The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has announced the launch of a new online financial reporting system for all licensed market intermediaries in the country.
In a statement on Monday, January 12, CMA's CEO Wyckliffe Shamiah said that the new system can be available through the authority's online portal, and came into effect on January 9, 2026.
In Kenya, market intermediaries refer to licensed firms or institutions that bridge the gap between investors, issuers, and the wider capital markets. They facilitate participation in financial activities such as trading in shares, bonds, and foreign exchange by providing services that support buying, selling, advising, and managing investments.
These entities include forex brokers, stockbrokers, dealers, investment banks, fund managers, investment advisers, authorised depositaries, REIT managers, and corporate trustees, among others, all of whom are regulated by the CMA.
The system, which was engineered to replace the current system, will enable licensed market intermediaries to prepare and submit Risk-Based Capital Adequacy (RBCA) and corresponding management accounting accounts.
Furthermore, they will use the new system to submit a full set of financial statements, which are usually submitted three months following the end of a financial year.
"The purpose of this circular is to guide the rollout of the new reporting system, which replaces the current online submission portal effective January 9, 2026, This system is available through the link https:// onlineservices.cma.or.ke/" Shamiah said.
"You are therefore advised to make your submission of RBCA returns and related financial statements through the new system within the prescribed timelines. Kindly ensure compliance and do hesitate to contact the Authority in case you require further clarification," he added.
CMA assured that the new system will be fundamental in ensuring compliance among the licensed market intermediaries.
The changes were made in line with the Capital Markets (Licensing Requirements) (General) Regulations, 2002, the Guidelines on Financial Resource Requirements for Market Intermediaries, and the Capital Markets (Online Foreign Exchange Trading) Regulations 2017.
The announcement comes two months after the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) urged the government to consider adopting a tokenised or blockchain approach in Money Market Fund (MMF) schemes.
In its Capital Markets Soundness Report (CSMR), released in early November 2025, CMA noted that Kenya should emulate China, which became the first nation globally to launch the world’s first tokenised money market fund, denominated in yuan, the local currency.
The system combines traditional fund management with the transparency and flexibility of blockchain technology.
Unlike traditional money market funds that depend on centralised record-keeping systems, this fund operates through digital tokens that represent ownership. These tokens are recorded on a public blockchain, allowing transactions and holdings to be monitored in real time.
