Chase Bank (Kenya) Ltd. has attracted strong interest from major foreign and local investors, including FirstRand Ltd.'s Rand Merchant Bank and Morocco-based Attijariwafa Bank SA, The Star reported April 7, citing an unnamed source.

A top Kenyan politician is also said to be considering acquiring the troubled lender through a partnership.

In late March, the Central Bank of Kenya invited bidders to place their bids for Chase Bank and extended the lender's receivership by six months, the report noted.

The bank was placed into receivership in April 2016 after facing "liquidity difficulties" brought about by "inaccurate social media reports" and the departure of two of its directors.