Nairobi, Aug. 2 -- The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is seeking Sh150 billion from three reopened infrastructure bonds that will make it easier to repay heavy Treasury bills that are maturing from mid this month amid a cash crunch.

The State is facing pressure to repay Sh195.7 billion in 91-day Treasury bills over the next three months after a heavy uptake of debt on the short term security since mid-May.

Infrastructure bonds tend to be popular with investors due to their tax-free status, making them a useful tool for the Treasury when it is looking to raise large sums from the domestic market.

The large target will also help the CBK in its search for billions in new debt as it races to fill the government's domestic borrowing target of ...