Kenya has started talks with the IMF for a new program, finance minister says

NAIROBI, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Kenya has already started talks with International Monetary Fund officials to secure a new lending program when the current one expires in April, its finance minister told Reuters on Wednesday.

The East African nation needs continued support from the Washington-based lender to keep its economy on track, Finance Minister John Mbadi said in an interview.

A $1.5 billion commercial loan from the United Arab Emirates was still an option for the government to fund its budget this fiscal year, he said, but they are also consider other sources, including issuing a Eurobond.