The NASI closed down 1.14% at 244.72 and the NSE 20-Share Index fell 0.59% to 4,341.24, with breadth even at 24 gainers against 24 decliners of 56 counters traded. Turnover reached KES 1.03bn, 74.5% above the 20-session average, driven by heavy trade in Equity Group (EQTY) and Safaricom (SCOM), the two most active counters by value. Foreign investors were net sellers at KES -545m, 29.6% of turnover, with EQTY and SCOM the largest foreign sales. Construction and Allied and Automobiles and Accessories led sector declines, while Investment Services and Insurance gained. Jubilee Holdings (JUB) topped gainers at 405.00, up 5.06%, while Oil Company (OCH), Kakuzi (KUKZ) and Kenya Pipeline (KPC) led losers.

Nedbank Group completed its acquisition of a 66% stake in NCBA Group, paying shareholders Sh23.23bn in cash via an on-market block trade, making NCBA a Nedbank subsidiary after shareholders tendered 79.9% of the lender's shares. The World Bank raised its 2026 Kenya growth forecast to 4.6%, citing stronger first-half performance, but flagged energy costs and fiscal pressure as risks to 2027-28 growth. The CMA is weighing a KSh100,000 minimum for retail REIT investment, part of a broader push on retail participation in Kenyan markets.