Investment firm, Lofty-Corban, has unveiled a digital platform for investment groups, popularly known as chamas. Known as the Lofty-Corban Chama Investment Solution, it was created to address persistent administrative complexity and transparency challenges facing the more than 300,000 chamas countrywide.
The platform enables chamas to invest collectively while maintaining individual member sub-accounts. Each contribution is precisely tracked by amount and date, ensuring accurate allocation of returns and eliminating the ambiguity and disputes that often slow group progress.
By combining structure with visibility, the platform advances both equity and accountability. Members and group officials benefit from real-time access to balances and earnings, significantly reducing administrative burden while strengthening trust through timely, reliable data.
“This structure brings clarity and confidence to group investing,” said Stanley Mutuku, CEO of Lofty-Corban, speaking at the firm’s 2nd Annual General Meeting of unit holders. “It empowers chamas to grow with discipline, transparency, and purpose.”
> Understanding Lofty Corban Money Market Fund in Kenya
Chamas have evolved beyond informal savings circles into a formidable force in Kenya’s financial ecosystem. These Chamas are managing billions of shillings, reflecting a clear shift from idle bank deposits toward regulated, yield-generating instruments such as Money Market Funds.
This evolution reflects a broader investor mindset that prioritizes capital preservation, liquidity, and the power of compounding. Increasingly, Chamas are transitioning into sophisticated investment entities with exposure to government securities, private debt, and real estate opportunities.
The launch of the Chama Investment Solution builds on Lofty-Corban’s strong growth trajectory. By the close of 2025, the firm’s Unit Trust Scheme demonstrated robust performance across its flagship funds, underscoring the value of diversified portfolio positioning across market cycles.
The Kenya Shilling Money Market Fund continued to anchor the portfolio with stable, liquidity-focused returns of 11.52% (2023), 16.03% (2024), and 12.51% (2025). For investors seeking currency diversification, the USD Money Market Fund delivered consistent returns of 4.78%, 6.09%, and 5.26% over the same period.
Long-term investing discipline proved particularly rewarding in the Equity Fund, where returns surged from 3.54% in 2023 to 52.95% in 2025. Meanwhile, the KES Fixed Income Bond Fund capitalized on interest rate cycles, achieving 26.89% in 2024 before moderating to 20.76% in 2025.
Lofty-Corban’s retirement solutions also demonstrated strong performance. The Umbrella Pension Fund recorded a return of 26.84% in 2025, while the Ustawi Personal Pension Plan delivered a return of 22.29%, reinforcing the value of early and consistent long-term planning.
In 2025, the firm generated substantial income across its funds, all of which was fully distributed or credited to its growing base of over 14,000 investors. “Wealth is built by discipline, not by chance,” Mr. Mutuku added. “When clients entrust us with their money, they entrust us with their life’s work. We honour that responsibility through professionalism, ownership, and agility.”
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