Wealthy Kenyans plan to reinvest their bonus earnings

According to the Standard Chartered Kenya 2025 Bonus Sentiment Report, most wealthy Kenyans plan to spend their bonus earnings on replenishing their investments.

The report shows that over 70 per cent of upper-class individuals expect to receive at least two bonuses this year, with the majority planning to spend their earnings on wealth-building investments.

For the second consecutive year, investment remains the top priority for bonus use (30 per cent), surpassing spending, saving, and debt repayment.

One in two consumers plans to invest more in 2025 than in the previous year, with property and land, as well as stocks and equities, remaining the top investment priorities.

Savings come in as a close second, with plans to "save more than the previous year" remaining consistent over 2024 and 2025.

“The insights from this survey are crucial to us. By understanding how affluent Kenyans plan to allocate their bonuses, we can deliver solutions that are aligned to their aspirations,” said the Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Kenya and Africa, Joyce Kibe.

The Bonus Sentiment Report highlights intriguing shifts in investment patterns.

For instance, while saving money and buying land are often considered the first steps in building a better life, Kenyans are increasingly exploring more sophisticated avenues for investments.

“A growing number of consumers are treating their bonuses as wealth-building tools rather than one-off windfalls. Kenyans are demonstrating financial resilience, with a deliberate move toward investing, saving, and wealth-building,” said Head, Wealth and Retail Banking Edith Chumba.

She added, “We know that our affluent clients seek more than just returns. They want clarity in volatile markets, access to global opportunities, and a trusted partner who understands both the local context and the international investment landscape.”

The report shows that while the amount of bonuses expected has dropped, the types of bonuses expected have remained the same.

The top bonuses consumers expect are performance and profit-sharing bonuses.

According to the report, the intentions to save more than the previous year have remained consistent over 2024 and 2025.

"Likewise, with consumers allocating more to investing, those allocating more to savings do so to save towards buying property and land," says the report.