Why Many Kenyans Don’t Really Understand T-Bills, T-Bonds & Money Market Funds — And What You Should Know in 2026
If you ask everyday investors in Kenya about Money Market Funds (MMFs), Treasury Bills (T-Bills), and Treasury Bonds (T-Bonds), you’ll often hear confusion — even among people who have been saving or investing for years.
Many assume MMFs are “just savings accounts,” or think that T-Bills and T-Bonds are only for the wealthy. The truth is different: your money does specific work in the background, and how it earns interest matters greatly for your financial goals.
This guide explains the real relationship between these products, how they make money, where your funds are deployed, and how to think about them strategically in Kenya’s 2026 financial landscape.
TL;DR — What You’ll Learn Here
- Where Kenyan MMFs actually invest your funds
- Key differences between T-Bills and T-Bonds
- Typical investment amounts and access requirements
- How MMFs generate returns
- Liquidity and lock‑in differences
- Current interest rate context in early 2026
- How to choose which product to use when
1️⃣ Where Money Market Funds Actually Invest Your Money
Unlike a normal savings account, MMFs invest primarily in:
- Government securities such as Treasury Bills and short‑term bonds
- Bank deposits and approved commercial paper
- Other short‑term liquid instruments that earn interest quickly
This makes MMFs behave like professional money‑management vehicles, not basic accounts.
👉 For a clearer explanation of how MMFs are structured and where your returns really come from, see Why Money Market Funds Are Great for Safety & Liquidity but Not Enough for Long‑Term Wealth.
2️⃣ What Are Treasury Bills (T‑Bills)?
Treasury Bills are short‑term government securities issued by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). You buy them at a discount and receive the full face value at maturity.
Example
Buy KES 100,000 91‑day T‑Bill at ~KES 92,000 and receive KES 100,000 at maturity — your earnings come from that difference.
Common T‑Bill Tenors
- 91 days (~3 months)
- 182 days (~6 months)
- 364 days (~1 year)
Key Traits
- No periodic interest (return at maturity)
- Government‑backed → very low risk
- Minimum investment usually ~KES 100,000
Yields Context (Early 2026)
T‑Bill yields fluctuated around 8–9.5% in late 2025, and these benchmarks influence MMF returns.
3️⃣ What Are Treasury Bonds (T‑Bonds)?
T‑Bonds are long‑term government securities (2+ years) that pay semi‑annual interest (coupons) and return your capital at maturity.
Key Differences vs. T‑Bills
| Feature | T‑Bills | T‑Bonds |
|---|---|---|
| Term | Short (≤1 year) | Long (2+ years) |
| Interest | No periodic interest | Semi‑annual coupons |
| Liquidity | Locked to maturity | Less liquid (secondary market) |
T‑Bonds usually offer higher yields due to their longer duration but require patience if you need your funds early.
4️⃣ How Money Market Funds Fit Into This Picture
MMFs invest in many of the same short‑term securities — especially T‑Bills, bank deposits, and commercial paper — but allow everyday investors to participate with small amounts of capital and daily compounding returns.
5️⃣ How MMFs Generate Your Returns
- Interest on T‑Bills and short‑dated government bonds
- Interest from bank deposits
- Other short‑term money market instruments
These instruments accrue interest daily and credit it monthly, providing liquidity and consistent earnings without long lock‑ins.
6️⃣ Minimum Investments & Accessibility
| Investment Type | Typical Minimum |
|---|---|
| T‑Bills | ~KES 100,000 |
| T‑Bonds | ~KES 50,000 |
| MMFs | Often KES 100–5,000 |
MMFs make professional money‑market investing accessible even with modest savings.}
7️⃣ Lock‑In Periods — What You Need to Know
- T‑Bills: Locked until maturity unless sold early
- T‑Bonds: Longer commitments with coupon payments
- MMFs: Usually withdrawable within a few business days
High liquidity is why many use MMFs for emergency and short‑term cash needs.
8️⃣ Interest Rates as at February 2026
While exact rates vary, current trends show MMFs continuing to offer yields influenced by underlying T‑Bill rates — often slightly outperforming direct T‑Bill returns due to reinvestment strategies}
9️⃣ MMFs vs T‑Bills & T‑Bonds — Quick Comparison
| Feature | T‑Bills | T‑Bonds | MMFs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment | High | Medium | Low |
| Liquidity | Low | Low | Very High |
| Interest Type | Discount | Coupon | Daily Compounding |
| Risk | Very Low | Low | Low |
| Accessibility | Moderate | Moderate | Easy |
When You Should Consider Each Option
- MMFs – Emergency cash, daily liquidity, short‑term parking
- T‑Bills – Lump sums, fixed maturity returns
- T‑Bonds – Longer income streams with coupons
Related Reading
- Why Money Market Funds Are Great for Safety & Liquidity but Not Enough for Long‑Term Wealth
- Shares vs Money Market Funds in Kenya: What Should Come First?
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About the Author
Postine Ngeli is the founder and lead writer at Money Market Hub Kenya — a practical investment education blog for everyday Kenyan savers and investors. His work focuses on simplifying money market products, Treasury securities, share investing basics, and building financial literacy using local examples and regulation‑based facts
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Market conditions change and investment outcomes vary based on personal circumstances. Conduct your own research before making investment decisions.
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