Nairobi, June 30 -- The World Bank Group is offering Kenya a helping hand in unlocking a fresh funding programme from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a rare show of openness to mediation from the multilateral lender.

The Treasury omitted the IMF funding in the national budgets to 2030 following uncertainty about whether fresh talks tied to tough conditions could unlock multi-billion shilling loans.

However, the World Bank said the benefit of the IMF programme to Kenya goes beyond loans, arguing that policing from the fund and its reforms agenda are critical for the country.

The multilateral lender said it was in talks with the IMF in what is known as the Article IV consultation on the health of the Kenyan economy.

The IMF rec...