How to start investing in Treasury Bills from your phone
By Dan Kauna, July 19, 2026Investing in government Treasury Bills used to feel like an exclusive club for the wealthy or people with enough time to visit Central Bank offices. The launch of the DhowCSD platform changed everything by bringing these profitable short-term investments straight to your mobile phone.
This shift makes wealth creation simple and accessible for the everyday retail investor. Peer-reviewed research highlights that “mobile financial services such as M-PESA in Kenya are said to promote inclusion,” which creates a perfect foundation for advanced digital investing.
Today, that mobile convenience allows any Kenyan to buy government debt from home.
Getting started on DhowCSD
To start your investment journey, download the DhowCSD application from your mobile app store or dial the USSD code *866#. The registration screen prompts you to enter your National Identification number, your KRA PIN, and your commercial bank account details.
After you submit these facts, the Central Bank of Kenya verifies your documents and creates your unique central securities depository account within a few business days.
This digital system replaces the heavy paperwork that traditionally locked many Kenyans out of government securities.
Placing bids and growing your money
Once your account is active, you can participate in the weekly auctions. The standard minimum entry for a Treasury Bill is Sh100,000, and you can invest in multiples of Sh50,000.
When bidding on your phone, the application gives you two options: a competitive bid or a non-competitive bid. Individual retail investors usually prefer non-competitive bidding.
This option automatically accepts the weekly average interest rate determined by the market, ensuring you get your allocation without any guesswork.
The government issues these short-term papers in three maturities, which are 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day tenors. As of July 19, 2026, the yields are highly competitive. The 91-day paper averages 8.79 per cent, the 182-day is at 8.96 per cent, and the 364-day paper stands at 9.04 per cent.
When your auction bid succeeds, you will receive an automatic notification showing the discounted amount required for payment from your linked bank account.
When your security matures, the platform allows you to use an automated rollover function to reinvest your principal into the next auction cycle with a few taps, keeping your money earning continuously.