President William Ruto has encouraged ordinary Kenyans, including Mama Mbogas and boda boda riders, to participate in the stock market following the launch of Safaricom’s Ziidi Trader platform on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The event took place at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and marked a major milestone in making stock trading accessible through the M-PESA app.

Ruto told the crowd that the platform offers a legal and practical alternative to informal wealth creation.

“You know, you have helped me in many ways. I remember talking to citizens, especially in northern Kenya, and many other areas where we had serious challenges of stock theft,” he said.

The President warned against confusing criminal activity with investment opportunities.

“Do not confuse stock theft with stock exchange. They are very different. While you are engaged in stock theft, there are people engaged in the stock exchange trading and buying shares and creating wealth,” Ruto said.

He noted that previously, many people could not participate in the stock market due to lack of access.

“Along the way, I asked myself, how is this person going to stop stock theft and participate in the stock exchange if there are no mechanisms for him to do that? Today, I can confidently say that those people engaged in stock theft have no excuse,” he added.

“They can now participate in the stock exchange because this Ziidi Trader provides them the mechanism and the opportunity to participate.”

Ruto linked the platform to his government’s bottom-up economic agenda, explaining how it empowers everyday workers.

“From today, this is a pathway for my friends, the Mama Mbogas and the boda boda guys, to own a home. There is a pathway for them to access help. And today, they have a pathway to buy shares,” he said.

“From the comfort of their places in the market, from the comfort of sitting on their motorbike with their phone, today with the Ziidi Trader, they can buy shares, they can trade at the Nairobi Stock Exchange.”

Kenya Pipeline IPO opens to all by Friday

The President also highlighted upcoming opportunities for ordinary Kenyans to invest in national assets.

“To be that somebody in the far-flung part of our nation can buy the IPO of Kenya Pipeline. I’m informed by Dilip that by Friday, and it had better be Friday, Kenyans, from the comfort of their phones, can buy the Kenya Pipeline IPO from wherever they will be, on their phone this Friday,” Ruto said.

“Please make it happen so that we can bring on board more Kenyans to own the best of the assets that we have as a nation and to also contribute to national development.”

He emphasised the need for greater participation in the economy.

“As somebody said, many Kenyans do not become bystanders and observers; they too become part of the ecosystem of growing our economy. At the moment I am informed that we have only about 200,000 people trading” he added.

“Just imagine, in a population of close to 60 million, only 200,000 can access the markets because of the market structure. Today, I hope we open the doors for millions to now come into this space and participate, and create wealth, and own something, you know?”

Trade NSE via M-PESA

Ziidi Trader allows users to trade NSE-listed shares directly from the M-PESA app without the need for additional paperwork, separate broker accounts, or ID uploads. The platform uses existing M-PESA KYC details and the mobile money PIN to authorise transactions. Safaricom has partnered with Kestrel Capital, which acts as the sole broker for all trades.

The launch builds on Safaricom’s earlier Ziidi products, including the Ziidi Money Market Fund launched in 2025, which allows users to invest small amounts and earn daily interest. The pilot ran late last year to ensure smooth operations before opening to all M-PESA users.

Kenya has over 34 million active M-PESA accounts, many used daily for payments, transfers, and savings. Ziidi Trader now lets these users participate in the stock market without complex procedures. Safaricom officials said the platform could attract more retail investors and deepen participation in the NSE.