The Nairobi Stock Exchange has held steady in the face of a heated debate over the naming of suspects to be charged for the 2008 post-election violence.
Despite a technical hitch on Wednesday afternoon, the market continues to rally a head of the end of year trading sessions.
"Turnover rose to Sh474 million during the session from the previous session's Sh240 million, while the number of shares traded stood at 30 million against 12 million posted on yesterday (Tuesday)," read a report from the bourse on trading.
During Thursday's trade, the NSE 20 share index, however, shed 14.13 points to close the day at 4368.31 points.
Shares traded also dropped from the previous 30 million to 17 million during the session.
"I remain optimistic that the indicted are now being funnelled into a process and that it is in their interests to present their case at the court and that this will prove cathartic," said Mr Aly Khan Satchu, an independent investment analyst.
However, some market analysts are a bit cautious, noting that it would be premature to assess the general impact of the naming by Mr Ocampo.
With the fundamentals of the market remaining in place, all seems well for the bourse, unless there are reported frictions or resistance to the ICC process going forward.
Additionally, an expected growth of the economy by about five per cent has further given the market a cushion as it approaches 2011.
It is estimated that the NSE will close the year 35 per cent higher than it closed the previous year.
Mr Ocampo's list named among others Finance minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, Industrialization minister Henry Kosgei and Head of Civil Services Francis Muthaura.
Others in the list were vernacular radio presenter Arap Sang', Postal Corporation o Kenya head Hussein Ali and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.
At the height of the post-election violence in 2008, the market witnessed a very low run that continued to the rest of the year.
This was also coupled with the global financial crisis that saw a number of stock markets worldwide maintain a bear for the better part of the year.
Source: Breaking News, Kenya
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