NAIROBI, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's foreign exchange reserves have fallen by 22.8 billion shillings (212 million U.S. dollars), a drop attributed to payment of interest on external debt and central bank bid to support the local currency amid rising import bill.

The reserves fell from 8.838 billion dollars to 8.627 billion dollars last week, according to latest data issued on Monday by the Central Bank of Kenya.

The apex bank, however, said the forex reserves remain adequate, meeting its statutory requirements to endeavor to maintain at least four months of import cover, as well as the East Africa Community convergence criteria of 4.5 months of import cover.

The CBK normally uses the reserves to bolster the shilling, which has been under pressure in the past few weeks, trading at a low of 108.50 to the dollar on Monday, down from 107.7 to the greenback in July.

Imports into Kenya have been rising as countries reopen their economies and economic activities pick up in the east African nation, putting a strain on the shilling.

Kenya's external debt now stands at 36 billion dollars, up from 31 billion dollars in January. Enditem

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