Special Funds With the Highest Returns in Q1 of 2026

Special Funds are increasingly attracting Kenyan investors seeking higher returns beyond traditional options like Money Market Funds (MMFs), especially at a time when yields on low-risk instruments continue to decline.

Several Special Funds released their performance results, with most delivering returns in the range of 3% to 5% over the first three months of the year. 

Here are the top special funds and their annualised returns for Q1 2026

Also Read: Special Funds With The Highest Returns in 2025

MansaX Special Fund (KES)

It is managed by Standard Investment Bank, which posted a 4.74% return in Q1 2026. This translates to an annualised return of 18.96%. 

An investor who put in Ksh300,000 at the beginning of January would have earned approximately Ksh14,220 by the end of March.

Oak Special Fund (KES) 

This fund is managed by Faida Investment Bank and delivered a 4.72% return over the same period, equivalent to an annualised return of 18.88%. 

A similar investment of Ksh300,000 would have generated Ksh14,160 in returns.

The Arvocap Almasi Fund

The fund posted a 4.72% return in Q1, translating to the same annualised return of 18.88%. Investors in this fund would have realised similar gains of Ksh14,160 on a Ksh300,000 investment.

MansaX USD Special Fund 

This fund recorded a return of 2.88% in Q1, equivalent to an annualised return of 11.52%. An investor who committed the minimum investment of USD 2,500 (Ksh323,000) would have earned approximately USD 72 (Ksh9,288) within the quarter.

Kuza Momentum Special Fund

The fund posted a return of 2.45% in Q1 2026, translating to an annualised return of 9.8%. An investor with Ksh300,000 would have earned about Ksh7,350 over the three months.

Why Special Funds Are Gaining Popularity

Special Funds are part of Kenya’s broader collective investment schemes, where investors pool their capital and fund managers allocate it across different asset classes.

Unlike MMFs, which focus on low-risk, short-term instruments such as Treasury bills and fixed deposits, Special Funds invest in a wider range of assets, including equities, commodities, currencies, and derivatives. This broader investment scope allows fund managers to pursue higher returns.

The growing interest in Special Funds is largely driven by two key trends. First, declining Treasury bill rates have reduced MMF returns, making them less attractive for investors looking to grow their wealth faster. Secondly, strong performance in equities and alternative assets has boosted confidence in higher-risk investments.

As a result, more Kenyan investors are beginning to explore Special Funds as a way to diversify their portfolios and potentially achieve better returns.

What Investors Should Consider

While the returns may be attractive, Special Funds come with important trade-offs that investors need to understand.

One of the main considerations is the lock-in period. Most Special Funds require investors to commit their funds for a minimum period, often ranging from three to six months or longer. This means you may not have immediate access to your money when needed.

Additionally, Special Funds typically charge higher management and performance fees compared to MMFs. These fees are often deducted regardless of whether the fund makes a profit, which can impact overall returns.

Most importantly, Special Funds carry medium to high risk. Because they invest in volatile assets such as stocks and commodities, returns are not guaranteed and can fluctuate significantly depending on market conditions.

If you would like to invest in the Mansa X Special Fund, get started here.