Owing to low insurance uptake in the region, Kakamega County has become a key target of Insurance Regulatory Authority to create awareness in the sector that remains largely virgin in western Kenya.

Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) is now pitching tent in the county via awareness workshops with stakeholders that include media on March 24, boda boda (motorbike taxi) operators and owners on March 25, national government administrative officers (NGAO), persons living with disabilities (PLWD), Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) on March 26 and later matatu (PSV) operators on march 27.

During the workshops, the regulator will highlight the importance of insuring their properties and themselves against in uncertainties through the Bima Mashinani initiative.

On March 25, the regulator held a session with 100 PSV motorbike riders and owners where they trained them on road safety, insurance uptake and the need to protect their livelihoods through insurance policy.

The IRA facilitators observed that through these workshops they expect to reach many people in the region and convince them to insure their properties and lives.

Earlier, the authority held a training for Kakamega-based journalists, especially business reporters through the guidance of IRA director Immaculate Shamalla and team where they deliberated on bow best the media can inform, inspire and empower communities and masses through positive and impactful story telling. 

The Bima Mashinani Kakamega chapter was officially opened by IRA Board of Directors Immaculate Shamalla, Director of Corporate Services Esther Musyoki and Deputy Director Corporate Communication and Public Relations Joanne Wanjala.

Ms Shamalla addressed the powerful impact the media possesses in shaping the public opinion as the information relayed by the media for the public consumption determines how they will understand and gauge issues related to insurance.

According to Ms Wanjala, the four-day Bima Mashinani will see stakeholders brought on board through a vigorous engagement to deepen the understanding of trends in the insurance industry but also lure more members into signing for various insurance policies besides demystifying the long perceived notion that insurers are thieves.

She stated that the media training will give room for business reporters to learn more about the essentials of insurance, strengthening accurate and effective positive insurance reporting.     

 Ms Musyoki, while addressing the media training on fair reporting on insurance matters, applauded the role the sector was playing in informing and educating the masses on insurance issues in the country.

Ms Shamalla assured the public of its core mandate of regulating, supervising and developing the insurance industry that has seen the authority placing three insurers, (Corporate Insurance, Kussco Assurance and Trident Insurance) on statutory management.

She called on the public to take advantage of the Bima Mashinani and enroll for the insurance policy and stressed that it was important for the sugar belt region to rise in insurance investment matters. She observed that such trainings will ensure accurate reporting, covering the performance of the industry, the insurance act, fraud detection as well as consumer protection.

She said the training will equip journalists with accurate information concerning insurance to improve on story pitching.

During the training it was revealed that most insurance consumers do not read and understand their insurance policy schedule and yet it was the fall back plan to the whole policy.

“Insurance is not an open cheque and only pays approved claims” the team was told.  

• A Tell Media report / By Isaiah Wakhungu Andanje