Real Estate Investment Trusts

A key goal for capital markets under The Kenya Vision 2030 and by extension the Capital Markets Master Plan is raising the level of savings and investment domestically. The strategy is to deepen capital markets by raising institutional capital through pension reforms and introduction of highly suitable and facilitative products. Deepening the capital markets entails providing a diversity of products in the capital markets to meet investors' specific needs. The prudential approach in terms of market development by introducing new capital markets products that would entice investors to participate in savings and investments go a long way in achieving this key capital market goal. REITs present a suitable investment product geared towards facilitating investment and participation in the property sector in Kenya. This research paper, therefore, seeks to explicate the origin, history, structure, and operational framework of REITs both locally and in other jurisdictions with the intent to use the findings as a basis for policy recommendations and proposed amendments geared towards facilitating the uptake of REITs in Kenya.