The equities market at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) recorded an upward performance during the trading session of Wednesday 6th May 2026, which was supported by gains in select large-cap stocks and a significant increase in market activity. The Nairobi All Share Index (NASI) closed at 204.18, reflecting a 0.3 percent improvement from the previous session. Trading activity surged significantly during the session, with the total equity turnover rising sharply by 357.6 percent to KES 1,381.84 million, compared to KES 301.97 million recorded in the previous session. Market capitalization also experienced a marginal increase of 0.3 percent to KES 3,386.18 billion.
On the performance front, the session’s top gainers included Sanlam Kenya, which rose by 4.5 percent to close at KES 8.80, Crown Paints rose with a 4.3 percent gain to KES 61.00, and Jubilee Holdings, which advanced by 4.2 percent to KES 382.25. Other notable gainers were Centum Investment Company, up 4.1 percent to KES 14.10, and Sasini, which gained 3.8 percent to close at KES 27.10.
Conversely, the list of top losers was led by Kakuzi Plc, which declined by 4.8 percent to close at KES 400.50. Sameer Africa followed with a 3.0 percent drop to KES 16.20, while Total Kenya and Limuru Tea each recorded declines of 1.8 percent, closing at KES 46.60 and KES 501.00 respectively. Unga Group also posted a loss of 1.7 percent to close at KES 26.60.
NSE Indices Performance
Performance across the broader indices was generally positive, reflecting the modest gains recorded in the market. The NSE-10 Index edged up by 0.1 percent to close at 2,109.54, while the NSE-20 Index rose by 0.7 percent to 3,511.35, indicating stronger performance among selected blue-chip and mid-tier stocks. Similarly, the NSE-25 Index advanced by 0.3 percent to 5,608.71, underscoring a broad-based improvement across the market. The Banking Sector Index also registered a gain of 0.4 percent to close at 231.78.
Additionally, the market momentum was largely driven by gains in key blue-chip stocks, including Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, Diamond Trust Bank, Safaricom, and Kenya Pipeline Company, which recorded gains of 2.6 percent, 1.0 percent, 0.5 percent, and 0.2 percent respectively. These gains provided crucial support to the overall market performance. However, the upward trajectory was partially offset by declines in other large-cap stocks such as East African Breweries, KCB Group, British American Tobacco Kenya, and Stanbic Holdings, which registered losses of 1.1 percent, 0.7 percent, 0.3 percent, and 0.1 percent respectively, thereby moderating overall market gains.
In terms of market activity by counters, Equity Group Holdings emerged as the most actively traded stock, recording a turnover of KES 522.44 million. Safaricom followed as the second most traded counter, with a turnover of KES 340.71 million,
