Comprehensive comparison of Kenya's top credit cards. Compare cashback, rewards, travel benefits, annual fees, and interest rates. Updated October 2025.
Credit cards offer a convenient way to make purchases with a revolving credit line, earning rewards while building your credit history. Unlike debit cards that use your own money, credit cards let you borrow from the bank and repay later, either in full or in monthly installments. In Kenya's evolving financial landscape, credit cards have become increasingly popular, offering benefits from cashback to travel miles and purchase protection.
18-36%
On outstanding balances
25-55 Days
Interest-free if paid in full
Cashback credit cards are perfect for everyday spending, offering percentage returns on purchases. These cards reward you with actual cash or statement credits on your monthly expenses.
Kenya Commercial Bank
Best CashbackKenya's best cashback card offering 2% on all purchases with no category restrictions. Additional benefits include airport lounge access, travel insurance up to USD 100,000, and fraud protection. Free supplementary cards for family members.
View Details →Equity Bank
No Annual Fee Year 1First-year annual fee waived for new cardholders. Earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases, credited monthly. Includes purchase protection insurance, extended warranty on electronics, and emergency card replacement worldwide.
View Details →Absa Bank Kenya
Premium CardEarn enhanced 3% cashback at restaurants and 1% on all other purchases. Lowest interest rate among premium cards. Benefits include concierge service, golf discounts, and complimentary travel insurance.
View Details →Rewards credit cards let you earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, experiences, or statement credits. Ideal for those who want flexibility in how they use their rewards.
NCBA Bank Kenya
Best RewardsEarn 2 Loop Points per KES 100 spent. Redeem points for shopping at major retailers, fuel, airtime, or statement credits. Bonus points on birthdays and partner merchants. Mobile app integration for easy point tracking.
View Details →Standard Chartered Kenya
Flexible rewards program with points redeemable at 360 Rewards catalog. Choose from electronics, home appliances, travel experiences, or charity donations. Premium customer service with dedicated relationship manager.
View Details →Travel credit cards reward frequent flyers and travelers with airline miles, hotel points, airport lounge access, and comprehensive travel insurance. Perfect for business travelers and vacation enthusiasts.
KCB & Kenya Airways
Best Travel CardEarn Kenya Airways Flying Blue miles on every purchase. Sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles. Priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and lounge access at JKIA and select international airports. Travel insurance covering delays, lost luggage, and medical emergencies.
View Details →Standard Chartered Kenya
Convert reward points to airline miles with multiple carriers. Complimentary Priority Pass membership for 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide. Travel accident insurance up to USD 250,000 and emergency medical coverage.
View Details →| Card | Annual Fee | Interest Rate | Cash Advance Fee | Foreign Transaction | Late Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCB Gold | KES 3,500 | 19% | 6% | 3.5% | KES 1,500 |
| Equity Cashback | KES 2,500 | 20% | 6% | 3% | KES 1,200 |
| Absa Cashback | KES 4,000 | 18% | 5% | 3.5% | KES 1,500 |
| NCBA Loop Rewards | KES 3,000 | 21% | 6% | 3% | KES 1,000 |
| Standard Chartered | KES 4,500 | 19.5% | 6% | 3.5% | KES 1,500 |
Selecting the right credit card depends on your spending habits, financial goals, and lifestyle. Consider these factors when making your decision:
Review your monthly expenses to identify your largest spending categories. If you spend heavily on dining and entertainment, cashback cards with category bonuses make sense. Frequent travelers benefit most from travel rewards cards with airline miles and lounge access.
Example: Someone spending KES 50,000 monthly on groceries, fuel, and dining would earn KES 1,000 monthly (KES 12,000 yearly) with a 2% cashback card, easily offsetting the annual fee.
Consider annual fees, interest rates, and other charges against potential rewards. A card with higher annual fee might offer better overall value if rewards outweigh the cost. Calculate break-even points to ensure profitability.
Beyond rewards, consider value-added benefits that match your lifestyle:
Be honest about your ability to pay balances in full monthly. If you typically carry balances, prioritize cards with lower interest rates over high reward rates. Credit card interest (18-36% p.a.) can quickly negate any rewards earned.
Warning: Carrying a balance of KES 100,000 at 20% interest for 6 months costs about KES 10,000 in interest—far more than typical annual rewards earned.
Premium cards with best benefits require higher incomes and excellent credit scores. Ensure you meet minimum requirements before applying to avoid rejection, which can impact your credit score. Start with basic cards if you're building credit history.
Using credit cards wisely helps build credit history and maximize rewards while avoiding debt traps. Follow these best practices for responsible credit card use:
Pay the entire statement balance before the due date to avoid interest charges. This is the golden rule of credit card use. Set up automatic payments to never miss deadlines. Only minimum payments lead to expensive debt accumulation.
Use only 30% or less of your available credit limit. This "credit utilization ratio" significantly impacts your credit score. High utilization suggests financial stress even if you pay on time. Request limit increases if needed to maintain low utilization.
Monitor spending through mobile banking apps or statements. Set up SMS/email alerts for every transaction to quickly detect fraud. Review monthly statements carefully for unauthorized charges or errors. Report discrepancies immediately.
Read the fine print on annual fees, late payment penalties, cash advance fees, and foreign transaction charges. Know your interest rate and grace period. Understanding costs helps avoid expensive surprises and enables better financial planning.
Cash advances carry high fees (5-6%) plus immediate interest with no grace period. Use ATM cards or debit cards for cash needs. Credit card cash should only be absolute last resort in emergencies.
Use your credit card for planned purchases you can afford, not to enable overspending. Pay recurring bills (subscriptions, utilities) with credit cards for automatic rewards. Never spend more just to earn rewards—that defeats the purpose.
Never share your CVV, PIN, or full card details via email or phone. Shop only on secure websites (look for HTTPS and padlock icon). Enable transaction alerts and use virtual cards for online shopping when available. Report lost cards immediately.
Start with one card and use it responsibly for 6-12 months before applying for additional cards. Multiple applications in short time hurt your credit score. As you demonstrate responsible use, banks will increase your limits and offer premium cards.
Most Kenyan banks don't publish specific credit score requirements, but generally you need a clean CRBreport with no defaults or arrears. Basic cards require minimum credit history, while premium cards need established good credit over 12+ months. First-time applicants may start with lower limits that increase with responsible use.
Existing bank customers typically get approval within 3-7 business days. New customers may take 2-3 weeks including account opening, documentation verification, and credit checks. Cards are usually delivered via courier within 5-7 days after approval. Expedited processing available at some banks for a fee.
Yes, but it's easier with a salary account at the issuing bank. Self-employed individuals can apply using business bank statements, tax returns, and proof of income. Some banks require 6-12 months of banking relationship before issuing credit cards. Minimum income requirements typically range from KES 50,000- 100,000 monthly.
Credit limit is the maximum you can charge for purchases. Cash advance limit is usually 50-70% of credit limit and is the maximum cash you can withdraw from ATMs. Cash advances have immediate interest charges (no grace period) and higher fees, making them expensive. Always use debit cards for cash withdrawals.
Use your card regularly and pay balances in full for 6-12 months. Many banks automatically review and increase limits for responsible users. You can also request increases through your bank, providing updated income documentation. Avoid requesting increases too frequently as it may trigger credit inquiries that temporarily lower your score.
Yes, if you pay your balance in full monthly and spend enough to offset annual fees. Calculate your expected rewards against costs. For example, 2% cashback on KES 30,000 monthly spending yields KES 7,200 annually, easily justifying a KES 3,500 annual fee. However, if you carry balances, interest charges will far exceed any rewards earned.
Late payment fees (typically KES 1,000-1,500) apply immediately. After 30 days, it's reported to CRB, damaging your credit score. Interest accrues on the unpaid balance. Multiple missed payments can lead to card cancellation and legal action to recover debt. Contact your bank immediately if you anticipate payment difficulties to discuss options.
Yes, having multiple cards can be beneficial for earning category-specific rewards and maintaining low utilization ratios. However, only apply for new cards when you've demonstrated responsible use of existing ones. Too many cards can make tracking difficult and lead to overspending. Most people manage well with 2-3 cards maximum.
Compare rewards, fees, and benefits from Kenya's top credit cards and apply online today.