Kenyans put more money into unit trusts in Q2 2026 than in any prior quarter, pushing the industry to the edge of KES 1 trillion, per Capital Markets Authority (CMA) data.
Total assets under management (AUM) across collective investment schemes hit KES 948.7 billion as of June 30, 2026, up 11% from KES 851.7 billion the prior quarter. The CMA attributes the gain to inflows into existing funds, new funds under established umbrella schemes, and manager competition for savers.
The industry total matters less to individual savers than what the shift shows: where Kenyans keep their savings, and which funds win that competition.
Foreign currency funds grew faster than the market. Dollar and other hard-currency products rose 15% to KES 110.5 billion, now 12% of industry assets, tracking demand from diaspora remitters, importers, and savers hedging against shilling depreciation.
Where the Money Is Going
Standard Investment Trust Fund led, boosted by its Mansa-X special fund, with KES 188.6 billion, a 19.9% share.
Sanlam Unit Trust Scheme followed with KES 171.4 billion (18.1%), then CIC Unit Trust Scheme with KES 105.2 billion (11.1%). The top three managers hold about half of all money in Kenya’s 47 licensed unit trust schemes.
Britam Unit Trust Scheme and NCBA Unit Trust Scheme rounded out the top five, at KES 71.3 billion and KES 50.5 billion.
Market Share by Scheme (Q2 2026)
| Rank | Unit Trust Scheme | AUM (KES) | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standard Investment Trust Fund | 188,622,006,732 | 19.9% |
| 2 | Sanlam Unit Trust Scheme | 171,378,881,603 | 18.1% |
| 3 | CIC Unit Trust Scheme | 105,241,644,838 | 11.1% |
| 4 | Britam Unit Trust Scheme | 71,346,839,977 | 7.5% |
| 5 | NCBA Unit Trust Scheme | 50,542,547,679 | 5.3% |
| 6 | Old Mutual Unit Trust Scheme | 38,292,431,022 | 4.0% |
| 7 | Jubilee Unit Trust Scheme | 32,898,298,947 | 3.5% |
| 8 | Absa Unit Trust Funds | 31,387,291,252 | 3.3% |
| 9 | Coop Unit Trust Scheme | 27,094,876,512 | 2.9% |
| 10 | KCB Unit Trust Scheme | 26,029,114,667 | 2.7% |
| 11 | Etica Unit Trust Fund | 24,874,072,216 | 2.6% |
| 12 | ICEA Unit Trust Scheme | 23,736,234,273 | 2.5% |
| 13 | Madison Unit Trust Funds | 20,561,143,523 | 2.2% |
| 14 | Ziidi Money Market Fund | 19,891,341,048 | 2.1% |
| 15 | Faida Unit Trust Funds | 19,423,950,791 | 2.0% |
Remaining schemes each hold under 2% share. Figures per CMA data.
All five fund categories: money market, special, fixed income, equity, and balanced — added assets in Q2. Money market funds still hold most of the money, a pattern Khusoko has tracked in earlier coverage of Kenya’s unit trust sector and the push toward fixed income and special funds paying more over time.
What a Collective Investment Scheme Means for Your Money
A collective investment scheme, sold as a unit trust or mutual fund, pools money from many savers into one portfolio run by a licensed manager. Instead of buying government bonds, shares, or property directly, you buy units, and the manager places that pool across instruments such as treasury bills, corporate bonds, equities, or property.
This lowers the entry point to investing. Most funds accept deposits from a few thousand shillings, with no need to pick individual stocks or bonds. Returns come as interest, dividends, or capital gains, depending on fund type. The CMA licenses and supervises every scheme.
Kenya has 47 licensed unit trust schemes. Some sit inside banks such as KCB, Absa, and Coop; others are run by standalone managers such as Cytonn, Etica, and Zimele. The manager affects fees, fund types on offer, and withdrawal speed, so compare more than one option before committing.
What to Watch If You Have Money in a Fund
The KES 1 trillion threshold makes headlines, but two numbers underneath it are worth acting on. First, money market funds remain the default for most Kenyans due to simplicity and liquidity, though fixed income and special funds posted comparable or higher growth this quarter and may suit money you won’t touch for a year or more. Second, the rise in foreign currency fund assets gives savers with dollar income or upcoming dollar expenses a regulated local option instead of holding cash or opening an account abroad.
For more on Kenya’s unit trust sector and capital markets, see Khusoko’s markets coverage.
