Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga has announced plans to launch a new digital cryptocurrency aimed at transforming Kenya's financial landscape.
Speaking on Thursday, September 18, Raila described the initiative as an ambitious step towards strengthening financial systems and supporting sustainable economic growth across Kenya, Africa, and the rest of the world.
Raila emphasized that the digital coin, referred to as the ‘Kenya token,’ will specifically target youth empowerment by creating opportunities for young people to learn, trade, and invest in cryptocurrency.
He positioned the initiative as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation within the expanding digital economy.
"This initiative will empower young people by creating opportunities to learn, trade, and invest in cryptocurrency. It will also boost innovation, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation in the growing digital economy," Raila stated during his announcement.
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The former Prime Minister expressed confidence in Kenya's readiness to assume a leadership role in digital finance, declaring that, "Kenya is ready to lead Africa and the world in the future of finance."
In a social media post accompanying his announcement, Raila wrote,"We are pleased to announce that Kenya Token will soon launch. A new digital asset aimed at improving our financial system and supporting economic growth. Kenya is stepping up to lead Africa into the crypto revolution, embracing digital finance and shaping a more crypto-friendly future."
Raila's announcement builds upon government support for Kenya's digital currency initiatives.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy expressed support for similar cryptocurrency ventures.
In July 2025, Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo welcomed the launch of the Kenya Digital Token, describing it as reflecting private sector confidence in digital innovation. While emphasizing that such tokens are not government-issued, Kabogo noted their alignment with national development objectives.
"I welcome the launch of the Kenya Digital Token as a bold step by the private sector to expand the digital economy. It reflects the growing confidence in tokenisation as a tool for value exchange, inclusion, and innovation," Kabogo had stated.
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted how digital currency initiatives support Kenya's bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
“It speaks directly to the heart of the Kenyan bottom-up economic transformation agenda, which empowers youth, drives economic dignity, and embraces technology to unlock opportunity,” Kabogo had stated.
