Introduction

Most first-time investors in Kenya reach a point where they want better returns than a savings account but don’t have the time, skill, or confidence to pick individual investments. Asset and investment management firms exist to solve exactly that gap. They are licensed companies that pool money from the public into regulated products—mainly unit trusts and pension schemes—and manage those funds professionally.

For beginners, the problem isn’t just choosing a firm. It’s understanding whether you even need an asset manager, what “management” actually involves, and how to compare providers whose products often look identical from the outside. Kenya’s market adds another layer of complexity: many firms advertise aggressively, some focus on high-yield real estate, others specialize in conservative money market funds, and a few are investment companies rather than true asset managers. Without a clear frame, the options blur together.

This guide narrows the field. It explains the core functions of asset managers, shows the situations where using one makes sense, outlines the specific criteria you should use to judge them, and presents a neutral list of licensed Kenyan firms suitable for novices. By the end, you should be able to decide whether an asset manager fits your needs and create a focused shortlist of reliable providers—not a random collection of names.

What an Asset Manager Actually Is

An asset manager is a licensed firm that invests money on behalf of clients who want professional handling of their savings. In Kenya, most beginners interact with asset managers through unit trust funds (such as Money Market, Balanced, Bond, or Equity Funds) or pension schemes regulated by the CMA or RBA.

To avoid confusion, it’s important to separate asset managers from other financial players that look similar but operate differently.

How Asset Managers Differ From Other Options

1. Asset Managers vs. Investment Companies
Asset managers manage other people’s money.
Investment companies (like Centum) invest their own capital and are not offering unit trusts to retail beginners. Buying their shares is not the same as placing funds under management.

2. Asset Managers vs. Stockbrokers
A stockbroker lets you trade shares directly on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. They execute orders; they do not build or manage diversified portfolios for you.

3. Asset Managers vs. Banks
Banks provide savings accounts, fixed deposits, and loans.
Asset managers provide market-linked investment products regulated under the Capital Markets Authority.

4. Asset Managers vs. “Investment Apps”
Apps are only distribution channels. Some apps are connected to licensed asset managers; others are unregulated, which introduces unnecessary risk. The manager—not the app—determines the fund’s legitimacy.

What Beginners Typically Use

Most first-time investors don’t interact with complex investment strategies. They usually start with:

  • Money Market Funds (MMFs) – Low-risk options for parking cash short-term.
  • Bond Funds – Exposure to government and corporate bonds for moderate risk.
  • Balanced Funds – Mix of equities and bonds for medium- to long-term goals.
  • Equity Funds – Higher-risk funds focused on shares for long-term growth.
  • Pension Schemes – RBA-regulated retirement savings products.

These products allow small investors to access diversified portfolios without needing to pick individual stocks or bonds. For beginners comparing Kenyan investment options, these are the relevant tools—not private equity funds, listed investment firms, or speculative products.

This definition establishes the scope of what follows and aligns the rest of the guide with what a novice actually needs.

Do You Even Need an Asset Manager? A Simple Decision Framework

Before comparing firms, you need clarity on whether an asset manager fits your situation. Many beginners jump straight to picking a provider without first determining if professional management is necessary. Use the framework below to avoid that mistake.

When You Do Need an Asset Manager

You are the target user for an asset manager if any of these apply:

  • You want better returns than a savings account but lack the time to research investments.
  • You prefer diversified, professionally managed portfolios instead of picking individual assets on your own.
  • Your goal is medium to long term, e.g., school fees planning, a future house deposit, or retirement.
  • You want low-risk cash management, especially through a Money Market Fund for emergency savings or short-term parking.
  • You want regulated investment products with structured oversight (CMA or RBA) rather than informal or high-risk alternatives.

When You Don’t Need an Asset Manager

An asset manager may not be the right tool if:

  • Your money is needed in days, not months.
    A simple bank account covers that.

  • You are saving through a SACCO and satisfied with dividends.
    SACCOs are savings-and-credit cooperatives, not investment vehicles. They serve a different purpose.

  • You plan to trade shares yourself.
    In that case, you need a stockbroker, not an asset manager.

  • You’re chasing extremely high returns.
    Asset managers do not offer guaranteed high yields. If that’s the expectation, the problem is unrealistic expectations, not insufficient options.

A Quick Self-Check (Answer These in 30 Seconds)

  1. Do you want your money professionally managed rather than self-directed?
  2. Is your intention to save for at least several months?
  3. Do you want a regulated, lower-risk way to grow your savings?
  4. Are you comfortable with market-linked returns that may vary over time?
  5. Do you prefer a simple “deposit → earn → withdraw” experience?

If you answer “yes” to most of these, using an asset manager is appropriate.
If you answer “no” to most, a different financial tool fits your situation better.

This decision step prevents beginners from misunderstanding what asset managers are designed to do—and ensures the rest of the guide remains relevant to the right reader.

How Asset Managers Work: The Core Functions (Simplified)

Understanding what asset managers actually do prevents unrealistic expectations and helps you judge firms more effectively. The functions below describe the practical, day-to-day activities that determine how your money is handled once you place it into a fund.

1. Research and Investment Strategy

Asset managers study financial markets—bonds, equities, interest rates, inflation trends, and economic data.
Their goal is to build a strategy that matches each fund’s purpose. For example:

  • Money Market Funds aim for stability and liquidity.
  • Equity Funds aim for long-term growth with higher volatility.
  • Balanced Funds combine both to reduce risk.

This strategy sets the foundation for how your money is invested.

2. Portfolio Construction

Once a strategy is defined, the manager selects specific assets:

  • Government securities (T-Bills, T-Bonds)
  • Corporate bonds
  • Listed shares on the NSE
  • Cash and short-term deposits
  • Other approved instruments

These are combined to create a diversified portfolio. Diversification reduces the risk of a single asset harming overall returns.

3. Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments

Markets change. Asset managers track:

  • Interest rate movements
  • Company performance
  • Inflation trends
  • Regulatory and economic shifts

They adjust the portfolio when necessary—selling, buying, or reallocating—to stay aligned with the fund’s objectives.

Beginners usually don’t see this work, but it explains why professional management exists in the first place.

4. Unit Trust Funds Explained

Most Kenyan beginners interact with asset managers through unit trusts, which pool money from many investors into a single professionally managed fund. Examples include:

  • Money Market Fund – low risk, ideal for short-term savings.
  • Bond Fund – moderate risk, focused on income from bonds.
  • Balanced Fund – medium risk, mixes stocks and bonds.
  • Equity Fund – higher risk, focused on shares for long-term growth.

You buy “units” in these funds, and the value of your units changes based on the performance of the underlying assets.

5. Fees and How They Work

Asset managers charge fees to cover management and operational costs. Typical fee types include:

  • Management fee – the main ongoing charge, deducted from the fund.
  • Initial or exit fees – charged by some firms (many waive these for retail products).
  • Trustee, custodian, and audit fees – built into the overall fund structure, not paid directly by the investor.

For novices, the key point is that returns shown by a fund are net of most fees. Higher fees are not necessarily bad, but they must be justified by transparency and consistent discipline.

6. Regulatory Oversight: CMA and RBA

Kenya’s investment ecosystem relies on two regulators:

  • Capital Markets Authority (CMA) – oversees unit trusts and general investment management.
  • Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) – oversees pension schemes.

A licensed manager must follow strict investment guidelines, use approved custodians, and produce regular reports. Licensing does not eliminate risk, but it prevents misuse of funds and sets clear operating rules.


This section gives beginners a functional understanding of what they are paying for when they use an asset manager. It also prepares them for the next part: evaluating firms using concrete, beginner-friendly criteria.

How to Evaluate and Choose a Kenyan Asset Manager

Once you know what asset managers do, the next step is deciding how to compare them. Beginners often focus on headlines like “highest return” or “biggest fund,” but those measures alone are unreliable. Use the criteria below to form a practical, defensible shortlist.

1. Licensing: CMA or RBA (Non-Negotiable)

Every legitimate Kenyan asset manager must be licensed by:

  • Capital Markets Authority (CMA) – for unit trusts
  • Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) – for pension schemes

If a firm is not listed on either regulator’s official site, it is not an asset manager you should consider.
Licensing determines trustworthiness more than marketing claims or advertised yields.

2. Products Suitable for Beginners

A firm should clearly offer at least one of the following retail-friendly products:

  • Money Market Fund (MMF) – for short-term saving
  • Bond or Income Fund – for moderate-risk growth
  • Balanced Fund – for medium to long-term goals
  • Equity Fund – for long-term, higher-risk growth
  • Pension products (RBA-regulated) – for retirement planning

If you are a beginner, niche offerings like private equity, structured notes, or high-yield real estate products are not relevant.

3. Minimum Investment and Accessibility

Key questions:

  • What is the minimum deposit to open an account?
  • Can you top up using M-Pesa, bank transfer, or an app?
  • Does the firm provide a simple dashboard or portal to monitor your units?
  • Are withdrawals straightforward and time-bound?

For novices, ease of access matters more than theoretical performance differences.

4. Fee Structure and Transparency

Fees subtly determine long-term outcomes.

Look for firms that clearly publish:

  • Management fees
  • Any initial or exit charges
  • Trustee, custodian, and audit fees
  • How often fees are deducted from the fund

If fee information is hidden or difficult to find, treat that as a warning signal.

5. Track Record, Stability, and Operational Discipline

Beginners do not need to analyze advanced performance metrics. Focus on:

  • Consistency across several years
  • Stability through different market conditions
  • Reasonably steady market reputation
  • Availability of fund fact sheets and regular reports

Avoid firms that only highlight short-term spikes in returns.

6. Transparency and Communication

Reliable managers publish:

  • Monthly or quarterly fact sheets
  • Clear portfolio breakdowns
  • NAV (unit price) updates
  • Information about custodians and trustees
  • Realistic expectations (not “guaranteed” yields)

Opacity is a sign of weak governance.

7. Client Experience and Service Quality

This includes:

  • How fast withdrawals are processed
  • Responsiveness to basic questions
  • Clarity in onboarding
  • Clean, functioning apps or dashboards
  • Straightforward documentation

Poor service is not always a deal-breaker, but it should influence your shortlist.


Red Flags Beginners Should Avoid

  1. Unlicensed products or managers
  2. Guaranteed returns (impossible in regulated unit trusts)
  3. Overemphasis on unusually high yields
  4. Lack of published fact sheets
  5. Confusing or aggressive marketing narratives
  6. Withdrawal delays without clear explanations

These criteria give you a concrete decision-making frame. They shift the focus from hype to structure, helping you filter out unsuitable firms before you even begin comparing returns.

Top Regulated Asset Management Firms in Kenya

Once you understand how asset managers work and how to evaluate them, the next question is simple: which specific firms in Kenya should you even consider? The market includes insurance-linked groups, independent managers, pension specialists, and newer entrants; without a filter, the list becomes noise.

This section focuses on licensed, retail-accessible asset managers offering beginner-friendly products such as Money Market Funds, Balanced Funds, Bond/Income Funds, Equity Funds, and RBA-regulated pension schemes. It is not a ranking and does not cover investment companies that primarily invest their own capital.

How the Firms Were Selected

Firms included here broadly satisfy the following conditions:

  • Proper licensing
    Listed by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) for unit trusts and, where relevant, by the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) for pension products.

  • Retail-friendly products
    Clear offering of unit trusts and/or pension schemes that accept relatively small minimum investments.

  • Operational track record
    Established presence in the Kenyan market with a history of managing client funds through different conditions.

  • Basic transparency
    Availability of fund information such as fact sheets, NAV updates, and product descriptions.

  • Practical accessibility
    Onboarding and transactions via common channels such as M-Pesa, bank transfers, apps, or online portals.

The profiles that follow are structured in a uniform way so beginners can compare firms on the factors that matter, rather than relying on marketing claims or headline return figures.

1. Britam Asset Managers

Who They Are
Britam Asset Managers is the investment management arm of Britam Holdings, a major financial services group in East Africa. The firm operates a broad retail-oriented platform with a long-established presence in the Kenyan market.

Licensing

  • CMA: Licensed to operate unit trust funds
  • RBA: Licensed to manage pension schemes

Beginner-Friendly Products

  • Money Market Fund
  • Income/Bond Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Equity Fund
  • Pension products (individual and corporate)

Minimum Investment
Low minimum entry amounts across most retail funds, making it accessible to first-time investors.

Access / Channels

  • Mobile app
  • Online portal
  • M-Pesa deposits
  • Traditional bank transfer routes

Reputation & Strengths
Large client base, established operational infrastructure, consistent reporting, and straightforward account setup. Britam is typically viewed as a stable, conservative option.

Suitable For
Beginners who want a well-known, diversified asset manager with multiple product choices and simple digital access.

2. GenAfrica Asset Managers

Who They Are
GenAfrica is one of Kenya’s longest-operating asset management firms, originally focused on institutional and pension clients but now offering accessible retail products as well.

Licensing

  • CMA: Licensed for unit trusts
  • RBA: Licensed for pension fund management

Beginner-Friendly Products

  • Money Market Fund
  • Income/Bond Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Equity Fund

Minimum Investment
Generally modest minimums suitable for individual retail investors.

Access / Channels

  • Online portal
  • Customer service–assisted onboarding and support

Reputation & Strengths
Known for conservative investment discipline and long-term stability. Strong reputation particularly in pension and institutional mandates.

Suitable For
Beginners who prefer a firm with a long track record and a steady, risk-aware investment approach.


3. Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG Kenya)

Who They Are
OMIG is part of Old Mutual, a regional financial group with diversified financial services across Africa. The Kenyan business has a wide selection of unit trust and pension products.

Licensing

  • CMA: Unit trust license
  • RBA: Pension management license

Beginner-Friendly Products

  • Money Market Fund
  • Income/Bond Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Equity Fund
  • Individual pension schemes

Minimum Investment
Low barriers to entry for retail participants.

Access / Channels

  • Mobile apps
  • Online portal
  • M-Pesa
  • Branch network

Reputation & Strengths
Robust infrastructure, frequent fund updates, and strong brand presence. Offers both traditional and long-term retirement products.

Suitable For
Beginners who want a broad product catalogue and easy digital access backed by a large regional institution.


4. ICEA Lion Asset Management

Who They Are
ICEA Lion is part of the ICEA Lion Group, a major financial services provider in East Africa with a strong presence in insurance and investments.

Licensing

  • CMA: Licensed for unit trusts
  • RBA: Licensed for pension schemes

Beginner-Friendly Products

  • Money Market Fund
  • Fixed Income/Bond Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Equity Fund
  • Pension products

Minimum Investment
Low initial investment requirements across most retail funds.

Access / Channels

  • Mobile app
  • Online portal
  • M-Pesa
  • Branch support

Reputation & Strengths
Regular fund reporting, strong operational backing, and a diversified investment platform. Frequently recognized for transparency and client accessibility.

Suitable For
Beginners looking for a reliable, well-established manager with strong digital tools.


5. Sanlam Investments East Africa

Who They Are
Sanlam Investments is part of Sanlam Group, a major pan-African financial institution offering a mix of retail and institutional investment solutions.

Licensing

  • CMA: Unit trust license
  • RBA: Pension management license

Beginner-Friendly Products

  • Money Market Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Equity Fund
  • Income/Bond Fund
  • Pension schemes

Minimum Investment
Retail-friendly minimums.

Access / Channels

  • App and online systems
  • M-Pesa
  • Branch-based service

Reputation & Strengths
Known for disciplined investment processes and strong presence in both retail and institutional markets.

Suitable For
Beginners seeking a reputable, regionally recognized manager with conservative product structures.


6. Co-opTrust Investment Services

Who They Are
Co-opTrust is the asset management subsidiary of Co-operative Bank, serving both retail and institutional investors with a focus on fixed income and balanced strategies.

Licensing

  • CMA: Licensed for unit trusts
  • RBA: Licensed for pension management

Beginner-Friendly Products

  • Money Market Fund
  • Income/Bond Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Pension products

Minimum Investment
Low minimum investment thresholds across most funds.

Access / Channels

  • M-Pesa
  • Online portal
  • Co-operative Bank branch network

Reputation & Strengths
Strong backing from a major Kenyan bank, predictable fixed-income orientation, and straightforward onboarding.

Suitable For
Beginners who prefer a bank-linked asset manager and want simple fixed-income–focused options.


7. Zimele Unit Trust

Who They Are
Zimele is a long-standing investment firm known for low minimums and beginner-friendly savings products.

Licensing

  • CMA: Licensed for unit trusts
  • RBA: Licensed for pension schemes

Beginner-Friendly Products

  • Money Market Fund (Zimele Savings Plan)
  • Balanced or Growth-oriented funds
  • Pension products

Minimum Investment
Very low minimums, often among the lowest in Kenya.

Access / Channels

  • USSD
  • M-Pesa
  • Online portal

Reputation & Strengths
Highly accessible for small savers, transparent processes, and straightforward fund structures.

Suitable For
Beginners starting with small amounts who need a simple, predictable entry point.


8. Kuza Asset Management

Who They Are
A Nairobi-based investment manager founded in 2021, offering personalized services and a growing retail fund offering.

Licensing

  • CMA: Unit trust license
  • RBA: Pension license

Beginner-Friendly Products

  • Money Market Fund
  • Income/Bond Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Advisory services

Minimum Investment
Retail-accessible minimums.

Access / Channels

  • Online onboarding
  • M-Pesa
  • Direct customer support

Reputation & Strengths
Newer entrant with a focus on client relationships, transparency, and personalized guidance.

Suitable For
Beginners who want a smaller, more responsive manager with straightforward product options.


Optional Inclusion: Cytonn (With Necessary Caveat)

If you choose to include Cytonn, it must be presented neutrally and factually:

Who They Are
An investment firm known for real estate-heavy and alternative investment products.

Licensing Notes
Cytonn’s regulated unit trust business (Cytonn Asset Managers) has existed separately from its unregulated, high-yield real estate products. Any inclusion should strictly refer to the licensed unit trust entity.

Beginner Relevance
Not ideal for novices due to product complexity and the firm’s widely reported liquidity disputes.

Suitable For
Not recommended for beginners. Include only if the article requires comprehensiveness.


These profiles maintain neutrality while giving beginners the information needed to form a shortlist using consistent evaluation criteria.

Quick Comparison Table

The table below gives a high-level snapshot of the major beginner-relevant features across the listed asset managers.
It is not a ranking; it simply highlights practical attributes a novice can use to narrow down a shortlist.

Asset ManagerCMA LicensedRBA LicensedMoney Market FundMin. Investment (Approx.)Access & ChannelsNotes on Beginner Fit
Britam Asset ManagersYesYesYesLowApp, Portal, M-Pesa, BankBroad product range; strong retail focus
GenAfrica Asset ManagersYesYesYesLow–ModerateOnline portalLong track record; conservative approach
Old Mutual Investment GroupYesYesYesLowApp, Portal, M-Pesa, BranchesLarge institution; wide fund variety
ICEA Lion Asset ManagementYesYesYesLowApp, Portal, M-Pesa, BranchesStrong transparency and digital tools
Sanlam Investments East AfricaYesYesYesLowApp, Portal, M-Pesa, BranchesRegional stability; structured products
Co-opTrust Investment ServicesYesYesYesLowM-Pesa, Portal, Co-op Bank branchesBank-backed; fixed-income strengths
Zimele Unit TrustYesYesYesVery LowUSSD, Portal, M-PesaHighly accessible; excellent for small starters
Kuza Asset ManagementYesYesYesLowOnline onboarding, M-PesaNewer entrant; personalized service

This table is intentionally simple. It gives novices the core signals necessary to narrow choices without diving into technical performance metrics or marketing claims.

Common Questions Kenyan Beginners Ask

Beginners entering the investment space usually have a few recurring concerns. These questions shape how people evaluate asset managers, and ignoring them leads to unrealistic expectations or poor decisions. The answers below focus on practical clarity rather than theory.

1. Are Money Market Funds safe?

Money Market Funds invest mainly in short-term government securities, bank deposits, and high-quality money market instruments. They are considered low risk but not risk-free. The key safety factor is that managed funds are held by an independent custodian, not the asset manager, which prevents misuse of investor money.

2. Can I lose money in a unit trust?

Yes, but losses in beginner-focused funds are uncommon and usually small in conservative products like MMFs. Bond, Balanced, and Equity Funds can fluctuate more, especially over short periods. The risk level depends on the type of fund, not the brand name of the manager.

3. What happens if an asset manager collapses?

Client assets are legally separated from the manager’s operational accounts. A licensed custodian—often a large bank—holds the underlying investments. If the manager fails, another licensed manager can be appointed to take over the fund. This separation is one reason licensing is non-negotiable.

4. Are returns guaranteed?

No. Regulated unit trusts cannot guarantee returns. Any provider promising fixed or unusually high returns is either unregulated or misrepresenting the product. Fund returns vary based on market conditions, interest rates, and asset performance.

5. How do withdrawals work?

Withdrawals depend on the fund type:

  • Money Market Funds: typically 1–3 business days
  • Bond/Income and Balanced Funds: may take longer due to settlement cycles
  • Equity Funds: depend on market liquidity and valuation schedules

Each firm publishes withdrawal timelines; beginners should confirm these before depositing.

6. What fees should I expect?

Common fees include:

  • Management fee (annual charge built into the fund)
  • Trustee, custodian, and audit fees (included in fund expenses)

Some firms have initial or exit fees, but these are less common in modern retail products. Always check the fund fact sheet for exact rates.

7. Are unit trusts Shariah-compliant?

Some managers offer Shariah-compliant funds, but not all. If this matters to you, confirm the fund type and governing guidelines before investing.

8. Do I pay tax on my returns?

Yes. In Kenya, applicable taxes include:

  • Withholding tax on interest-based returns (e.g., MMFs, bond funds)
  • Capital gains tax does not apply to unit trust unit price gains
  • Pension products have separate RBA tax rules

Fund managers typically handle the tax deductions automatically.


These questions cover the practical concerns that most first-time investors bring into the decision-making process, helping beginners focus on structure and process rather than marketing promises.

How to Build Your Shortlist

At this point, you have the criteria, the firm profiles, and the basic understanding of how asset managers operate. What remains is a direct process for narrowing the field to two or three firms you can evaluate more closely. The steps below focus on structure, not intuition.

Step 1: Identify Your Primary Goal

Your goal determines the product type:

  • Short-term savings / emergency fund → Money Market Fund
  • Medium-term growth → Balanced or Bond Fund
  • Long-term growth → Equity Fund or Balanced Fund
  • Retirement savings → RBA-regulated pension scheme

If you aren’t clear on your goal, you cannot compare firms logically.

Step 2: Filter by Licensing

Remove any firm that is not listed by:

  • CMA for unit trust products
  • RBA for pension schemes

This eliminates unregulated operators and high-risk products disguised as investments.

Step 3: Check Minimum Investment Requirements

Match firms to your starting amount:

  • Very small starting amount → Zimele or similar low-minimum providers
  • Low to moderate starting amount → Britam, ICEA Lion, Old Mutual, Sanlam, Kuza
  • Bank-linked onboarding preferred → Co-opTrust

A shortlist only makes sense if you can actually meet the entry thresholds.

Step 4: Compare Access and Convenience

Consider how you prefer to interact with the platform:

  • If you want an app or portal, look at Britam, ICEA Lion, Old Mutual, Sanlam
  • If you prefer USSD or simple mobile flows, Zimele and Co-opTrust are practical
  • If you want direct, personalized support, Kuza fits better

Ease of deposits and withdrawals matters more to beginners than small performance differences.

Step 5: Review Transparency and Reporting

Eliminate any firm that does not consistently provide:

  • Updated NAV/unit price
  • Monthly or quarterly fact sheets
  • Clear explanations of the fund’s holdings
  • Published fees

Opacity adds unnecessary risk.

Step 6: Conduct a Withdrawal Test (Optional but Effective)

Before committing larger amounts:

  • Deposit the minimum
  • Request a withdrawal after a few days
  • Confirm speed and accuracy

This is the most practical check for real-world reliability.

Step 7: Create a Shortlist of 2–3 Firms

Use the previous steps to settle on a small group, for example:

  • A large, established manager
  • A smaller, service-focused manager
  • A low-minimum entrant if capital is limited

A shortlist prevents analysis paralysis and gives you a structured next step.


This framework avoids subjective judgments and replaces them with a clean, reproducible process suitable for novices comparing asset managers for the first time.

Conclusion

Choosing an asset manager is simpler when approached as a structured decision rather than an emotional or marketing-driven one. The key points are clear: understand what asset managers do, determine whether their products match your goals, evaluate firms using objective criteria, and rely on licensing and transparency as your primary filters.

Kenya has several regulated managers offering beginner-friendly products such as Money Market, Bond, Balanced, and Equity Funds. These products give retail investors access to diversified portfolios without needing the expertise to build them independently. The shortlist process outlined above reduces the complexity of the market into practical steps that any new investor can follow.

If you plan to move forward, review fact sheets from the firms on your shortlist, test their onboarding and withdrawal processes, and confirm that each product aligns with your timeline and risk tolerance. That ensures your choice is grounded in evidence, not speculation.


Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about regulated asset managers and unit trust products in Kenya. It is not financial advice, tax advice, or a recommendation to invest in any specific fund or company. Investors should verify current data, licensing status, terms, and performance information directly with each provider before making any investment decision.