CMA APPROVES NEW UNIT TRUST SCHEMES AND ADDITIONAL SUB-FUNDS TO EXPAND INVESTOR CHOICE
Nairobi, 06 July 2026…… The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has approved the registration of two new umbrella unit trust schemes and additional sub-funds under four existing schemes, in exercise of the powers conferred on the Authority by section 30 of the Capital Markets Act and Regulation 15 of the Capital Markets (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations, 2023. The approvals form part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to deepen Kenya’s capital markets, enhance product innovation and expand the range of regulated savings and investment options available to Kenyan investors, from local shilling money market products to multi-currency and multi-asset special funds.
Among the approvals is the establishment of the Cinemark Unit Trust Fund, promoted by Cinemark Investment Bank Limited. The scheme is registered with seven sub-funds, namely the Cinemark KES Money Market Fund, the Cinemark KES Fixed Income Fund, the Cinemark USD Fixed Income Fund, the Cinemark USD Special Fixed Income Fund, the Cinemark KES Special Fixed Income Fund, the Cinemark KES Multi-Asset Special Fund and the Cinemark USD Multi-Asset Special Fund.
The Authority has also approved the establishment of the Karsis Unit Trust Scheme, promoted by Karsis Asset Managers Limited. The scheme is registered with twelve sub-funds spanning money market, fixed income, multi-asset special fund and private-debt special fund strategies, offered across Kenya Shilling, US Dollar, Euro and Sterling denominations, providing investors with a broad multi-currency choice under a single umbrella structure.
In further expanding investor choice under existing schemes, the Authority has granted approval to Absa Asset Management Limited to register the Absa Global Multi-Asset Special Fund (USD) and the Absa Global Multi-Asset Special Fund (KES) as additional sub-funds under the existing Absa Unit Trust Funds.
The Authority has also approved Dry Associates Investment Bank Limited to register the Dry Associates Euro Special Fixed Income Fund and the Dry Associates Sterling Special Fixed Income Fund as additional sub-funds under the existing Dry Associates Unit Trust, expanding the scheme’s multi-currency offering.
Further, the Authority has approved Madison Investment Managers Limited to register the Madison USD Fixed Income Special Fund as an additional sub-fund under the existing Madison Unit Trust Scheme.
Finally, the Authority has approved Tradiam Investments Services Limited to register the Tradiam Fixed Income Fund (KES) and the Tradiam Fixed Income Fund (USD) as additional sub-funds under the existing Tradiam Unit Trust Scheme.
All the approvals are subject to continued compliance with the applicable Regulations and Guidelines. The Capital Markets Authority notes that these registrations will contribute to increased market depth, improved product diversity, enhanced investor choice, and strengthened confidence in Kenya’s capital markets. Investors are reminded to familiarize themselves with the Information Memorandum and Trust Deed of any scheme before investing, to consider their personal risk appetite and investment horizon and to deal only with licensed and approved capital markets intermediaries. The list of all licensed and approved firms is published on the CMA website, www.cma.or.ke.
ENDS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE CAPITAL MARKETS AUTHORITY
The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) was set up in 1989 as a statutory agency under the Capital Markets Act Cap 485A. It is charged with the prime responsibility of both regulating and developing an orderly, fair, and efficient capital markets in Kenya with the view to promoting market integrity and investor confidence. CMA also regulates the commodity markets and online forex trading. The regulatory functions of the Authority as provided by the Act and the regulations include; Licensing and supervising all the capital market intermediaries; Ensuring compliance with the legal and regulatory framework by all market participants; Regulating public offers of securities, such as equities and bonds & the issuance of other capital market products such as collective investment schemes; Promoting market development through research on new products and services; Reviewing the legal framework to respond to market dynamics; Promoting investor education and public awareness; and Protecting investors’ interest. For more information, please contact: Antony Mwangi, Assistant Director Corporate Communications & International Affairs on amwangi@cma.or.ke
