How to Invest in Unit Trust Funds in Kenya
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To invest in a unit trust in Kenya, first verify the scheme with the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), choose a fund that fits your goals and risk tolerance, read its current documents, and open an account through the verified fund manager’s official channel.
Do not choose solely by the highest advertised daily yield. Fees, tax, investment risks, withdrawal terms and the assets held can make a substantial difference.
What is a unit trust?
A unit trust pools money from investors and invests it according to a stated objective. Investors hold units representing their interest in the fund. In Kenya these products fall within the regulated collective investment scheme framework.
A scheme may have several sub-funds with different objectives, currencies and risks. An umbrella scheme’s approval does not mean every product promoted by a similarly named company is that approved fund.
Main fund types
| Fund type | What to check |
|---|---|
| Money market | Short-term instruments, credit quality, liquidity, currency and the yield calculation. It is not a guaranteed bank deposit. |
| Fixed income or bond | Bonds and other debt holdings, maturity, credit risk and sensitivity to interest-rate changes. |
| Equity | Share-market exposure, investment region and the possibility of substantial short-term losses. |
| Balanced or multi-asset | The mix of asset classes and the manager’s permitted allocation changes. |
| Special fund | The specific strategy, eligible investors, minimum subscription and any withdrawal restrictions. Do not assume it behaves like a money market fund. |
| Foreign-currency fund | The investments and fees, plus exchange-rate risk if your future spending is in Kenya shillings. |
The exact permitted assets and redemption terms are those in the fund’s approved documents.
Examples of schemes in the CMA register
The following is a selected list rebuilt from the CMA register, not a ranking or a complete directory. Names and selected sub-funds reflect the register checked on 3 November 2026.
| Scheme | Examples of listed sub-funds |
|---|---|
| African Alliance Kenya Unit Trust Scheme | Money Market, Fixed Income, Balanced and Equity. |
| British-American Unit Trust Scheme | Britam Money Market, Income, Balanced and Equity. |
| NCBA Unit Trust Funds | Money Market in KES and USD, Fixed Income and Equity. |
| CIC Unit Trust Scheme | Money Market, Balanced, Fixed Income and Equity. |
| Madison Unit Trust Fund | Money Market, Fixed Income and Wealth. |
| Genghis Unit Trust Funds | GenCap Hela, Hazina, Eneza, Hisa and Iman. |
| Old Mutual Unit Trust Scheme | Money Market, Equity, Balanced and Bond. |
| Co-op Trust Fund | Money Market, Bond, Balanced and Equity. |
| KCB Unit Trust Scheme | Money Market in KES and USD, Fixed Income, Balanced and Equity. |
| Etica Unit Trust Funds | Money Market in KES and USD, Fixed Income and Shariah funds. |
Check the live CMA register for the exact scheme, sub-fund and official provider website. Registration is not an endorsement of performance or a guarantee against loss. A listing also does not establish that a fund is currently accepting new subscriptions.
How to open a unit trust account
- Decide what the money is for, when you expect to need it and what level of loss you can accept.
- Check both the manager’s licence and the exact scheme or sub-fund in the CMA records.
- Obtain the current information memorandum, key investor information and recent fund factsheet through the verified provider.
- Compare the minimum opening amount, top-up minimum, fees, risk disclosures, portfolio and redemption terms. Minimums and charges vary; the old figures previously shown on this page should not be used.
- Complete the provider’s onboarding and identity checks. Ask which identification, KRA PIN and payment-account documents apply to your situation.
- Confirm the official fund collection account or payment channel directly with the provider before sending money.
- Save the receipt and verify that the units or investment balance appear in your statement. Read ongoing statements and review whether the fund still fits your needs.
Comparing returns, charges and withdrawals
Ask whether a quoted yield is gross or net of management fees, whether tax is still deducted, and whether the figure is annualised. An annualised yield based on recent results is not a promise of what you will earn over a full year.
Read about management, trustee, custody, entry, exit and transaction charges where applicable. Ask for the total charges relevant to your account rather than relying on a universal 1–3% fee assumption.
Before investing, confirm how to request redemption, the dealing cut-off, settlement period and any restrictions or exceptional suspension provisions. Do not assume all funds allow instant withdrawals.
Warning: A unit trust can lose value, and regulation does not remove market, credit or liquidity risk. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. This guide is general information, not a personalised investment recommendation.
