The NASI closed at 244.72, down 1.14%, with breadth negative at 7 gainers against 42 decliners of 56 counters traded. Turnover was KES 3.55bn, 163.1% above the 9-session average, driven largely by EABL at Sh1.57bn as the counter led gainers, up 3.32% to 295.75. Losses were broad: Automobiles and Accessories fell 8.93%, Insurance 5.33% and Energy and Petroleum 3.56%, with AMAC, CGEN and FTGH the session's sharpest decliners. Banking dropped 2.05%, dragging the NBSI down 0.72%. Foreign investors were net sellers at KES -704.1m, 12.5% of turnover, with SCOM and EQTY the largest outflows.

The High Court nullified the government's Sh245bn sale of its 15% Safaricom (SCOM) stake to Vodacom, citing flawed public participation and misrepresentation, and ordered the stake restored. The court also found fault with KCB (KCB) Investment Bank's appointment as lead adviser on the deal. Separately, Co-op Bank (COOP) signed a Sh13bn foreign currency financing facility with the EBRD, with the first Sh6.5bn tranche already executed via a cross-currency swap referencing KESONIA. Karakuta Fresh Produce disclosed plans to list on the NSE by introduction.