The NASI closed at 244.72, down 1.14%, with the NSE 20 and NSE 25 also lower. Breadth was positive at 30 advancers against 21 decliners across 56 counters, but turnover of KES 512.7mn ran 22.1% below the 20-session average. Construction and Allied led sector gains at +1.96% and Agricultural rose 0.88%, while Commercial and Services dropped 1.32% and Investment Services fell 0.50%. Equity Group (EQTY) dominated value traded at KES 374.3mn and accounted for most of the day's foreign outflow of KES 267.0mn, within a net foreign sell position of KES 280.8mn, 34.3% of turnover. KCB (KCB) gained 2.58% to 89.50 even as foreigners sold KES 9.5mn of the stock.

Kenya's economy grew 5.1% in Q2 2026, up from 4.9% a year earlier, with Electricity and Water Supply up 7.7%, Information and Communication up 7.2%, and Financial and Insurance activities up 6.1%, even as average crude oil costs rose to $104.45 a barrel from $67.44. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing growth slowed to 3.5% from 4%. Separately, the government confirmed New KCC will retain ownership of its Sotik factory under a leasing restructuring rather than a sale to private investors.