The key indices of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) dipped on the first day of trading in 2019, an indication that investors may continue to choke up losses this year.

The NSE 20 Share Index fell 11.06 points to close at 2,822.78 on Wednesday as key stocks like Equity Bank, KenolKobil and Kenya Airways declined, while the NSE All Share Index declined to 140.20 from 140.43 on Monday.

Wednesday's turnover declined to 129 million Kenyan shillings (1.28 million U.S. dollars), down from 3.5 million dollars in the Monday session, according to the NSE.

Market capitalization, which measures shareholders' wealth, fell to 20.7 billion dollars on Wednesday from 20.8 billion dollars on Monday.

Kenyan stock market took a beating in 2018, with most investors reaping losses as securities ended the year lower than they started in January, pulling down key indices with investors' wealth declining by 4.1 billion dollars.

However, investment analysts are optimistic that the market would claw back some of its lost ground this year as some blue-chips stocks will recover.