Interest Rates and Foreign Investor Activity in Kenya: Evidence from Nairobi Securities Exchange

Abstract

Interest rates play a key role in attracting foreign investor activity in the country. This study investigated the effect of interest rates on foreign investor activity at Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya. Monthly data was collected from Nairobi Securities Exchange, Central Bank of Kenya and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Time series data for eleven year period spanning from January 2009 to December 2019 was used.  The multiple regression model results disclosed that interest rates as measured by lending rate had a positive and statistically significant effect on foreign investor. Inflation rate results had a negatively but statistically significant effect on foreign investor. The results for exchange rate had a negative but statistically insignificant effect on foreign investor activity. The deposit rate results indicated a negative and statistically significant effect on foreign investor activity implying that commercial banks deposit rate has an effect on foreign investor activity. The results for 91-day treasury bills specified a positive and non-statistically insignificant relationship with foreign investor activity pointing that for 91- day treasury bills do not affect the foreign investor activity at Nairobi securities exchange in Kenya.