The insurance regulator has rolled out the Bima Mashinani Initiative, a grassroots drive to rebuild public trust and boost insurance uptake, as donor funding shrinks and industry credibility falters.
The Insurance Regulatory Authority’s (IRA) programme seeks to bridge the gap between the industry and ordinary citizens by enhancing awareness, transparency and accountability among insurance providers.
IRA is currently conducting a week-long multi-stakeholder engagement targeting organised groups, including co-operatives, youth and women organisations, boda boda and matatu operators, and professional associations in Western Kenya.
“This builds public trust, and with trust comes deeper insurance penetration, which remains a key challenge in Kenya and the region,” IRA board of directors member Immaculate Shamalla said.
She said the authority is taking steps to discipline the insurance market. Three companies have already been placed under receivership for failing to meet obligations to policyholders.
Shamalla spoke during a media sensitisation forum at Shamberere Technical Training Institute on Tuesday.
“We want a market founded on order, truth, justice and integrity, and we will not relent until policyholders’ interests are safeguarded,” she said.
Shamalla said insurance companies paid Sh25.82 billion to policyholders in the first quarter of 2025. Medical claims accounted for 49.4 per cent, private motor claims 22.3 per cent and public motor claims 19.4 per cent.
She said insurance protects against unforeseen losses, while the initiative aligns with government priorities on financial inclusion, grassroots economic resilience, and community empowerment.
Shamalla urged residents and appointees from Western Kenya to invest locally and give the Kenya Kwanza government a chance to match or exceed past regional development.
