Kenya

Extent of IFRS application | Status | Additional Information |
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IFRS Standards are required for domestic public companies |
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IFRS Standards required for listed companies, financial institutions, and some government-owned companies. |
IFRS Standards are permitted but not required for domestic public companies | ||
IFRS Standards are required or permitted for listings by foreign companies |
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Required. |
The IFRS for SMEs Standard is required or permitted |
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Full IFRS Standards are required for some SMEs in which the government has an ownership interested. For all other SMEs, the IFRS for SMEs Standard is permitted. |
The IFRS for SMEs Standard is under consideration |
Organisation
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Has the jurisdiction made a public commitment in support of moving towards a single set of high quality global accounting standards?
Has the jurisdiction made a public commitment towards IFRS Standards as that single set of high quality global accounting standards?
What is the jurisdiction's status of adoption?
Additional comments provided on the adoption status?
In Technical Release No. 4 (see above) the Council of the ICPAK adopted IAS Standards (now known as IFRS Standards) as the financial reporting standards in Kenya effective for financial statements covering periods beginning 1 January 1999. The ICPAK Council adoption of IFRS Standards was communicated through publication in a national newspaper and through communication to the various organisations in the country.
IFRS Standards become effective on their respective effective dates as issued by the IASB Board. While the Council maintains the right to make changes to IFRS Standards, to date the ICPAK Council has not made any modifications to IFRS Standards. www.icpak.com/knowledge.php?a_id=123
The use of IFRS Standards is also required by the Nairobi Securities Exchange Listing Requirements.
If the jurisdiction has NOT made a public statement supporting the move towards a single set of accounting standards and/or towards IFRS Standards as that set of standards, explain the jurisdiction's general position towards the adoption of IFRS Standards in the jurisdiction.
For DOMESTIC companies whose debt or equity securities trade in a public market in the jurisdiction:
Are all or some domestic companies whose securities trade in a public market either required or permitted to use IFRS Standards in their consolidated financial statements?
If YES, are IFRS Standards REQUIRED or PERMITTED?
Does that apply to ALL domestic companies whose securities trade in a public market, or only SOME? If some, which ones?
Are IFRS Standards also required or permitted for more than the consolidated financial statements of companies whose securities trade in a public market?
For instance, are IFRS Standards required or permitted in separate company financial statements of companies whose securities trade in a public market?
For instance, are IFRS Standards required or permitted for companies whose securities do not trade in a public market?
If the jurisdiction currently does NOT require or permit the use of IFRS Standards for domestic companies whose securities trade in a public market, are there any plans to permit or require IFRS Standards for such companies in the future?
For FOREIGN companies whose debt or equity securities trade in a public market in the jurisdiction:
Are all or some foreign companies whose securities trade in a public market either REQUIRED or PERMITTED to use IFRS Standards in their consolidated financial statements?
If YES, are IFRS Standards REQUIRED or PERMITTED in such cases?
Does that apply to ALL foreign companies whose securities trade in a public market, or only SOME? If some, which ones?
Which IFRS Standards are required or permitted for domestic companies?
The auditor's report and/or the basis of presentation footnote states that financial statements have been prepared in conformity with:
Does the auditor's report and/or the basis of preparation footnote allow for ‘dual reporting’ (conformity with both IFRS Standards and the jurisdiction’s GAAP)?
No.
Are IFRS Standards incorporated into law or regulations?
If yes, how does that process work?
If no, how do IFRS Standards become a requirement in the jurisdiction?
Does the jurisdiction have a formal process for the 'endorsement' or 'adoption' of new or amended IFRS Standards (including Interpretations) in place?
If yes, what is the process?
If no, how do new or amended IFRS Standards become a requirement in the jurisdiction?
Has the jurisdiction eliminated any accounting policy options permitted by IFRS Standards and/or made any modifications to any IFRS Standards?
If yes, what are the changes?
Other comments regarding the use of IFRS Standards in the jurisdiction?
None.
Are IFRS Standards translated into the local language?
No. The English Standards are used in Kenya.
If they are translated, what is the translation process? In particular, does this process ensure an ongoing translation of the latest updates to IFRS Standards?
Has the jurisdiction adopted the IFRS for SMEs Standard for at least some SMEs?
If no, is the adoption of the IFRS for SMEs Standard under consideration?
Did the jurisdiction make any modifications to the IFRS for SMEs Standard?
If the jurisdiction has made any modifications, what are those modifications?
Which SMEs use the IFRS for SMEs Standard in the jurisdiction, and are they required or permitted to do so?
All entities that are not publicly accountable and prepare general purpose financial statements are permitted to apply the IFRS for SMEs Standard. Alternatively they may use full IFRS Standards.
The ICPAK has designated certain entities as being publicly accountable. Those entities cannot use the IFRS for SMEs Standard. They must use full IFRS Standards. Publicly accountable entities include, but are not limited to:
- Entities whose debt or equity instruments are traded in a public market (a domestic or foreign stock exchange or an over-the-counter market, including local and regional markets), or are in the process of issuing such instruments for trading in a public market.
- Entities that hold assets in a fiduciary capacity for a broad group of outsiders as one of its primary businesses.
- Public organisations that are owned in whole or in part by the State or that are otherwise controlled directly or indirectly by the State.
- Private organisations in which the State has a non-controlling equity interest.