Market Closes Lower as Major Indices Slip; Kenya Power Leads Turnover

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) closed the trading session in negative territory, with all major indices posting declines. The NASI fell by 1.4%, the NSE 10 dropped 1.1%, while the NSE 20 and NSE 25 eased by 0.6% and 1.0%, respectively, reflecting a broadly bearish market tone.

Despite the slide in indices, market turnover rose, with equity turnover increasing by 4.8% to USD 6.5 million. Local investors remained the dominant participants, accounting for 84.2% of total trades, a notable rise from 68.7% recorded the previous day.

Kenya Power emerged as the most actively traded counter, contributing 23.7% of the day’s turnover. Its share price held steady at KES 12.00, driven largely by heightened local investor activity.

Among the banking stocks that were major movers, Co-operative Bank declined by 1.9% to KES 22.80, Equity Group shed 1.2% to close at KES 61.00, while KCB Group slipped 0.9% to KES 56.25. In contrast, EABL was the day’s standout performer, rising 2.2% to KES 225.00. Safaricom, however, retreated by 1.9% to KES 28.90, weighed down partly by foreign investors selling.

Uchumi registered the strongest gain during the session, jumping 9.6% to KES 1.60. On the flip side, KenGen was the biggest loser, dropping 9.5% to KES 8.72. The decline followed the previous day’s closure of its books for a KES 0.90 dividend.

Foreign investor sentiment shifted to the positive, with net inflows amounting to USD 782.8k. Safaricom led foreign outflows, while Equity Group attracted the highest foreign buying interest.

Market participants now await the Central Bank of Kenya’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) interest rate decision, scheduled for 9th December 2025, which could set the tone for short-term market direction.

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