Alternatively, for brokers to trade they would have to have "sponsored membership" in a local market where they want to buy stocks.

The Japanese yen traded at 103.97 per dollar after strengthening from levels above 104.4 against the greenback last week. The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7379, having risen from levels below $0.732 in the previous week.

The service will allow customers to send money to bank accounts and mobile wallets in 15 countries, including neighboring Uganda, the United Kingdom, India, China and Germany.

Family Bank also signed a partnership with Performeter Agribusiness Limited setting aside Sh1 billion to fund fodder production for dairy farmers in cooperatives. 

KCB Group Plc was however up with investors reacting to news of acquisitions in Rwanda and Tanzania. The share price rose 2.62% to Kes.37.15, with 10 million shares valued at Kes.375 million transacted.