Insurance awareness campaigns and fraud prevention efforts have intensified following a four-day Bima Mashinani outreach program in Kisii County.
During the forum, Kisii Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Maina highlighted how the initiative is educating residents about insurance importance while tackling the growing threat of sector-related fraudsters.
Maina mentioned that key sectors, particularly transport, have been informed about mandatory motor vehicle insurance requirements as stipulated by government regulations. He emphasized that partnerships with teachers’ unions, business groups, civil servants, and the Ministry of Interior are enhancing grassroots awareness.
“We are concentrating on educating people about scammers and ensuring they comprehend the significance of maintaining valid insurance policies,” Maina stated.
“Through collaboration with local stakeholders, we are reaching communities at the grassroots level to enable informed decision-making.”
Evans Kibagendi, Corporate Communications and Public Relations Officer at the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), reported uneven insurance adoption across Kenya, with significant concentration in urban areas.
“Nairobi represents approximately 70 percent of general insurance business and 84 percent of life insurance, while counties like Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret trail significantly behind,” Kibagendi explained.
“Most counties continue to lag, which is why we are in Kisii to educate the public about insurance’s vital role in safeguarding their lives and businesses.”
Kibagendi expressed confidence that the campaign would boost insurance adoption in Kisii and surrounding areas, encouraging stakeholders to promote broader insurance service utilization.
He also voiced concerns regarding unlicensed operators in the industry, cautioning the public to remain alert.
“Illegal entities are masquerading as insurance brokers and service providers. We advise the public to confirm any insurance provider’s legitimacy with the Authority and report any suspicious activities,” he warned.
Joan Wanjala, Deputy Director for Corporate Communications and Public Relations at the IRA, described the Bima Mashinani initiative as designed to close knowledge gaps by bringing insurance education directly to communities.
“We understand that knowledge empowers, which is why we are making insurance education more accessible to people,” Wanjala noted.
“This single session involved over 320 participants.”
The Bima Mashinani initiative continues prioritizing enhanced insurance literacy and narrowing the divide between providers and consumers, especially in rural regions, as stakeholders work toward expanding insurance coverage nationwide.