Samwel GathiaIn the recent past, there has been an increase in the uptake of investment products offered by licensed fund managers in Kenya, by Kenyans both locally and in the diaspora. This has been attributed to widespread awareness through media and more specifically social media.
A fund manager is a licensed professional whose job entails pooling clients’ funds into different investment vehicles and paying back investors from gains made.
These pooled resources are collectively referred to as Collective Investment Schemes (CIS). Under CIS, fund managers can invest in:
- Money Market Fund – Short-term instruments
- Equity Fund – Equity stocks
- Balanced Fund – Both equity and debt instruments
- Fixed Income Fund – Debt instruments
Among the best-performing schemes in Kenya is Sanlam Allianz Investments through its Sanlam Allianz Money Market Fund – both KES and USD.
About Sanlam Allianz Investments Limited (SAIL)
The company is licensed by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and is part of Sanlam Group, a leading financial services group with operations in more than 30 African countries, and is primarily listed in South Africa at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
In May 2022, Sanlam and Allianz SE announced a landmark deal to combine their operations across Africa. The joint venture, SanlamAllianz, officially launched in September 2023.
In Kenya, the consolidation was finalized when on 9 October 2025, Sanlam Kenya shareholders approved a name change to Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) Plc, formally reflecting the completed merger.
Sanlam Investments East Africa Limited (SIEAL) is now Sanlam Allianz Investments Limited (SAIL). It is licensed by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and is part of a group operating in 29 markets across Africa.
As at 31 December 2025, SAIL managed over KES 740 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) across institutional and unit trust portfolios
An Overview of the Sanlam Allianz Money Market Fund
The Sanlam Allianz Money Market Fund is a conservative investment product that aims to provide capital preservation while offering high levels of income. Funds are invested in short-term cash equivalent securities such as Treasury bills & bonds, high-quality corporate bonds, and bank deposits.
Quick Facts: September 2026 Fact Sheet
Feature | Latest Official Data |
|---|---|
Portfolio Size | KES 103 Billion |
Minimum Investment | KES 2,500 |
Risk Profile | Conservative |
Benchmark | 91-day T-bill |
Inception | 18th November 2014 |
Annual Management Fee | 2.0% |
Expense Ratio | 2.3% |
Effective Annual Yield | 9.00% |
Income Distribution | Monthly |
Source: Official Fact Sheet – 30th September 2025
Requirements to Open a Sanlam Allianz Money Market Fund Account
1.For Individuals:
- Copy of National ID / Alien ID for foreigners
- KRA PIN Certificate
- Proof of Bank Account (ATM card or bank statement)
- Minimum KES 2,500
2. For Institutions and Corporates:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Corporate KRA PIN
- CR 12 for Companies
- ID and KRA PINs for the Directors
- Proof of Bank Account
- Minutes or Resolution Authorising the Set-Up
- Minimum Amount Payment
You can sign up for the Sanlam MMF account online via the following link for individuals.
For joint account holders such as groups, Chamas and institutions, get in touch with our team, an independent financial advisor working in partnership with Sanlam to offer competitive alternative investment products.
FAQs on Sanlam Allianz Money market Fund
What is the minimum amount to start investing?
You can start with as little as KES 2,500 for the KES Money Market Fund and USD 2,500 for the USD fund. You can top up with any amount after that.
What charges are involved?
You pay an annual management fee of 2.0%, and the total expense ratio is 2.3%. The good news is you don’t pay this separately – it’s already deducted before they show you the yield. The 9.00% yield is net of fees.
How much tax will I be charged?
You will be charged a 15% withholding tax on the interest you earn. This is deducted automatically before your interest is paid. If you are tax-exempt, just provide your KRA exemption certificate.
How many times can I withdraw in a month?
You can withdraw as many times as you want. You get one FREE withdrawal every month. Any extra withdrawals in the same month will cost you KES 500 or USD 5.
What is the minimum I can withdraw?
You can withdraw a minimum of KES 1,000 from the KES fund and USD 500 from the USD fund.
Is my money safe with Sanlam Allianz?
Yes. Sanlam Allianz is licensed by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) in Kenya. Your money is held by a separate custodian (Stanbic / Standard Chartered Bank) and trustee, not by Sanlam directly. As of December 2025, they manage over KES 740 billion. However, like all investments, returns are not guaranteed.
What do I need to open an account?
As an individual, you only need 3 things: Your National ID, your KRA PIN, and proof of your bank account (ATM card or bank statement).
How do I join Sanlam Allianz Money market Fund?
You can join 100% online. No paperwork. Just visit the official portal here , upload your documents, or WhatsApp our team to get assistance
Samwel Mwangi Gathia is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Secretary (CS), an MBA graduate, and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM). He is the Lead Consultant at Anziano Consultants.
A practising accountant and business consultant based in Nairobi, Kenya, Samwel brings extensive expertise in accounting, taxation, investment, insurance, corporate governance, and human resource management. He holds an MBA (Corporate Management) from KCA University, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nairobi and a Certificate of Proficiency in Insurance (COP) from the College of Insurance.
As a seasoned trainer and consultant, he is passionate about financial literacy, corporate compliance, strategic management, and FinTech-driven digital transformation. Through his articles, he simplifies complex finance and governance topics to help individuals and businesses make smarter financial and business decisions.
Credentials: MBA |BA | CPA | CS | ICPAK | IHRM | COP (Insurance)
