Kenyan legislation

Investment and Financial Analysts Act

Edition: 2022-12-31 · In force

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Part I – PRELIMINARY

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Investment and Financial Analysts Act.

2. Interpretation

(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—“annual licence” means an annual licence issued pursuant to section 24;"Cabinet Secretary” means the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to finance;"Capital Markets Authority” means the Authority established under section 5 of the Capital Markets Act (Cap. 485A);"Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Institute, and includes a person appointed under paragraph 2 of the First Schedule to act as Chairperson;“Council” means the Council of the Institute established under section 9;“Disciplinary Committee” means the Committee established under section 27;"Examinations Board” means the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board established under section 14 of the Accountants Act (Cap. 531);“firm” means a sole proprietorship or partnership or a registered company established by members in practice;“Institute” means the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts established by section 3;“practising certificate” means a practising certificate issued pursuant to section 23;"Register” means the register kept pursuant to section 18;"Registration Committee” means the Registration Committee established under section 13 of this Act; and"securities exchange” means a market, exchange, securities organization or other place at which securities and investments are offered for sale, purchase or exchange, including any clearing, settlement or transfer services connected therewith.

(2)For the purpose of this Act—

(a)a person is registered if his name is recorded in the register pursuant to section 18 of this Act;

(b)a person is not registered if he does not seek registration or if his registration is cancelled and particulars of the cancellation are recorded in the register pursuant to section 19 of this Act; and

(c)a person is registered if the fact of the restoration of his registration is recorded in the pursuant to section 18(1)(d) of this Act.

Part II – ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE

3. Establishment of the Institute

(1)There is established an Institute to be known as the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts.

(2)The Institute shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall, in its corporate name, be capable of—

(a)suing and being sued;

(b)taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging or disposing of both movable and immovable property;

(c)borrowing money;

(d)entering into contracts;

(e)doing or performing all such other acts necessary for the proper performance of its functions under this Act, which may be lawfully done or performed by a body corporate.

(3)The provisions of the First Schedule shall have effect with respect to the Institute.

4. Membership of the Institute

(1)Each person who is registered under section 16 of this Act as a member of the Institute shall be allowed to place the prefix the term "FA" before the person's name.

(2)The members of the Institute shall be divided into the following classes, namely—

(a)Fellows, comprising members who become Fellows pursuant to an invitation under subsection (3) each of whom shall be titled "Fellow of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analyst" (designatory letters "FCIFA");

(b)Full members (comprising those members registered under section 20 but who are not Fellows) each of whom shall be titled "Member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analyst" (designatory letters "CIFA").

(c)Associate members, comprising persons eligible to be registered under section 20 but who do not meet all the requirements prescribed under subsection (1) of that section, each of whom shall be titled "Associate Member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analyst" (designatory letters "ACIFA").

(3)Where the Council considers that a member of the Institute has fulfilled the requirements for admission into Fellowship as the Council may prescribe, the Council may invite such member to become a Fellow of the Institute.

(4)Associate members shall be entitled to such rights of membership as the Cabinet Secretary may, in consultation with the Council, by notice in the Gazette prescribe.

5. Funds of the Institute

(1)The expenditure of Institute and its bodies established under this Act shall be met from the funds generated by the Institute and its bodies under this Act.

(2)The members of the Institute as specified in section 4 shall pay such fees and subscriptions as the Council may from time to time prescribe.

6. Honorary Fellows

(1)Where the Council considers that a person, not being a member of the Institute has rendered special services to the Institute or the investment and financial analysts profession, the Council may invite such a person to become an Honorary Fellow of the Institute.

(2)An Honorary Fellow shall not be a member of the Institute.

(3)An Honorary Fellow shall be titled "Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analyst" (designatory letters "Hon FCIFA").

7. Chairperson of the Institute

(1)There shall be a Chairperson of the Institute who shall be elected in the manner provided for in the First Schedule.

(2)A member seeking election as Chairperson shall be a person who—

(a)has been a member of the Institute for a continuous period of not less than three years;

(b)has served on the Council or its committees for at least one year; and

(c)has not been disqualified under the provisions of the Second Schedule.

8. Functions of the Institute

The functions of the Institute shall be to—

(a)promote standards of professional competence and ethical practice amongst members of the Institute;

(b)promote research into the subjects of securities and investments and related matters, and the publication of books, periodicals, journals and articles in connection therewith;

(c)promote the international recognition of the Institute;

(d)advise the regulator for the time being responsible for capital markets in respect of licensing investment and financial analysts;

(e)advise the Examinations Board on matters relating to examinations standards and policies;

(f)to design and administer an initial ethics and integrity test for the purposes of determining the professional suitability of all its members and to subsequently design and undertake such continuous development programmes for its members;

(g)carry out any other functions prescribed for it under any of the other provisions of this Act or any other written law.

9. The Council

(1)The Institute shall be governed by a Council to be known as the Council of the Institute.

(2)Subject to this Act, all acts and things done in the name of or on behalf of the Institute by the Council, or with the authority of the Council shall be deemed to have been done by the Institute.

(3)The Council shall issue standards of professional practice, including securities and investment standards, which shall form the basis of securities and investment practice for members of the Institute in the preparation, verification and analysis of financial statements.

(4)The Council may, with the approval of the members, issue by-laws to govern matters affecting the operations.

10. Committee of the Council

(1)The Council may establish such committees as necessary for the performance of the functions of the Institute and may, subject to the provisions of this Act, delegate powers conferred on it to such committees.

(2)The provisions of the Second Schedule shall have effect with respect to the Council.

11. Membership of the Council

The Council shall consist of eleven members as follows—

(a)a Chairperson elected in accordance with section 7;

(b)one member to represent the ministry responsible for matters relating to finance;

(c)one member to represent the regulator for the time being responsible for capital markets;

(d)one member to represent the Examinations Board;

(e)one member appointed by the Council to represent Securities Exchanges; and

(f)six members elected in the manner provided in the Second Schedule.

12. Secretary to the Council

(1)There shall be a Secretary to the Council who shall be appointed by the Council.

(2)The Secretary shall be the chief executive officer of the Institute.

(3)The Secretary to the Council shall hold and vacate the office of Secretary in accordance with the terms of the instrument of appointment to that office.

(4)In addition to the functions conferred by or under this Act, the Secretary to the Council shall exercise and perform such other functions as the Council may, from time to time, determine.

13. Registration Committee

(1)There is established a committee to known as the Registration Committee.

(2)The Registration Committee shall consist of eight members to be appointed by the Council as follow—

(a)a Chairperson appointed from the Institute;

(b)one person to represent the Ministry responsible for finance;

(c)one person nominated by the Examinations Board;

(d)one person to represent the securities exchanges;

(e)one person nominated by the Capital Markets Authority;

(f)two persons nominated by the Council to represent 'he Institute; and

(g)one person, not being a member of the Institute, nominated by the Council to represent the users of services provided by securities and investments analysts.

(3)The functions of the Registration Committee shall be to—

(a)receive, consider and approve applications for registration as a certified investment and financial analyst;

(b)grant practising certificates and annual licenses in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(c)monitor compliance with professional, quality assurance and other standards published by the Council for observance by the members of the Institute;

(d)prescribe regulations to govern quality assurance programmes, including actions necessary to rectify deviations from established standards;

(e)where appropriate and based on the results of a quality assurance review, recommend to the Council that a member's conduct be referred for inquiry under section 28;

(f)advise the Council on matters pertaining to professional and other standards necessary for the achievement of quality assurance;

(g)cancel certificates in accordance with section 19.

(4)In the performance of its functions under this section, the Registration Committee may undertake such investigations as it deems appropriate, and may requisition evidence, examine records and documents prepared or held by, or likely to be availed to, the member under investigation.

(5)Where the Registration Committee makes a recommendation under subsection (3)(e) the Council shall refer the matter for inquiry under section 28.

(6)The Disciplinary Committee shall consider as evidence the results of the investigation undertaken by the Registration Committee in an inquiry referred to it under subsection (5).

(7)The Council shall provide the Registration Committee with such facilities and resources as are necessary to enable it competently discharge its functions.

(8)In the exercise of its functions under this Act, the Registration Committee shall regulate its own procedure and shall not work under the direction of any person or persons.

(9)The Secretary to the Council shall serve as the Secretary to the Registration Committee and may, with the consent of the person presiding at a meeting, take part in the deliberations on any matter arising at the meeting but shall not be entitled to vote on any such matter.

(10)The provisions of the Third Schedule shall have effect with respect to the Registration Committee.

Part III – REGISTRATION AND PRACTICE

14. Application for registration

(1)A person wishing to be registered as an investment and financial analyst shall apply to the Registration Committee.

(2)An application to be registered as an investment and financial analyst shall be in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(3)Where an application is made by a person in accordance with this section, the Registration Committee shall approve the application if it is satisfied that the person—

(a)is of or above the age fixed by the Council pursuant to subsection (4);

(b)is qualified to be registered; and

(c)is not disqualified from being registered, and, if not satisfied shall refuse the application.

(4)The Council shall by notice in the Gazette, fix the age which a person wishing to be registered must have attained.

(5)A person who, in an application to be registered, wilfully makes a false or misleading statement commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding eighteen months or to both.

15. Holders of authority to practise

(1)Notwithstanding sections 14(1) and (3), the Registration Committee may, on application and payment of the prescribed fees, register as an investment and financial analyst any person who, prior to the commencement of this Act, is the holder of a valid authority to practise issued in accordance with the provisions of any other Act.

(2)Applications under this section shall be received by the Committee within a period of eighteen months after the commencement of the Act.

16. Qualifications for registration

(1)Subject to this section, a person is qualified to be registered if the person—

(a)has been awarded by the Examinations Board, a certificate or other documentary evidence confirming that he has passed the final certified investment and financial analysts examination; or

(b)holds a qualification approved before the commencement of this Act and was registered at the time of commencement of the Act under subsection (2);

(c)has satisfied the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

(2)The Council may, in consultation with the Examinations Board from time to time, by notice in the Gazette, approve qualifications which it considers sufficient to allow a person to be registered, and may, in like manner, withdraw any such approval.

(3)Notwithstanding subsection (1) or (2), the Council may require a person making an application for registration to satisfy the Registration Committee, in such manner as it may direct, that the person has—

(a)adequate knowledge of Kenyan laws, including taxation law and law governing financial markets and;

(b)adequate experience in investment and financial analysis, and

(c)acceptable professional conduct and general character which in the opinion of the Committee make such person a fit and proper person to be registered and unless the person so satisfies the Registration Committee he shall not be treated as being qualified to be registered.

17. Disqualification from registration

(1)Subject to this section, a person is disqualified from being registered—

(a)if such person is convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction in Kenya or elsewhere of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty;

(b)if such person is an undischarged bankrupt;

(c)if such person is of unsound mind and has been certified to be so by a medical practitioner;

(d)if such person does not meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution;

(e)if such person sits and fails the annual ethics and integrity test administered by the Institute; or

(f)during any period when Disciplinary Committee has determined under section 29 that such person shall not be registered or during any such period as varied by the High Court under section 30(2) of this Act.

(2)A person shall not be treated as disqualified under subsection (1)(a) of this section if the Registration Committee having regard to—

(a)the period which has elapsed since the conviction concerned; or

(b)the circumstances of the offence, determines that it would be unreasonable to so treat the person.

(3)A person shall not be treated as disqualified under subsection (1)(b) of this section if the Registration Committee is satisfied that the bankruptcy of the person concerned arose as a result of unavoidable losses or misfortunes.

(4)A person shall not be treated as being disqualified under subsection (1)(f) of this section if the High Court allows an appeal under section 30 of this Act.

18. Register

(1)The Secretary to the Registration Committee shall cause to be kept a register in which shall be recorded—

(a)the name of any person whose application under section 22 of this Act is approved;

(b)the fact that a practising certificate is issued to any person or that any such certificate has ceased to be in force under this Act;

(c)the particulars of the cancellation of the registration of any person;

(d)the fact that the registration of any person is restored under this Act;

(e)details of firms engaged in the practice of nvestment (including securities) and financial, including their proprietors; and

(f)such other matters as the Council may determine.

(2)The Secretary to the Registration Committee may cause to be made such alterations in the register as are necessary to ensure that the matters recorded therein are accurate.

(3)The register may, at all reasonable hours, be inspected, and copies of all or any part of any entry in the register taken—

(a)without payment, by—

(i)any member of the police force or any servant, acting in the course of his duty; or

(ii)any person authorized by the Secretary Council; or

(b)on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, by any other person.

(4)The register shall be received in proceedings before any court or tribunal as evidence of the matters recorded therein which are required by or under this Act to be so recorded.

(5)A document purporting to be certified by the Secretary to the Council—

(a)to be a true copy of an entry in the register;

(b)stating that a person is not, or was not on a date specified in the document, registered; or

(c)stating that a person is not, or was not on a date specified in the document, the holder of a practising certificate,

shall be received in proceedings before a court or tribunal as prima facie evidence of any such matters contained in the entry or of that fact, as the case may be.

(6)Proceedings on an inquiry under this Act before the Disciplinary Committee shall be deemed to be proceedings before a tribunal for the purposes of this section.[Act No. 20 of 2020, Sch]

19. Cancellation of registration

(1)Subject to this section, the Registration Committee shall cancel the registration of a member—

(a)if determination that the registration of the member be cancelled is made under section 29(1)(i) of this Act;

(b)if any circumstance arises which, if the member were then a person applying for registration, would disqualify him under section 24 from being registered; or

(c)if it is appropriate under subsection (4) of this section to do so.

(2)The Registration Committee shall not cancel the registration of a member under subsection (1)(b) unless it has afforded to the member an opportunity to show cause why his registration should not be cancelled.

(3)Subsections (2) and (3) of section 23 shall apply in relation to the cancellation of the registration of a member of the Institute under subsection (1)(b) of this section as they apply for the purpose of determining whether or not a person is disqualified from being registered.

(4)The Registration Committee may cancel the registration of a member of the Institute who fails to comply with the requirements of section 5.

(5)When the registration of a member of the Institute is cancelled under subsection (1)(a), the Registration Committee shall restore the registration if, on an appeal made under section 30(1) the High Court allows the appeal.

(6)The Registration Committee shall upon request restore the registration of a person whose registration is cancelled under subsection (1)(c).

(7)The registration of a member shall be restored by recording in the register particulars of the restoration.

(8)A person shall not be treated as being disqualified under this section if the High Court allows an appeal under section 30(1) of this Act.

(9)A person aggrieved by a determination of the Registration Committee under section 20(1), section 23(1) and section 24(2) may appeal to an arbitrator against such determination within twenty-one days of being notified of the determination.

(10)A person dissatisfied by a decision under subsection (9) may appeal to the High Court, which may affirm the determination of the Registration Committee or allow the appeal.

20. Authority to practise

(1)No person shall practise as a certified investment and financial analyst unless the person is registered as a certified investment and financial analyst and holds a practising certificate or an annual license from the Registration Committee that is in force.

(1A)A person shall not become a Chief Investment Officer, or head of an investment department or function in a firm investing public funds, or a firm in the practice of investment and financial analysis, unless the person is registered as a certified investment and financial analyst and holds a practising certificate and an annual licence issued by the Registration Committee.

(1B)A person shall not perform verification, certification and advice of investment of funds in public entity, or a firm in the practice of investment and financial analysis, unless the person is registered as a certified investment and financial analyst and holds a practising certificate and an annual licence issued by the Registration Committee.

(1C)A person shall not verify investment returns declared by a firm investing public funds, or a firm in the practice of investment and financial analysis, unless the person is registered as a certified investment and financial analyst and holds a practising certificate and an annual licence issued by the Registration Committee.

(2)Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both.[Act No. 20 of 2020, Sch.]

21. Definition of practice

(1)Subject to this section, a person practices as an investment and financial analyst for the purpose of this Act if, in consideration of remuneration or other benefits received or to be received and whether by himself or in partnership with any other person, such person—

(a)engages in the practice of investment and financial analysis or holds himself out to the public as a person entitled to do so;

(b)offers to perform or performs services involving investment advice or financial decisions, investment transactions, books, accounts or records;

(c)offers to perform or performs services involving the verification or certification of investments and related advice; or

(d)engages in any practice, or performs or offers to perform any services, which may be prescribed.

(2)A salaried employee of the Government or of any other person does not practice as an investment and financial analyst by reason only of doing, in his capacity as such employee, any of the acts referred to in subsection (1).

(3)An advocate, a professional secretary, a professional accountant or a person authorised to do so by or under any written law, may only undertake the work of an investment consultant or investment advisor or a financial consultant in the course of practising their profession.

22. Application for practising certificate

(1)A person wishing to obtain a practising certificate shall apply to the Registration Committee.

(2)An application for a practising certificate shall be in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

23. Issuance of practising certificate

(1)Where an application is made by a person in accordance with section 22(1), the Registration Committee shall issue to such person a practising certificate if it is satisfied that the person—

(a)is registered;

(b)has received, from an investment analyst who is the holder of a practising certificate, instruction of such nature and for such period as may be prescribed; and

(c)meets such other requirements as may be prescribed, and if not so satisfied, shall refuse the application.

(2)A practising certificate issued under this Act remains in force unless it ceases to be in force under subsection (5), (6) or (7).

(3)Notwithstanding subsection (2), a practising certificate issued to any person shall cease to be in force if that person ceases to be registered.

(4)Where a practising certificate issued to any person ceases to be in force under subsection (5) that practising certificate shall not come into force again if the person is subsequently registered but shall come into force again if the registration of the person is restored.

(5)Subject to subsection (6), a practising certificate shall cease to be in force during any period when it is suspended pursuant to section 29(1)(i) or if that period is varied on appeal under section 30(1) during the period as so varied.

(6)A person may surrender to the Institute, a practising certificate issued to him and, in that event, the certificate shall cease to be in force.

(7)Where a practising certificate ceases to be in force under subsection (3), the person to whom the certificate was issued shall deliver it to the Institute within fourteen days after the date on which he ceases to be registered.

(8)Any person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes subsection (7) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings for every month accruing or part thereof.

24. Issue of annual license

(1)Where the holder of a practising certificate intends to practice as a firm, whether as a sole practitioner or in a partnership, he shall apply to the Registration Committee for an annual practising license in the prescribed form, furnishing the Registration Committee with such details of the firm as it may require.

(2)Where an application is made by a person under subsection (1), the Registration Committee shall issue him with an annual licence if it is satisfied that the person—

(a)holds a practising certificate; and

(b)meets such other requirements as may be prescribed; and, if not so satisfied, shall refuse the application.

(3)An annual licence issued under this Act shall be valid from the date of issue to the thirtieth June of the year of issue and shall be renewed at the end thereof.

25. Property of the Institute

A practising certificate or an annual licence issued to any person shall remain the property of the Institute.

Part IV – DISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS

26. Professional misconduct

(1)A member of the Institute shall be guilty of professional misconduct if such member—

(a)allows any person to practise in his name as a investment and financial analyst, unless such person is the holder of a practising certificate and is in partnership with or employed by him;

(b)enters, for the purpose of or in the course of practising as an investment or financial analyst, into partnership with a person who does not hold a practising certificate, or secures any professional business through the services of such a person or by means not open to an investment analyst;

(c)pays or allows or agrees to pay, directly or indirectly, to any person (other than a person who holds a practising certificate, is a retired partner or the legal representative of such a partner), any share, commission or brokerage out of the fees for, or profits of his professional services;

(d)accepts or agrees to accept any part of the fees of, or profits for, the professional work of an advocate, auctioneer, broker or other agent who is not the holder of a practising certificate;

(e)solicits clients or professional work or advertises professional attainments or services by use of means which contravene the guidelines published by the Council;

(f)discloses information acquired in the course of professional engagement to any person other than a client, without the consent of the client, or otherwise than required by law;

(g)certifies or submits in his name or in the name of his firm a report of investment advice, where the examination of such statements and the related records have not been made by him or a partner or an employee in his firm;

(h)fails to observe and apply professional, technical, ethical or other standards prescribed by the Council as guidelines for practice by members of the Institute;

(i)permits his name or the name of his firm to be used in connection with an estimate of earnings contingent upon future transactions in a manner which may lead to the belief that he vouches for the accuracy of the forecasts;

(j)expresses his opinion on investment statements of any business or any enterprise in which he, his immediate family, his firm or any partner in his firm, has an interest, unless he discloses that interest when expressing the opinion;

(k)charges, in respect of any professional employment other than insolvency or receivership, fees which are based on a percentage of profits or which are contingent on results;

(l)fails to disclose in an investment advice statement or otherwise a material fact known to him the disclosure of which is necessary to ensure that the investment advice statement is not misleading;

(m)fails to report a material misstatement known to him to appear in an investment statement with which he is concerned in a professional capacity;

(n)is guilty of gross negligence in the conduct of his professional duties;

(o)expresses an opinion on any matter with which he is concerned in a professional capacity without obtaining sufficient information on which to base the opinion;

(p)is an employee of an institution whose license is granted under the Capital Markets Act or any applicable law in Kenya and fails to keep the funds of a client in a separate account or fails to use such funds for purposes for which they are intended;

(q)includes in any statement, return or form to be submitted to the Council any particular knowing it to be false; or

(r)is found to engage in any other fraudulent acts; or

(s)fails to do any other act which may be prescribed.

(2)Subsection (1)(f) shall not apply in respect of information disclosed to the Institute in fulfillment of the requirements of a quality assurance programme provided for under section 13.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (1)(j), the term "immediate family" includes a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin or adopted child and the child of his or her brother or sister or of his or her adopted child, and such relations of the half-blood, or such child of such relations of the half-blood, as well as of the whole-blood.

27. Disciplinary Committee

(1)There shall be a committee of the Council to be known as the Disciplinary Committee.

(2)The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of eight members who shall be appointed in accordance with subsection (3).

(3)The members of the Disciplinary Committee shall be appointed by the Council from amongst persons nominated in the following manner—

(a)three members of the Institute, of whom one, who meets the minimum qualifications of a full member of the Institute in good standing with at least ten years' experience in the profession, shall be designated as the Chairperson, one (identified by agreement of the members of the Board or by lot) shall cease to hold office at the commencement of the day on which the second annual general meeting of the Institute is to be held, save in the case of any such who earlier ceases to hold office;

(b)one nominated by the Council from another profession other than Securities and Investment Analysts;

(c)one nominated by the Attorney-General;

(d)one nominated by the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya;

(e)one nominated by the Capital Markets Authority;

(f)one nominated by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the National Treasury.

(4)In making appointments under this section, the Council shall have regard to the knowledge and interest of the persons so appointed in matters pertaining to securities and investment analysis.

(5)The quorum of a meeting of the Disciplinary Committee shall be four members.

(6)Subject to subsection (7), a member of the Disciplinary Committee shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for reappointment for one further term.

(7)Where any member of the Disciplinary Committee resigns his office or is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office, the Council shall require the respective nominating body specified in subsection (3) to nominate a replacement for such member, for appointment in accordance with that subsection.

(8)The Council shall provide the Disciplinary Committee with such facilities and resources as are necessary to enable it competently discharge its functions.

(9)The Disciplinary Committee may, subject to the provisions of this Act, regulate its own procedure.

28. Inquiry by the Disciplinary Committee

(1)Where the Council has reason to believe that a member of the Institute may have been guilty of professional misconduct it shall refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee which shall inquire into the matter.

(2)The provisions of the Fourth Schedule shall have effect with respect to an inquiry by the Disciplinary Committee pursuant to subsection (1).

29. Recommendations after inquiry

(1)On the completion of an inquiry under section 28 into the alleged professional misconduct of a member of the Institute, the Disciplinary Committee shall submit to the Council a report of the inquiry which shall include one or more of the following recommendations, namely that—

(a)no further action be taken against the member;

(b)the member be reprimanded;

(c)the member be reprimanded with publication of the reprimand in the Kenya Gazette or in any other suitable media which may include the newspapers, electronic media and the internet;

(d)the member pays such costs to the Institute, not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings, as may be determined;

(e)the member undertakes training at his own cost of such nature and duration and at such institutions as may be determined;

(f)the member pays to the Institute a fine not exceeding one million shillings;

(g)the member discharges his professional obligations under any contractual arrangement subject of the alleged misconduct;

(h)any practising certificate held by the member be suspended; or

(i)the registration of the member be cancelled and that he be not registered for such period (including life) as may be specified.

(2)Where the Disciplinary Committee, in a report makes a recommendation under subsection (1), the Council shall inform the member concerned of the action to be taken against him and effect the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee.

(3)A member aggrieved by a determination of the Disciplinary Committee under subsection (l) may make an appeal to the Council within sixty days of the communication to him of such determination, providing the grounds upon which the appeal is lodged.

(4)The Council may upon receipt of an appeal under subsection (3) direct the Disciplinary Committee to re-open the inquiry and shall in such direction specify the aspects of the matter it requires the Disciplinary Committee to reconsider.

(5)The Disciplinary Committee shall comply with the direction of the Council under subsection (4) and shall, after concluding the inquiry, submit a report to the Council in accordance with subjection (1).

(6)Any recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee under this section shall not be effected until after the expiry of the period prescribed under subsection (3) for appeals and the subsequent conclusion of the appeal proceedings thereof.

30. Appeal

(1)A person aggrieved by a determination of the Disciplinary Committee under section 29(1) may appeal to the High Court against such determination within sixty days of being notified of the determination.

(2)On an appeal the High Court may affirm, with or without variation, of the period for which the person concerned is not to be registered, or the period for which his practising certificate is suspended, confirm the determination of the Disciplinary Committee or allow the appeal.

(3)A determination under section 29 of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding that an appeal is made against the determination, but in the event that the High Court allows the appeal—

(a)section 29 of this Act shall have effect in relation to the cancellation of the registration of the member; and

(b)the suspension of the practising certificate of the member of the Institute shall cease to have effect.

31. Part to apply to previous holder of an authority to practise

For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that the provisions of this Part shall apply to any person registered as an investment and financial analyst under the provisions of section 21(1) of this Act for actions undertaken by such person while practising under a written authority to practise granted prior to the commencement of this Act.

Part V – FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

32. Funds of the Institute

The funds of the Institute shall consist of—

(a)such fees, monies or assets as may accrue to or vest in the Institute in the course of the exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions under this Act or under any other written law;

(aa)money appropriated by the National Assembly.

(b)such gifts as may be given to the Institute; and

(c)all monies from any other source provided for or donated to the Institute.

[Act No. 20 of 2020, Sch.]

33. Financial year

Unless otherwise provided, the financial year of the Institute shall be the period for twelve months ending on the thirty-first day of December in each year.

34. Annual estimates

(1)At least three months before the commencement of each financial year, the Institute shall cause to be prepared estimates of revenue and expenditure for that year.

(2)The annual estimates shall be approved by the Council before the commencement of the financial year to which they relate.

(3)The Council shall cause to be kept all proper books and records of accounts of the income, expenditure and assets of the Institute.

(4)Within a period of four months from the end of each financial year, the Council shall submit to its auditors the accounts of the Institute for audit.

(4A)The accounts of the Institute relating to monies appropriated by the National Assembly shall be audited in accordance with the Public Audit Act (Cap. 412B).

(5)Within six months before the end of the financial year, the Council shall lay the audited accounts before the annual general meeting of its members together with any reports made by the auditors.[Act No. 20 of 2020, Sch]

Part VI – MISCELLANEOUS

35. Staff of the Institute and the Registration Committee

(1)The Institute and the Registration Committee may each engage and employ such persons as are necessary for the discharge of their respective functions under this Act, on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the instruments of appointment.

(2)The terms and conditions of employment of staff employed under this section shall be as may be determined by the Institute and the Registration Committee respectively.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2) "terms and conditions" includes conditions with respect to the duration of employment or with respect to dismissal from employment.

36. Offences

(1)A person who—

(a)assumes or uses the title or designatory letters referred to in section 4(1) and who is not a qualified member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts; or

(b)assumes or uses the title or designatory letters referred to in section 4(2)(a) and who is not a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts; or

(c)assumes or uses the title or designatory letters referred to in section 4(2)(b) and who is not a member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts;

(d)assumes or uses the title or designatory letters referred to in section 4(2)(c) and who is not a member of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts;

(e)assumes or uses the title "Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts" and who is not such Honorary Fellow; or

(f)otherwise falsely assumes or uses any title or designatory letters prescribed by the Cabinet Secretary,

commits an offence.

(2)A corporate body (whether incorporated in Kenya or elsewhere) which falsely uses any of the titles or designatory letters referred to in section a 4(2)(a), (b) or (c) commits an offence.

(3)Where a firm uses the title or designatory letters referred to in section 4(2) while each of the partners in the firm are entitled to use the title or designatory letters, each of the partners of the firm commits an offence.

(4)A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings, and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding one million shillings for each day on which the offence continues.

37. Vacancy in membership

The Council may exercise and perform its functions notwithstanding any vacancy among the members and the validity of any proceedings of the Council shall not be affected by any such vacancy or any defect in the appointment of a member.

38. Appointment of interim managers

(1)Where a member in private practice suffers incapacitation, the Council may appoint a person, in this section referred to as an interim manager, to conduct the professional affairs of that member for a duration not exceeding two years in accordance with the provisions of the Fifth Schedule.

(2)The interim manager appointed under subsection (1) shall be the holder of a practising certificate issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(3)The provisions of the Fifth Schedule shall have effect with respect to an interim manager appointed under this section.

39. Regulations

The Cabinet Secretary may make regulations prescribing anything which is required to be prescribed under the provisions of this Act.

40. Transitional provision

Where, in any written law, any reference is made (in whatsoever terms), or is implied as referring to an investment and financial analyst, such reference or implied reference shall be deemed, subject to the provisions of the Capital Markets Act and mutatis mutandis, refer to the holder of a practising certificate, or to the holders of practising certificates, issued pursuant to section 23 of the Act.

Source: Kenya Law · Imported 4 October 2026