Octagon Umbrella Fund Grows to KSh3.2 Billion After 19.1% Investment Return

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 The Octagon Umbrella Retirement Benefits Scheme has grown its fund value to KSh3.2 billion after its Aggressive investment portfolio delivered a 19.1 per cent return in 2025, outperforming the umbrella fund market average of 12.37 per cent.

The Scheme’s Balanced Fund recorded a 14.8 per cent return, while the Conservative Fund posted 11.6 per cent, with all three investment options delivering positive performance during the year. The growth has been accompanied by an increase in membership, with the Scheme recording more than 200 participating employers as of March 2026 and a 22 per cent rise in membership.

Michael Komen, Head of Retail at Octagon Africa, said the Scheme’s growth reflects the growing demand for professionally managed retirement arrangements that provide employers with administrative efficiency while giving members investment choices and access to their retirement information.

“Members now need solutions that combine disciplined investment, appropriate risk management, transparency and easy access to information,” Komen said, adding that the company aims to translate investment growth into long-term value and greater financial security for members.

The Scheme offers three investment options tailored to different risk appetites and investment horizons. The Conservative Fund targets members seeking greater stability through guaranteed funds, fixed-income securities and Treasury bills. The Balanced Fund combines equities, bonds, cash equivalents and guaranteed funds, while the Aggressive Fund has greater exposure to equities, real estate investment trusts and private equity.

Octagon has also expanded access to retirement services through its Octagon Pension Administration System (OPAS), which enables members to access statements and update beneficiary information online. Employers can also post contributions and approve member requests digitally.

The Scheme’s performance comes amid positive developments in Kenya’s retirement benefits sector. According to the Retirement Benefits Authority’s June 2026 Industry Brief, total pension assets under management rose by 12.66 per cent between December 2025 and June 2026, increasing from KSh2.811 trillion to KSh3.167 trillion. Over the year to June 2026, pension assets grew by 25.13 per cent, representing an increase of KSh636 billion.

The RBA has attributed part of the sector’s shift towards umbrella arrangements to smaller standalone corporate schemes moving to pooled retirement solutions. Such arrangements can help employers reduce administrative workloads and operating costs while benefiting from professional investment management.

Octagon continues to expand its reach across Kenya, including Narok and the wider Rift Valley region, as more employers seek retirement benefit solutions that combine efficient administration, investment choice and improved access to pension information.

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