The No.1 FAQ on Money Market Funds in Kenya

By Nash Thuo

Find the answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Money Market Funds in Kenya.

I also address the common concerns of a beginner investing in MMFs.

Let’s get to it…

Latest Money Market Fund interest rates in Kenya

Here are the money market funds in Kenya ranked by yield:

What are Money Market Funds (MMFs) in Kenya?

Money Market Funds, also known as MMFs are a type of unit trusts in Kenya. They invest primarily in short term money market instruments and thus are considered low risk and liquid investments. However, they offer better returns than most asset classes in Kenya.

What are unit trusts in Kenya?

Unit trusts are collective investment schemes in Kenya. They pool funds collected from individuals and invest in various asset classes.

What are money market instruments in Kenya?

These are tools to borrow and lend money. However, the borrower pays the lender interest for the convenience of using their money. He also repays the amount borrowed (principal) at the end of the agreed period.

What is the best money market fund in Kenya?

Personally, CIC MMF and Sanlam MMF are the best money market funds in Kenya. Firstly, they have great customer service. Secondly, there is no hustle when withdrawing your money. In case of an emergency, you get your money within 3 days or less.

Finally, both are part of large entities which acts as a buffer for unforeseen events.

How to open a Money Market Fund account in Kenya?

You need the following documents to open a money market account in Kenya:

• Filled application form
• Copy of your passport photo
• Copy of your National ID card or Passport
• Copy of your banking details
• Copy of your KRA PIN

What is the minimum amount one can invest in a Kenyan Money Market Fund?

The minimum cash you can start with depends on the money market fund. Sanlam Money Market Fund has one of the lowest initial investment amount of Kes 2,500. CIC Money Market Fund minimum initial investment is Kes 5,000.

The minimum amount you can top up with is Kes 1,000 for both CIC MMF and Sanlam MMF.

How does a Money Market Fund work in Kenya?

Money market funds are unit trusts that pool investors’ funds and then invest in Kenyan money market instruments.

All units trusts in Kenya are required to have a CMA approved fund manager, custodian, trustee and auditor. Each of the four has a separate role in how the money market fund works.

See further insights on how Kenyan MMFs work in Chapter 3 of the CMA Handbook.

Watch the video: How does a Money Market Fund work in Kenya?

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How do Money Market Funds make money in Kenya?

Money Market Funds charge a management fee for the valuable services they give. In Kenya, most Money Market Funds charge a management fee of 2%.

Sanlam Money Market Fund has the lowest management fee of 1.2%. This is one of the reasons why I consider them one of the best money market funds in Kenya.

What are the money market rates in Kenya?

In the long term, the best performing money market funds in Kenya offer reasonable and consistent returns. That is, you expect their interest rates to compare favorably to the Treasury Bill rates.

Be careful with anyone offering higher money market rates than the 364 Day Treasury Bill. Similarly, avoid unit trusts in Kenya that offer money market rates lower than the 91 Day Treasury Bill. The latest Treasury Bill rates can be found here.

What does the Fund Manager do in a Kenyan Money Market Fund?

The Fund manager’s work is to invest the pool of funds on behalf of the MMF’s customers (unitholders). You want a licensed fund manager who has a track record of offering consistent and reasonable returns.

What does the Custodian do in a Kenyan Money Market Fund?

The Custodian’s work is to hold the assets under management on behalf of the unitholders. The custodian is typically a bank or a financial institution approved by the Kenyan CMA.

The Fund Manager doesn’t have access to your money. They can only instruct the custodian to invest your money as per the investment policy of the Fund.

What does the Trustee do in a Kenyan Money Market Fund?

The Trustee holds everyone accountable on behalf of the unitholder. They are responsible for the governance of the money market fund. They are usually a CMA approved bank or financial institution.

What does the Auditor do in a Kenyan Money Market Fund?

The Auditor’s work is to review the financial statements of the Money Market Funds and give an opinion as to whether they are true and fair.

The unitholders can then rely on the audited financials statements to assess the performance of the Money Market Funds Kenya options available to them.

Is my money safe with Money Market Funds in Kenya?

Money market funds are low risk investments and are relatively safe. This is because the best money market funds in Kenya offer to protect the amount invested.

Secondly, they are set up to safeguard your money by separating the various functions among the fund manager, custodian, trustee and auditor.

Thirdly, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) ensures all the above parties play by the book.

Finally, invest in stable money market funds sponsored by a financially strong company. This article shows you how to choose a stable Kenyan MMF to invest with.

How can I assess the financial strength of money market funds in Kenya?

Look at the financial strength of the company that owns the money market fund. Preferably, choose MMFs where the parent company is big. For example, it is owned by a multinational or a big local financial institution.

Large firms will normally take on any unforeseen losses to protect their reputation rather than passing such losses to their unitholders.

Do you have to pay taxes on money market fund Kenya accounts?

Yes. The Fund Manager will deduct 15% of the interest earned. Therefore, only 85% of the interest earned is credited to your money market fund account.

However, the 15% withholding tax is final and that income is not taxed again.

What is better between investing in Money Market Funds (MMFs) and Saccos?

When it comes to money market vs sacco, there are a number of factors to consider.

In Money Market Funds, you can access your money anytime you want. However, in a Sacco, you have to first resign as a member. Secondly, wait for the stipulated time to get your deposits. Similarly, you have to find a member willing to purchase your Sacco shares.

Further, your money is automatically COMPOUNDED every month in Money Market Funds. In contrast, Saccos in Kenya pay a weighted interest on your deposits with no automatic compounding.

Finally, MMFs are earning higher if not similar interest to Sacco deposits. For example, my Sacco pays 8.25% whereas CIC Money Market Fund is paying 9.0%.

However, Saccos are excellent for those who want quick and cheap loans. For example, my Sacco offers loans of up to 4 times the deposits at 12% reducing balance.

See below why you should use your MMF deposits as security for your Sacco loan 🙂

What is better between investing in Money Market Funds (MMFs) and buying Treasury Bills/Bonds?

Investing directly in a Treasury bill or a Treasury bond is great. This is because you bypass the intermediary and thus don’t pay management fees.

However, there are a few hurdles to overcome. Firstly, you need ready capital of *Kes 100,000 to start investing with Treasury Bills and Bonds. Further, any incremental investments are in minimums of Kes 50,000.

However, most ordinary Kenyans don’t have access to such capital. Therefore, unit trusts are appropriate as they allow the small investor with Kes 2,500 to access the bond market.

Secondly, you also lack the advantage of liquidity i.e. You have to wait until the Treasury bill or bond matures. However, with Money Market Funds your money is accessible anytime.

Finally, most people don’t have the time to go to CBK , submit their bid and participate in the auction. Therefore, they prefer to invest in unit trusts and save themselves the hustle.

In conclusion, investing directly gets you a higher return but at the price of no liquidity, time expenditure and high capital needs. If that is a price you can afford then direct investment makes sense.

*M-Akiba is helping ordinary Kenyans to invest in lower amounts. The starting capital is Kshs 3,000 with incremental investments of Kshs 500 per day.

Is to good to invest blindly in a money market fund?

No. You need to always be an INFORMED investor. Join my various forums below to keep up to date with money market funds and other asset classes in Kenya.

Further, read the ultimate guide on money market funds in Kenya.

Finally, subscribe and view the free video tutorials on how money market funds work. After that, you will become an informed investor in MMFs.

Otherwise, if you want, here is my pick of the best money market funds in Kenya and how to get started:

• Step by step guidance on how to join Sanlam Money Market Fund
• Step by step guidance on how to join CIC Money Market Fund

Does KCB have a money market fund?

No. KCB money market fund is yet to exist. Currently KCB doesn’t have a money market fund registered with the Capital Markets Authority of Kenya (CMA).

Question not answered?

If you didn’t find an answer to your question on how Money Market Funds work in Kenya:

• leave a comment with your question
• best way to formulate the question is to ask yourself how would I Google it? What specific search phrase would you use?
• For example, someone who wants to know how the interest of MMFs is calculated in Kenya would search for “How is the interest of Money Market Funds in Kenya calculated?” and so on.
• I will then update this post with your question and a detailed answer. That way the post will help other Kenyans who may have a similar query in the future.

• EXACT steps to access Hustler Fund – with screenshots for each step!
• Apply for Hustler Fund Loan via USSD

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Top Money Market Funds in Kenya

Below is a summary of the top money market funds in Kenya 2022 financial year.

1. CIC Money Market Fund

Launched in June 2011, CIC Money Market Fund is one of the most established MMFs in Kenya. It has the largest market share by holding over 41% of the total assets under management in the Kenyan market.

The minimum initial deposit to open a CIC Money Market account is Kshs 5,000.

The CIC money market fund interest rate in August 2022 is effective annual yield of 9.0%. The CIC money market fund rate today is 8.69% (Daily yield).

The average annual CIC money market fund interest rate 2021 was 9.3%.

The CIC MMF account MPESA Pay bill is 600118

2. Sanlam Money Market Fund

Launched in November 2014, Sanlam Money Market Fund is known for its excellent customer service. It has the lowest management fee in Kenya of 1.2% compared to an industry average of 2%.

You only need a minimum investment of Kshs 2,500 to get started with the Sanlam money market fund (Pesa+).

The Sanlam money market fund interest rate in August 2022 was 9.6%

The Sanlam MMF account MPESA Pay bill is 888111

3. Zimele Money Market Fund

Launched in March 2007, Zimele Money Market Fund is known for its low deposit requirements. You only need Kshs 100 to get started with the Zimele Savings plan.

The Zimele money market fund interest rate in August 2022 was 8.7%

The Zimele MMF account MPESA Pay bill is 501100

4. Britam Money Market Fund

Launched in January 2006, Britam Money Market Fund is one of the oldest MMFs in Kenya. It is the second largest in total assets under management after CIC Money Market Fund. You only need Kshs 1,000 to open a Britam money market account.

The Britam money market fund interest rate in August 2022 was 7.3%

The Britam MMF account MPESA Pay bill is 500005

5. NCBA Money market Fund

Launched in April 2006, NCBA Money Market Fund is the third largest MMF in total assets under management in the Kenyan market. The minimum amount to get started is Kshs 5,000.

The CBA money market fund interest rate in August 2022 was 9.0%

6. Cytonn Money Market Fund

The Cytonn Money Market Fund is known for having one of the highest yields for MMFs in Kenya. The minimum investment is Ksh 100 with no minimum top up amount.

The Cytonn money market fund interest rate in August 2022 was 10.6%

The Cytonn MMF account MPESA Pay bill is 775093

ICEA Money Market Fund

The ICEA Money Market Fund is best known for its DigiTrust offering.

The ICEA money market fund interest rate in August 2022 was 8.7%

The ICEA MMF account MPESA Pay bill is 974200

Learn about the New MPESA charges for sending or receiving money via phone, ATM or MPESA agent.

The guide includes a curated list of transactions that are FREE via MPESA!

You can find more tips including the free Money Market Fund Bot in one of the best Kenyan Telegram Channels on Personal Finance.

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Hope you found this article helpful and got some valuable insights.

Other Valuable Guides

Here are links to other valuable content on this blog:

• Rule of 72: Expertly Know When Your Money Doubles in Value
• Here is the link to the Free Personal Finance Lessons for Kenyans. The first 10 free lessons are ready for your learning!
• Below are some short and sweet personal finance and investing lessons. Watch. Learn. Enjoy. Share.

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