REITs Association of Kenya Forges Strategic Partnership with Strathmore University

The REITs Association of Kenya (RAK) and Strathmore University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on research and allied endeavours that will promote the growth of the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in Kenya.

CMA approves Fahari I-REIT’s Ksh400M restructuring bid

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has approved a bid by ILAM Fahari Real Estate Investment Trust (I-REIT) to convert its unrestricted ILAM Fahari IFIR into a restricted I-REIT. The Ksh402 million restructuring move will allow IFIR’s Non-Professional Investors to redeem up to 36,585,134 units at a Redemption Offer Price of Ksh11 per unit.

LAPTRUST has listed the first Income-Real Estate Investment Trust (I-REIT) issued by a pension fund at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE)

The LAPTRUST Imara I-REIT has listed 346,231,413 units at KShs 20 each, valuing it at KSh6.9 billion, and will be a closed-ended fund listed on the restricted sub-segment of the main investment market segment of the NSE.

RAK Signs an MoU with the Centre for Affordable Housing (CAHF) - June 2022

The 2022 Finance Bill Supports Pension Funds Investment into REITs

The 2022 Finance Bill has proposed to widen the scope of investments where pension schemes can invest their funds.

RAK Signs an Collaborative Agreement with the University of Nairobi

The REITs Association of Kenya (RAK) has entered into a Collaborative Agreement with the University of Nairobi (UoN) to develop the knowledge repository in Real Estate.

Exemption of VAT on Transfer of Properties Into REITs - July 2021

The REITs Association of Kenya (RAK) successfully lobbied for the re-instatement of exemption of Value Added Tax (VAT) on transfer of Assets into REITs, as noted during the 2021/22 Budget statement reading. The Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury noted that REITs can be used as a financing alternative for affordable housing, including specialized facilities like student hostels.

Finance Act 2019 Supports the Development of REITS

The Finance Act 2019 was assented to by the president on November 7th 2019. The Act contains the inclusion of the amendment to section 20 of the Income Tax Act to include the exemption of REIT investee companies from income tax i.e. section 20 (1) (d). This was the final and most important tax clarification required for REITS. Please refer to section 9 of the gazetted Finance Act, 2019.

RAK Signs an MOU with US Association – NAREIT

On 24th July, 2018, the REITS Association of Kenya (RAK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit). This marks the beginning of a great partnership between the two organizations.