The Australian followed up her opening round of 69 with a four-under 68Â at Dundonald Links on Friday to move to seven under for the tournament.
It left her leading in the clubhouse alongside Frenchwoman Boutier, fresh from her triumph at her home major, the Evian Championships, last weekend.
The 37-year-old NSW golfer Kemp, a 13-time WPGA Tour of Australasia winner, maintained her good form, recording six birdies and two bogeys in her second round on Friday morning.
The world No.140 reeled off three birdies in a row from the 12th, while Boutier also shot a 68 to match Kemp among the early second-round starters at the Ayrshire seaside course.
The pair were both pursuing Japan's overnight leader Hinako Shibuno, who had begun with a blistering eight-under 64 on Thursday and had improved to nine under after five holes of her second round.
Minjee Lee showed her champion's spirit by following up her dismal opening round of 80 with a second-round 66, which should be enough for her to make the cut as she prepares for next week's Women's British Open at Walton Heath.
After starting with another bogey, Australia's two-time major winner Lee rebounded with seven birdies in her six-under round.
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