The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is set to meet on Wednesday, 29^th April 2020, to review the outcome of its previous policy decisions and recent economic developments, and to make a decision on the direction of the Central Bank Rate (CBR). In their previous meeting held on 23^rd March 2020, the committee decided to reconvene within a month for an early assessment of the impact of these measures and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last sitting, they lowered the CBR by 100 bps to 7.25% from 8.25% and reduced the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) to 4.25% from 5.25% citing that the Coronavirus pandemic was expected to adversely affect economic growth and as such, the need to cushion the economy against the effects of the pandemic and whilst preventing the COVID-19 health crisis from becoming a severe economic and financial crisis. This was in line with our expectations as per our MPC Note with our view having being informed by:

1. Expectations of cost-Push Inflation due to supply-side shortages caused by lockdowns across the globe which would have seen prices of consumer and capital goods in the market rising to exorbitant levels as the supply would be unable to meet the demand in the market. We foresaw the locust invasion which had plagued the country since the end of 2019 greatly affecting the agricultural sector, causing a further increase in food prices, and,
2. The instability of the Kenyan Shilling which had already lost by 2.0% YTD in 2020, then and having recorded the lowest performance since October- 2019 reflecting a less stable economic environment due to high dollar demand from foreigners exiting the market as they directed their funds to safer havens.

The Monetary Policy Committee also noted that the current account deficit was projected to come in at 4.0%-4.6% of GDP in 2019 compared to 5.0% in 2018, supported by a lower petroleum products import bill which was expected to moderate the impact of COVID-19 on the current account.

Below, we analyze the trends of the macro-economic indicators since the March 2020 MPC meeting, and how they are likely to affect the MPC decision on the direction of the CBR:

Conclusion

Of the six factors that we track, three are neutral and three are negative, with no changes between March 2020 and April 2020. Central Banks around the world have been moving to cut the Central Bank Rate in a bid to boost the economy amid the economic uncertainty brought about by the Coronavirus. This has seen the Central Bank of Kenya cut its country’s growth prospects to 3.4% from their earlier projections of 6.2%.  Most Central Banks around the world have taken a dovish monetary policy stance in a bid to boost the economy amid the negative macroeconomic effects emanating from the coronavirus outbreak. The table below shows how Central Banks of major global economies that have moved to cut interest rate so far;

We expect the MPC to further cut the Central Bank Rate (CBR) by 25 bps to 7.00% from 7.25%, with their decision mainly being supported by:

1. Cost-Push Inflation which continues to be a threat to the economy due to the locust invasion which has plagued the country since the end of 2019. Experts have warned that the country is likely to experience a second wave of locust invasion and this may greatly affect the agricultural sector, causing a further increase in food prices which has a new weighting of 32.9% in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Inflation may, however, be slowed down by the decline in oil prices across the globe due to a decline in demand. We, therefore, expect a decline in the transport index, which has a new weighting of 9.7% in the total consumer price index (CPI), due to the decrease in petrol and diesel prices,
2. The instability of the Kenyan Shilling having already lost by 5.6% YTD in 2020 reflecting a less stable economic environment. The country is experiencing high dollar demand from foreigners exiting the market as they direct their funds to safer havens as well as merchandise, and energy sector importers beefing up their hard currency positions amid a slowdown in foreign dollar currency inflows from diaspora remittances and fewer offshore investors to meet dollar demand, and,
3. The MPC may also cut the rate further to continue encouraging financial institutions to lend money to the private sector as most businesses may need to take up loans for business continuity purposes due to subdued revenues.

We maintain our view that monetary policy stimulus measures may not be highly effective in combating the effects emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic especially in some sectors such as the tourism sector which have been hit by demand-side issues.  We believe what businesses and the economy as a whole needs is financial relief as highlighted in our report on COVID-19 Economic Containment Policies in order to ensure survival during this period of uncertainties. So far, the government has announced tax relief through the reduction of tax rates for both individual and corporate incomes. In addition to the ongoing public health initiatives, the government can also explore the following additional  options:

1. Initiating an enhanced Economic Stimulus Package to help spur the economy and hasten its recovery following the effects of the novel coronavirus. This will be directed to the affected sectors such as tourism and horticulture,
2. Social transfers to vulnerable persons, laid-off workers, and self-employed persons in the informal sector for 3 months. This can be done through a “Lifeline Fund” where these payouts will cushion the affected households and ultimately help enforce the set curfews and movement restrictions in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus,
3. Setting up a credit facility to lend to businesses that have kept their staff on payroll to help reduce job losses attributable to the current economic situation,
4. Reaching out to external partners to help mobilize response capacity putting into consideration the country’s current fiscal position. International organizations such as the IMF & World Bank can provide financial aid to be directed towards containing the spread and adverse effects of COVID-19,
5. Initiate conversations with our foreign debtors regarding the existing repayment arrangements of the country’s debt and propose a debt relief, having considered the current market conditions. Restructuring the existing bilateral, multilateral and foreign commercial debt will help ensure the livelihoods of the citizenry is not compromised,
6. Encourage banks to give concessionary loans at lower rates to facilitate businesses, and as well provide moratoriums on loans that are due, and,
7. Strengthen the local supply chain for traders to be able to access import substitute goods.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are those of the writers where particulars are not warranted. This publication, which is in compliance with Section 2 of the Capital Markets Authority Act Cap 485A, is meant for general information only and is not a warranty, representation, advice, or solicitation of any nature. Readers are advised in all circumstances to seek the advice of a registered investment advisor.