Regulators push securities lending adoption amid low uptake

A little-known segment of the country's capital markets is now coming into focus, with regulators and industry players pushing for greater uptake of securities lending and borrowing, commonly known as SLB. The mechanism allows investors to earn extra income from shares they are not actively trading, while also supporting more efficient price discovery in the market. But despite its potential, uptake in Kenya remains low, largely due to limited awareness and operational hurdles.