Trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) closed on a subdued note on 2 March 2026, with key indicators reflecting slow market activity. The Nairobi All Share Index (NASI) went down by 0.3 per cent to close at 215.36 points, compared to 216.08 points in the previous session. Similarly, total market capitalization declined by 0.3 per cent to KES 3,398.61 billion, underscoring the marginal pullback in overall equity valuations.
Equity turnover contracted significantly during the session, projecting a decline of 18.0 per cent to KES 910.75 million from KES 1,111.31 million recorded previously. The decline in trading activity points to cautious investor participation.
Among the top gainers of the session was Home Afrika, which rose by 10.0 per cent to close at KES 1.76. BK Group Plc gained 6.4 per cent to KES 48.00, while Flame Tree Group advanced 6.0 per cent to KES 3.00. ABSA New Gold ETF appreciated by 5.2 per cent to KES 6,555.00, matching the 5.2 per cent gain recorded by Unga Group, which closed at KES 32.55.
On the losing end, Uchumi Supermarkets led the losers with a 7.5 per cent drop to KES 2.71. Eveready East Africa fell by 6.2 per cent to KES 1.06, while Kenya Airways declined 6.1 per cent to KES 5.26. Eaagads Plc and KCB Group also featured among the top losers, shedding 4.2 per cent and 3.1 per cent to close at KES 28.85 and KES 77.75, respectively.
NSE Indices Performance
Performance across the benchmark indices was mixed. While NASI registered a decline, the NSE-10 Index gained 0.1 per cent to 2,271.75 and the NSE-20 Index advanced by 0.2 per cent to 3,758.73. In contrast, the NSE-25 Index remained largely flat, slipping marginally by 0.0 per cent to 5,948.05. The Banking Sector Index declined by 0.5 per cent to 244.74, weighed down by losses in select large-cap banking counters.
The day’s losses were primarily driven by declines in heavyweight stocks, notably KCB Group, I&M Group, Kenya Power and Lighting Company and Safaricom, which fell by 3.1 per cent, 2.8 per cent, 1.1 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively. The decline in these large-cap counters exerted downward pressure on the broader market.
Conversely, gains in selected stocks provided partial support. The Co-operative Bank of Kenya rose by 4.6 per cent, while Jubilee Holdings gained 1.5 per cent. British American Tobacco Kenya and Stanbic Holdings advanced by 0.5 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively, cushioning the broader market decline.
In terms of trading activity, Equity Group Holdings emerged as the most actively traded counter, posting an aggregate turnover of KES 421.71 million. I&M Group followed as the second most traded stock with 2.7 million shares traded, closing at KES 51.00 per share.
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