The Nairobi Securities Exchange closed Week 6 of 2026 on its strongest footing ever, as broad-based gains carried market capitalization to a new peak of KSh 3.199 trillion.
- โขThe NSE All Share Index (NASI) closed at a record 202.73, the highest level in its history: the NSE 20 rose 1.46% to 3,347.53, the NSE 25 surged 2.24% to 5,441.21, and the NSE 10 was up 2.33% to 2,094.47.
- โขThe Banking Index edged up 1.62% to 218.51, reflecting heavy activity in Equity, KCB, and Stanbic.
- โขOffshore participation fell to 24.6% of turnover, while local participation accounted for 75.4%, showing that domestic demand absorbed most selling pressure.
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Liquidity expanded, with equity volumes rising 8.79% to 124.8 million shares.
Equity turnover increased 6.9% week-on-week to KSh 4.76 billion, reinforcing that the marketโs strength was accompanied by real trading depth. Activity remained concentrated. The top five counters, led by Safaricom, Equity, KCB, Stanbic and BAT, generated KSh 3.62 billion, or 76.1% of total turnover, up from 67.3% the prior week.
Safaricom dominated again, trading 23 million shares worth KSh 1.49 billion and closing up 8.11% at KSh 32.00. Equity moved 16.9 million shares worth KSh 1.15 billion and finished 1.49% higher at KSh 68.00. KCB added 1.13% to KSh 67.25 on 6.5 million shares worth KSh 441 million. Stanbic rose 3.79% to KSh 205.50.
Outside banks, BAT gained 5.60% to KSh 500.00, while Kenya Power added 0.65% to KSh 15.45. KenGen held flat at KSh 9.60. In contrast, EABL slipped 3.29% to KSh 250.00, even after trading 586,000 shares worth KSh 148.4 million.
Bonds and derivatives
The bond market cooled after a busy January. Secondary bond turnover fell 20.2% to KSh 57.52 billion, while the Bond Index slipped 0.55% to 1167.67. Derivatives activity picked up sharply, with 4,693 contracts traded, up 56.2% from the prior week, though not all gains translated into higher value traded.
Corporate news that moved sentiment
Safaricom declared an interim dividend of KSh 0.85 per share, reinforcing its cash strength. Kenya Power reported a half-year pre-tax profit of KSh 14.83 billion, while Standard Group suspended its proposed rights issue. HFC appointed a new independent director, signaling governance continuity.
The week closed with the NASI at an all-time high, banks driving flows, and locals supporting prices amid heavy foreign selling. Momentum remains positive, but sustainability now depends on whether offshore investors return.
