Nairobi, June 2 -- Kenya's public debt rose by Sh533 billion in the three months to March, underscoring the mounting financing needs facing the Treasury amid loan buybacks and refinancing deals.

Latest official data shows total public debt rose to Sh12.83 trillion at the end of March up from Sh12.29 trillion in December, adding more than half a trillion shillings within a single quarter.

The government has recently restructured its debt through buy back of bonds and lengthening the maturity of some debt to reduce refinancing risks and smoothen future repayments.

Domestic debt accounted for the bulk of the increase, rising to Sh7.15 trillion from Sh6.81 trillion in December, while external debt climbed to Sh5.68 trillion from Sh5.46 tri...