet also expanded during H1 2026. Customer assets increased 8 percent to KES 329.9 billion, total assets rose 5 percent to KES 558.1 billion, and shareholders' funds climbed 18 percent to KES 98 billion. Loan impairment charges fell 4 percent to KES 3.1 billion.
Stock remains below yearly high
Absa shares traded within a 52-week range of KES 21.75 to KES 36.00 as of October 7, 2026. The KES 33.35 close stood KES 2.65 below the high, while daily volume reached 69,594 shares.
For investors, the central tension is clear: balance-sheet growth and a larger dividend contrast with weaker income and profit. The next test for Omari's tenure is whether lower funding costs and asset growth can restore earnings momentum.
Absa Bank Kenya stock closes at KES 33.35
Absa Bank Kenya stock closed at KES 33.35 on the Nairobi Securities Exchange on October 7, 2026, with a market capitalization of KES 181.14 billion.
Key facts on Absa Bank Kenya stock
- Company: Absa Bank Kenya PLC
- ISIN: KE0000000067
- Ticker: ABSA
- Trading venue: Nairobi Securities Exchange
- Price (as of October 7, 2026): KES 33.35
- Market capitalization: KES 181.1 billion (as of October 7, 2026)
- 52-week range: KES 21.75-36.00 (as of October 7, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Banking
Upcoming dates for Absa Bank Kenya stock
- October 15, 2026: Interim dividend payment
