By KPC Reporter
The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) is in Kisii for a four-day grassroots insurance education initiative dubbed Bima Mashinani.
The forum, which ends on Thursday at the Agricultural Training Centre, has attracted more than 320 participants including journalists, teachers, traders, farmers, matatu and boda boda operators, co-operative societies, women and youth groups, as well as Persons with Disabilities.
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Opening the forum, IRA Deputy Director for Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Joanne Wanjala, emphasized the regulator’s commitment to building public confidence in insurance through awareness and transparent communication.
“The Authority has adopted a deliberate multi-stakeholder approach to insurance awareness through these targeted forums. As a regulator, we remain committed to promoting the growth of this industry through such programs,” she said.
The Kisii engagement began with a media sensitization session, recognizing the role of journalists in shaping public perception.
Reporters from various media houses were taken through consumer rights, complaints handling and claims processing, with discussions highlighting the need for clear and contextualized storytelling to improve public understanding of insurance.
Boda boda operators engaged in sessions on road safety, insurance uptake and income protection, with 100 riders participating.
Ms. Wanjala urged them to fully understand their obligations when taking up insurance, noting, “Take advantage of this forum to deepen your understanding of insurance, including its benefits, the appropriate covers to choose and claims procedures. We also urge you to share this knowledge with your colleagues in the sector.”
Other groups explored insurance solutions relevant to agriculture, small business operations and community-based organizations.
The interactions reinforced the value of sustained engagement in addressing misconceptions and strengthening trust in insurance services.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of strong growth in Kenya’s insurance industry.
The sector recorded gross written premiums of Ksh 464.72 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 17.6 percent increase from the previous year.
Long-term insurance business contributed 50.7 percent of total industry premiums, while general insurance expanded with medical and motor classes remaining dominant.
Microinsurance also grew significantly, generating Ksh 2.17 billion in premiums, underscoring its role in supporting low-income households, SMEs and the informal sector.
In her remarks, Ms. Wanjala reminded participants that insurance is no longer optional but a necessity.
“We aim to provoke thought and help people understand that insurance is no longer an option; it is a need that offers protection, care and peace of mind in difficult times,” she said.
The Kisii forum follows similar Bima Mashinani engagements in Kakamega, Laikipia and Trans Nzoia counties, marking another step in IRA’s efforts to make insurance a practical and accessible tool for financial protection and economic resilience among Kenyans.
