Nairobi, April 16 -- Retail investors hold a larger share of government debt than insurance firms and parastatals combined, cementing their status as the fastest-growing class of domestic lenders to the State.

Data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) shows that the retail investors held 12.52 percent of the State's gross domestic debt of Sh5.26 trillion as at April 5, translating to actual lending of Sh658.32 billion.

Insurers and parastatals meanwhile held a combined 12.38 percent of the debt, making Sh650.96 billion. The underwriters hold 7.12 percent of the State debt while parastatals account for 5.26 percent.

Retail investors, who are classified as "others" in the government's breakdown of its domestic lender groups, comprise ind...