The NASI closed at 244.72, down 1.14%, with the NSE 20-Share and NSE 25-Share indices also lower. Breadth was split, 24 gainers against 26 decliners of 55 counters traded. Turnover fell to KES 752.9 million, 46.7% below the 15-session average, on 13,208 trades. Construction and Allied led sector losses, down 4.12%, followed by Exchange Traded Funds at -3.71%, while Investment gained 4.06%. Among individual counters, Bamburi Cement (BKG) fell 5.31% and Kenya Ports Authority-linked Portland (PORT) dropped 4.38%. Foreign investors were net sellers at KES -15.9 million, 42.0% of turnover, with EABL seeing the heaviest foreign selling at KES -129.7 million against buying in Equity Group (EQTY) of KES 135.4 million.

Kenya Ports Authority faces a Sh195 million exposure after court filings revealed five contracted Kalmar container handlers were allegedly diverted and sold to a Tanzanian port, a matter relevant to Portland (PORT) given the KPA link. CBK Governor Kamau Thugge said private sector credit growth improved to 10.4% in August 2026 with average lending rates falling to 14.3%, while the regulator's annual report showed digital lender loans nearly doubled to Sh110.1 billion in 2025. Standard Chartered Bank (SCBK) has been given 14 days to respond to a Sh1.8 billion claim from a former director.