The NASI fell 1.14% to 244.72 and the NSE 20 dropped 0.59% to 4,341.24, though breadth stayed positive with 40 counters advancing against 12 declining. Banking was the standout sector, up 5.31% with all 12 counters trading higher, alongside Automobiles and Accessories (+9.95%, led by CGEN's 9.95% gain) and Energy and Petroleum (+3.23%). Turnover was thin at KES 1.02bn, 35.3% below the 11-session average, with KCB, Safaricom (SCOM) and KPLC the most active by value. Foreign investors were net buyers at KES 3.55mn, with SCOM drawing the largest inflow while KenGen (KEGN) saw the heaviest foreign selling.

Communications Authority data released today show Safaricom (SCOM) extended its lead in fixed internet, adding 289,201 subscribers to reach 1.02mn and a 36.1% market share, while Starlink's share rose to just 1%. Mobile operators including SCOM added 3,672 jobs in the year to June as they invest in AI and 5G, with SCOM's 5G sites more than doubling to 1,700. Separately, two suspects were arrested over vandalism of Kenya Power's (KPLC) Naivasha-Juja transmission line, an issue that has driven repair costs and outages.