Also known as: IRA
Insurance Regulatory Authority — Kenya's insurance sector regulator, responsible for market oversight and data collection.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Insurance Regulatory Authority
Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Citizen Digital
… easily cross sell products from different business lines from the one stop shop, generate quotes, view their commissions, initiate claims on behalf of their customers among other functionalities - a testament to the CIC Insurtech capabilities.” The Insurance Regulatory Authority …
CIC unveils digital channels to make financial services more accessibleThe Standard
… This is according to the Director of Supervision at the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) Kalai Musee, who addressed the regulatory priorities shaping Kenya’s insurance sector. …
Businesses urged to move beyond insurance policies to build operational resilienceThe Standard
… laims leave firms struggling. [Courtesy] Directline Assurance has continued with its dominance in insuring public service vehicles (PSVs) in the country with a market share of 43.41 per cent over the period to June 2026, according to new data by the Insurance Regulatory Authority …
Directline tops PSV insurance as high claims leave firms strugglingCitizen Digital
… Audio By Vocalize The High Court has drawn a legal line around the powers of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), ruling that the regulator cannot invalidate existing insurance policies merely because an insurer has been placed under statutory management. …
High Court quashes IRA notice cancelling Trident, Corporate Insurance policiesThe Standard
… This is according to the Insurance Regulatory Authority's (IRA) 2025 annual insurance industry statistics report for the year ending December 31, 2025, released yesterday.The performance shows the resilience and expanding contribution of the insurance sector to the protection of …
Insurance premiums cross Sh466b mark as penetration grows to 2.6pcThe Standard
… The affidavit further states that KUSCCO Mutual Assurance Limited, a subsidiary of KUSCCO, is under statutory management by the Insurance Regulatory Authority. …
Court asked to halt secret Sh17.7bn KUSCCO plan to form new SACCOCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26 – Lawmakers have raised questions over the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s (IRA) payment of Sh342.8 million to a law firm following a protracted dispute over legal fees. …
MPs question Sh342.8mn IRA payment to law firm over legal fees disputeThe Standard
… Cofek sued the Health Cabinet Secretary and the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA). …
Court halts insurance cover requirement for tourists coming to KenyaThe Standard
… According to the source, if SHA was operating under the same legal conditions as private insurance, the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) would be required to declare it technically insolvent and place it under a statutory manager. …
SHA enrollment hits 32.2 million but only 5 million pay premiumsCitizen Digital
… The subsidiary is governed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s Microinsurance Regulations of 2020, which stipulate a framework for insurers to offer products tailored to low-income and underserved customers. …
CIC’s new microinsurance subsidiary to offer affordable insurance solutions to KenyansCIC Insurance Group has unveiled digital channels—including a mobile app, online portal, and USSD service—to make insurance and financial services more accessible to customers and intermediaries across Kenya and the region.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
CIC Insurance Group has unveiled digital channels—including a mobile app, online portal, and USSD service—to make insurance and financial services more accessible to customers and intermediaries across Kenya and the region.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
At a Nairobi risk management forum, businesses were advised to move beyond purchasing insurance policies and take a proactive approach to identifying, assessing, and managing risks. Organisations should regularly review risk exposures, identify vulnerabilities, and integrate risk considerations into business decisions rather than relying solely on insurance coverage.
28 October 2026 · The Standard →
Directline Assurance maintains market dominance in public service vehicle insurance with a 43.41 per cent market share as of June 2026, according to Insurance Regulatory Authority data, even as high claims create challenges across the sector.
19 October 2026 · The Standard →
The High Court ruled that the Insurance Regulatory Authority exceeded its powers when it issued a notice cancelling policies held by customers of Trident Insurance and Corporate Insurance after the companies were placed under statutory management. The court found that the statutory management regime is designed to stabilize an insurer and protect policyholders, not to automatically end existing insurance contracts.
17 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's insurance industry saw gross direct premiums grow 16.5 per cent to Sh466.58 billion in 2025, while insurance penetration rose to 2.63 per cent of GDP, the highest level since 2016. Long-term insurance premiums increased 23.20 per cent to Sh236.29 billion.
3 September 2026 · The Standard →
KUSCCO faces an urgent court application from creditors seeking to halt a secretive Sh17.7 billion restructuring plan that would create a new entity called KEFESCO Ltd, with RUPSA arguing that the changes could affect members' rights and frustrate Sh6.1 billion claims while preservation orders remain in force.
28 August 2026 · The Standard →
Lawmakers have questioned the Insurance Regulatory Authority's payment of Sh342.8 million to a law firm following a dispute over legal fees. The payment also included Sh79.8 million in interest that accrued after IRA delayed settling an earlier court award, and arose from a disagreement over fees for representing the regulator in a legal dispute involving a liquidated insurance company.
26 August 2026 · Capital News →
The High Court has blocked the government from requiring insurance cover from tourists visiting Kenya, ruling that the Ministry of Health's directive contradicted the Ministry of Interior's authority over foreign nationals' entry and that no proper mechanism exists to handle the requirement.
24 August 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's health insurance sector grew 22.4% in 2025 and became the largest class in general insurance at 41.1% of the segment, yet insurers faced a combined ratio of 108.3%, meaning they paid out more in claims than they collected in premiums, indicating a structural profitability problem alongside growth.
14 August 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Social Health Authority has enrolled 32.2 million Kenyans, described by officials as a record for health insurance uptake, but an insider reports only about 5 million members are actually remitting premiums to the scheme.
11 August 2026 · The Standard →
CIC Insurance Group has launched CIC Impact, a microinsurance subsidiary offering affordable insurance products for low- and middle-income earners, MSMEs, farmers and cooperatives under Kenya's Microinsurance Regulations of 2020.
30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Family Bank has entered the health insurance market through its subsidiary, partnering with APA Insurance to offer Family Afya, a medical cover targeting SMEs, households and individual customers with inpatient and outpatient coverage, maternity services, and treatment for chronic illnesses including cancer.
22 July 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's insurers are combining investment products with health and life insurance to attract customers resistant to standalone insurance; insurance penetration fell to 2.2 per cent in the first half of 2025, well below the global average of 7.4 per cent.
17 July 2026 · The Standard →
African Merchant Assurance (Amaco) has seen its market share in insuring Kenya's public service vehicles fall to 21 per cent from 44.61 per cent in December 2025, according to Insurance Regulatory Authority data. Directline Assurance has grown its PSV market share to 62 per cent over the quarter to March 2026, rebounding from a 35 per cent share in the first quarter of 2025.
14 July 2026 · The Standard →
SACCO Societies Regulatory Authority data shows regulated saccos disbursed Sh2.79 billion in medical loans in Q1 2026, a 31 per cent increase from Sh2.13 billion in Q1 2025. This opinion piece argues the surge reflects weakened community safety nets and signals a troubling shift in the cooperative movement's role away from building economic resilience toward managing immediate healthcare crises.
6 July 2026 · The Standard →
Jubilee Health Insurance has introduced an instalment-based premium payment model allowing customers to activate cover after an initial payment and pay the remaining premium in up to 10 monthly instalments. Entry-level plans start at KSh3,256 per month with KSh200,000 inpatient cover and KSh40,000 outpatient benefits, targeting individuals, families, first-time buyers and SMEs with 3–50 employees.
3 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's Nairobi International Financial Centre certified 15 new companies expected to mobilise more than US$200 million in investment and create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across sectors including digital finance, artificial intelligence, climate finance, and fintech.
1 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's insurance penetration stands at barely three per cent. Stakeholders say digital adoption can help overcome barriers of access, relevance, and trust, complementing traditional agent-based distribution as younger Africans increasingly prefer digital channels for financial services.
1 July 2026 · The Standard →
Industry experts warn that businesses are exposing themselves to significant financial losses by failing to adequately insure cargo through global supply chains, with Kenya importing goods worth more than Sh2.7 trillion annually despite relatively low marine insurance penetration. The Port of Mombasa handles millions of tonnes of cargo annually but movement of goods remains vulnerable to vessel collisions, fires, explosions, piracy, and weather disruptions, with a single incident potentially resulting in losses running into millions.
25 June 2026 · The Standard →
Cases of fake motor insurance certificates are increasing across Kenya, often issued by rogue agents to unsuspecting motorists who purchased in good faith. Drivers with fake coverage face full personal liability for accident costs and are encouraged to verify policies via the Bima Yangu App or by dialling *352#.
19 June 2026 · The Standard →
Official statistics show Meru County has an insurance penetration rate of 1.3 percent, significantly below other counties. The Insurance Regulatory Authority and county leadership have called for increased public awareness and uptake of insurance services to spur economic development.
19 June 2026 · The Standard →
Former Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha has defended women in leadership and urged Kenyans to judge them based on service delivery rather than gender, arguing that women should be given the opportunity to prove their abilities in elected positions.
2 June 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's insurance penetration at 2.2 per cent of GDP in the first half of 2025 leaves households vulnerable to financial shocks. March 2026 flooding killed at least 112 people across 30 counties, damaged nearly 7,000 households, and stranded at least 71 vehicles in Nairobi, with most victims lacking insurance cover to recover losses.
31 May 2026 · The Standard →
President Ruto directed a KSh10 reduction in diesel prices for the June-July cycle and defended the government's fuel price support measures—including Petroleum Development Fund use and a 50 per cent VAT reduction—saying they have committed KSh28.19 billion across recent pricing cycles to cushion Kenyans from Middle East conflict-driven fuel price pressures.
22 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto has directed the National Transport and Safety Authority to allow matatu operators to use graffiti and artwork on public service vehicles, saying the government will facilitate an enabling environment for artistic expression while ensuring safety and respect for other road users.
22 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Football Kenya Federation deputy McDonald Mariga filed a 63-page affidavit to the Sports Disputes Tribunal alleging FKF President Hussein Mohammed used a single signatory system to manage millions in public and donor funds without National Executive Committee approval, including a KSh.42.7 million CHAN 2024 insurance scandal.
13 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's insurance penetration declined to 2.2 per cent of GDP in the first half of 2025 from 2.4 per cent in 2024, well below the global average of 7.4 per cent. Insurers are expanding into underserved segments such as elderly people and children, though uptake remains limited.
13 May 2026 · The Standard →
The Sports Disputes Tribunal temporarily suspended FKF President Hussein Mohammed's ouster over a Ksh. 47.7 million insurance scandal and blocked McDonald Mariga's appointment as "Acting President" pending investigations, days after NEC members voted to remove him.
29 April 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission visited FKF offices as part of an ongoing investigation into an insurance scandal involving the loss of Sh42 million in funds meant for the African Nations Championship 2024. FKF President Hussein Mohammed, acting-CEO Dennis Gicheru and NEC member Abdallah Yusuf were suspended by the federation after brokerage fees were wired to an unlicensed company.
28 April 2026 · The Standard →
Football Kenya Federation's NEC suspended President Hussein Mohammed, acting-CEO Dennis Gicheru, and NEC member Abdallah Yusuf over the reported loss of Sh42 million in CHAN Pamoja tournament insurance funds, appointing McDonald Mariga as acting-President. The EACC, IRA, PPRA, CAF, and FIFA are investigating the matter, which Mohammed denies, claiming CAF procured the insurance and FKF made no payments to any insurance company.
25 April 2026 · The Standard →