*CBK pushes for lower loan costs in sixth rate cut* The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has piled more pressure on commercial banks to lower lending rates by cutting the benchmark rate at its sixth straight meeting to 9.75 percent from 10 percent. The regulator observed that there was more scope to ease its policy rate to revitalise private sector lending amid persistent low inflation and exchange rate stability. Average commercial bank lending rates have remained high, at 15.4 percent in May 2025 from 15.7 percent in April, even as returns on competing asset classes such as the one-year Treasury bill falls below 10 percent. The CBK has now cut its key lending rate by a cumulative 3.25 percentage points since August last year when it commenced easing its policy stance. The Central Bank Rate (CBR) now sits at its lowest since June 2023. _*Source: Business Daily*_