Effect of Interest Rates on Private Sector Debt in Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine the effect of interest rates on domestic private sector debt in Kenya over the 30 year period from 1990 to 2019. The dependent variable was private sector domestic debt, the independent variable was commercial bank weighted average lending rate while the control variables were annual GDP growth, extended broad money (M3) and annual USD-KES exchange rate. Using the Prais-Winstein estimator model, the regression model findings were commercial bank lending rate had an insignificant relationship with domestic debt at 95% confidence level but significant at 90% level while money supply had a negative and significant relationship with domestic debt. The study noted predominance of the banking sector in the financial sector and identified the need of a well-developed corporate debt market.