L-R: Standard Chartered Bank Head of Affluent and Wealth Management Kenya and East Africa Paul Njoki, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing – Kenya and Africa Joyce Kibe and Head of Wealth Management Products Kenya and East Africa Ouma Orero during the release of the Standard Chartered 2025 Bonus Sentiments Report. The report presents timely, research-driven insights into the financial habits, priorities, and investment decisions of affluent professional Kenyans, with a particular focus on how they plan to allocate their bonuses.
Over 70 per cent of Kenyans expect to receive at least two performance bonuses in 2025, with a significant number opting to channel their windfalls into wealth-building avenues such as investments, savings, and property acquisition.
This is according to a new report by Standard Chartered’s 2025 Bonus Sentiment Report and global insights firm Human8, which reveals a strong financial shift among affluent Kenyans across different employment categories, such as full-time workers, self-employed individuals, part-timers, and freelancers.
According to the survey, Kenyans are no longer treating bonuses as mere windfalls but as powerful tools for long-term financial growth.
This year, 30% of respondents intend to channel their bonuses into investments, outpacing spending, saving, and debt repayment, which is also reflected in the past year, where investing remains the leading priority for bonus allocation.
In the sample findings, one in two respondents plans to invest more in 2025 than they did in 2024. Property and land dominate investment categories as key investment targets, followed closely by stocks and equities.
Savings came in closely as a bonus priority, with the majority showing a strong intention to save more than in the previous year. Notably, the motivation behind saving is often tied to the eventual acquisition of tangible assets, particularly real estate.
“A growing number of consumers are treating their bonuses as wealth-building tools rather than one-off windfalls,” said Edith Chumba, Head, Wealth and Retail Banking at Standard Chartered.
“Kenyans are demonstrating financial resilience, with a deliberate move toward investing, saving, and wealth-building. 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 local and international contexts.”
“Insights from this survey are crucial to us. By understanding how affluent Kenyans plan to allocate their bonuses, we can deliver solutions aligned to their aspirations,” stated Standard Chartered Kenya and Africa Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing Joyce Kibe.
The 2025 report also highlights a shift in investment sophistication where land and savings remain key, and Kenyans are exploring diversified and globally informed options. The report shows that the trend points to increasing financial literacy and a maturing investor mindset.
