Best Money Market Funds in Kenya (2026)

🏦 Kenyan Money Market Funds (MMFs) 2026 — Rates, Liquidity, and How Fast You Can Access Your Money

Many Kenyans ask: “If I invest in a money market fund, how much can I earn — and can I get my money back quickly if needed?”

Whether you are a salaried teacher, a boda boda rider, or a chama member, understanding MMFs in 2026 is crucial. With inflation rising and banks offering low returns, MMFs remain a safe and liquid way to grow your savings.

In my experience, confusion around instant access vs. standard withdrawal days is the main reason some savers avoid MMFs. Let’s break it down in simple Kenyan terms.

📌 What Are Money Market Funds?

Money Market Funds (MMFs) are CMA-regulated pooled investment funds that invest in low-risk, short-term securities like Treasury bills and corporate papers. They are safer than stocks, and typically yield more than standard savings accounts.

• Emergency fund access: cash available within minutes or a few days.
• Short-term savings: for school fees, chama contributions, or planned expenses.
• Yield optimization: earn more than bank interest without locking your money long-term.

Example: If a teacher invests KES 5,000 per month in Cytonn MMF, they can earn ~15–16% annually while still accessing cash within minutes for urgent needs.

🕐 Understanding MMF Liquidity in Kenya

1️⃣ Standard Redemption MMFs

• Examples: Sanlam, Kuza, CIC
• Yield: ~10–14% p.a.
• Withdrawal: 1–3 business days
• Use-case: Perfect for planned expenses like school fees or rent.

2️⃣ Ultra-Liquid MMFs

• Examples: Cytonn, Etica
• Yield: ~14–16% p.a.
• Withdrawal:
• Cytonn: Instant ≤ KES 150,000 (~3 min); > KES 150,000 → 2–4 business days
• Etica: Instant ≤ KES 250,000; larger → ~2 business days
• Use-case: Emergency cash for bills, transport, or medical needs.

3️⃣ Locked / Voluntary Portions

• Examples: Ziidi
• Withdrawal: ~72 hours after voluntary unlock
• Use-case: Enforces saving discipline for chama members or regular savers.

📊 2026 MMF Rates & Withdrawal Days — Kenyan Context

MMF Name	Approx. Annual Yield	Withdrawal / Liquidity	Notes
Cytonn MMF	15.5–16.2%	Instant ≤ KES 150k (~3 min); >KES 150k → 2–4 business days	Digital payouts via M-Pesa/PayBill source
Etica MMF	14–15%	Instant ≤ KES 250k; larger ~2 business days	Mobile-friendly, low minimum source
GulfCap MMF	14–16%	1–3 business days	Standard redemption
Kuza MMF	14–15%	1–3 business days	Mid-range yields
Lofty Corban MMF	14–15%	1–3 business days	Consistent performer
ArvoCap MMF	12–14%	1–3 business days	Good net returns
Ndovu MMF	15–15.5%	1–3 business days	Rising performer
Mali MMF	15–15.2%	1–3 business days	Competitive return option
Sanlam MMF	12–14%	1–3 business days	Large, stable fund
Old Mutual MMF	12–13%	1–3 business days	Reputable long-term choice
Britam MMF	12–13%	1–3 business days	Mid-tier fund
ICEA Lion MMF	11–12%	1–3 business days	Small saver friendly
ABSA Shilling MMF	11–12%	1–3 business days	Mainstream option
Co-op MMF	11–12%	1–3 business days	Institutional strength
KCB MMF	11–12%	1–3 business days	Major bank fund
Jubilee MMF	12–13%	1–3 business days	Growing fund
Madison MMF	12–13%	1–3 business days	Small–mid fund
Nabo MMF	11–12%	1–3 business days	Centum group fund
Ziidi MMF	7–9%	1–3 business days; voluntary lock ~72 hrs	Mobile-first, lock option
Faulu MMF	11–12%	1–3 business days	Small-fund option
Apollo MMF	11–12%	1–3 business days	Lower market share
Stanbic MMF	9–11%	1–3 business days	Smaller assets

💡 Kenyan Scenarios — Practical Examples

• Boda boda rider: Needs KES 50,000 for repairs → withdraws from Cytonn MMF → cash in ~3 minutes via M-Pesa.
• Teacher saving for school fees (KES 150,000): Uses Sanlam MMF, cash arrives in 2 business days → planned withdrawal works.
• Chama voluntary lock: KES 200,000 in Ziidi, 72-hour lock → prevents impulse withdrawals.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

• Which MMF allows instant withdrawals in Kenya? Cytonn MMF allows instant withdrawals up to KES 150,000 and Etica MMF up to KES 250,000. Larger amounts follow standard processing times.
• How long does it take to withdraw from standard MMFs? Most standard redemption MMFs such as Sanlam, Kuza, and CIC take 1–3 business days.
• Are MMFs safe in Kenya? Yes. CMA regulates all MMFs, and they invest in low-risk short-term securities. However, yields vary and are not guaranteed.
• Do I pay tax on MMF earnings? Yes. A 15% withholding tax applies to interest earned from MMFs in Kenya.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Ultra-liquid funds (Cytonn, Etica) → instant small withdrawals for emergencies.
• Standard MMFs → 1–3 business days, good for planned expenses.
• Voluntary locks → 72 hours after unlock, enforce saving discipline.
• Always check fees, taxes, and fund limits before investing.

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TL;DR

• Cytonn ≤ KES 150k → instant; > KES 150k → 2–4 days
• Etica ≤ KES 250k → instant; > KES 250k → ~2 days
• Others → 1–3 business days
• Voluntary locks → 72 hours after unlock
• Yields: 7–16% depending on fund
• Practical tip: Match fund to cash flow needs — don’t chase yield alone.

Author: Postine Ngeli — Kenyan finance writer & blogger guiding beginners, salaried workers, small traders, and chama members.

Disclaimer: Educational content only. Verify fund-specific details via CMA or fund managers before investing.