Key takeaway: ICEA LION’s Money Market Fund (DigiTrust) is a CMA-regulated unit trust you can start from about KSh 500. Recent independent rankings put its gross effective annual yield around the mid-to-high 7% band (for example about 7.8% in mid-September 2026 tables), below the industry average near 9%. Interest is typically calculated daily and applied monthly; 15% withholding tax applies.
The ICEA LION Money Market Fund pools investors’ cash into short-term instruments such as Treasury bills, fixed deposits and other short-term fixed-income assets. It is aimed at capital preservation and liquidity, not stock-market growth.
It is managed by ICEA LION Asset Management and regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). The digital front door is the DigiTrust portal, also promoted on the official ICEA LION Money Market Fund page.
ICEA LION MMF at a Glance
Mobile: Swipe left / right to see all columns → ←
| Item | Details (confirm live) |
|---|---|
| Fund type | Money market / unit trust (DigiTrust) |
| Manager | ICEA LION Asset Management |
| Regulator | Capital Markets Authority (CMA) |
| Recent yield (independent tables) | About 7.6%–8.1% gross EAR in 2026 rankings; ~7.8% in mid-September 2026 industry prints (~6.6% after 15% WHT on a 7.8% gross) |
| Industry context | Below recent field average (~9.0%–9.3%) |
| Minimum initial | KSh 500 (official ICEA LION page) |
| Top-ups | Flexible; no fixed minimum often cited |
| Management fee | About 2% p.a. (commonly cited on factsheet-style materials) |
| Withholding tax | 15% on interest for residents |
| Interest | Typically calculated daily, credited/ compounded monthly |
| Risk profile | Low (money market) |
← Swipe table left and right on mobile →
Current Rates and What They Mean
ICEA LION does not fix a permanent rate. Yield moves with short-term market rates (T-bills, deposits and related instruments).
Independent industry tables in 2026 have often placed ICEA LION MMF in the mid-to-high 7% gross effective annual range:
- About 7.8% in mid-September 2026 rankings (for example 18 September-style Business Daily–linked tables)
- About 7.8% gross / ~6.6% net after 15% WHT in early September prints
- About 8.1% in a late-July 2026 Cytonn-style table; about 7.6% in June 2026 snapshots
Your draft range of roughly 6.7%–8.3% “net of management fees” can overlap how some materials describe fee-adjusted performance, but public ranking tables usually quote gross EAR (after fees, before tax). After 15% WHT, take-home is lower. Always confirm the live figure on DigiTrust or the latest factsheet.
Past or indicative yields do not guarantee future returns. ICEA LION’s rate has recently sat below the industry average near 9%, so convenience and the KSh 500 entry point matter as much as headline yield when you compare peers.
Key Features
- Low entry: From KSh 500 on ICEA LION’s own product page
- Flexible top-ups: Add funds when you can via mobile money or bank transfer
- Digital goals: DigiTrust lets you track more than one short-term goal (emergency, fees, travel) on one dashboard
- No classic fixed-deposit lock-in: Designed for accessible savings; still follow cut-off and processing rules
- Liquidity: ICEA materials have described smaller mobile withdrawals (for example under KSh 10,000) as relatively fast, with larger amounts often taking longer via bank channels. Confirm current timelines in the portal
Typical unit-trust service providers cited in ICEA LION MMF materials include a bank custodian and trustee (commonly Standard Chartered as custodian and KCB as trustee in older factsheet summaries). Verify names on the current factsheet.
Fees and Tax
- Management fee: Often about 2% per year, applied in the fund’s pricing (read whether a published yield is already after fees)
- Withholding tax: 15% on interest for residents, usually deducted before you see net income
- Withdrawal penalties: ICEA LION markets the MMF without fixed-deposit-style early-exit penalties; normal processing rules still apply
Who It Suits
- Beginners who want a regulated MMF from KSh 500
- People who prefer DigiTrust goal buckets for school fees or emergency cash
- Investors who value brand familiarity over chasing the weekly top yield
If maximising rate is the only goal, compare ICEA LION with higher-yielding CMA funds in the same week’s table.
How to Invest
Documents
- National ID or passport
- KRA PIN certificate
- Soft copies for digital onboarding; some processes may still ask for a photo or bank proof
Register on DigiTrust
- Open the official ICEA LION DigiTrust portal (or start from icealion.co.ke/money-market-fund).
- Enter name, ID, phone and email.
- Complete verification and create your investor profile.
- Select the Money Market Fund and accept terms.
USSD path *793# has been used for DigiTrust onboarding in public guides. Confirm the menu still works on your line.
Fund the account
- M-Pesa Paybill: 974200. Account number is typically your membership or ID number plus fund initials, for example MMF- followed by your number (format as shown on ICEA LION instructions). Confirm the exact account string in DigiTrust before you pay.
- Bank transfer / RTGS: Use the collection account details provided in the portal or current factsheet (historically linked to Standard Chartered collection accounts for the MMF).
Minimum first deposit: about KSh 500.
Points to Watch
- Yield has lagged top-of-table MMFs in 2026 public rankings
- Confirm Paybill account format so money does not mispost
- Redemption speed can differ for small M-Pesa exits versus large bank payouts
- Use only official ICEA LION channels; ignore WhatsApp “guaranteed return” copycats
Read also:How Money Market Funds Work in Kenya (2026 Guide)
—ICEA LION Group Contacts, Branches, Services & Head Office 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current ICEA LION MMF rate?
It changes. Recent independent tables put it around 7.6%–8.1% gross EAR, with mid-September 2026 prints near 7.8%. Check DigiTrust or the latest factsheet.
What is the minimum investment?
KSh 500 according to ICEA LION’s product page.
How do I invest in ICEA LION MMF?
Register on DigiTrust (or *793# where available), complete KYC, then fund via Paybill 974200 or bank transfer.
Is ICEA LION MMF safe?
It is a CMA-regulated money market unit trust focused on short-term instruments. Low risk is not zero risk or a fixed bank guarantee.
How is interest paid?
Typically calculated daily and credited monthly, supporting compounding if you leave units invested.
What tax applies?
Generally 15% withholding tax on interest for residents.
How fast can I withdraw?
Depends on amount and channel. ICEA materials have described faster mobile access for smaller amounts and longer bank processing for larger ones. Confirm current rules in DigiTrust.
Bottom Line
ICEA LION Money Market Fund is a practical, low-entry CMA product: KSh 500 minimum, DigiTrust digital goals, M-Pesa Paybill funding and standard money-market plumbing. Recent yields have sat in the high-7% gross area, useful for emergency or short-term savings but not the top of Kenya’s MMF league table in 2026.
Open only through official ICEA LION channels, confirm the live rate and Paybill account format, and compare a couple of peers if rate shopping matters for a large balance.
Sources
- ICEA LION – Money Market Fund (official)
- ICEA LION DigiTrust portal
- Capital Markets Authority
- MMFs Kenya – September 2026 rankings (ICEA Lion ~7.8%)
- PesaCalc – MMF ranking snapshot
- ICEA LION Group public Paybill guidance (974200; MMF account format)
Investment products carry risk. Yields are not guaranteed. This article is for information only and is not investment, tax or legal advice. Confirm rates, fees, Paybill format and withdrawal times on official ICEA LION channels before investing.