As Kenya’s insurance sector contends with mounting pressure from inflation, regulatory hurdles, and other emerging risks, Minet Kenya is stepping in to help corporate clients better navigate the emerging shifts.
Recent industry data shows that the country’s insurance penetration rate remains below 3%[1], which is among the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa and much lower than the global average of 6.8%[2]. Amidst this environment, the volume and complexity of claims continues to rise, reaching KES94 billion in 2023, up from KES82.9 billion the previous year[3], with players increasingly dealing with delays, disputes, and lost opportunities.
In response, Minet Kenya’s Corporate Division (Minet Risk Solutions, MRS) convened an exclusive, one-day Focus Group Training on July 10, 2025, at a Nairobi hotel. The event brought together 80 senior decision-makers from Minet’s major corporate accounts, including insurance and risk managers, finance directors, legal and compliance officers, and business continuity leaders.
The training aimed to demystify general insurance and foster a deeper understanding of claims procedures, as well as introduce participants to emerging risk areas such as cyber threats, ESG obligations, and sustainability-linked exposures.
The sessions also examined recent trends in global and local insurance markets and their implications for corporate Kenya. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions that unpacked the intricacies of insurance language, explored challenges around documentation and claim disputes, and considered how to build stronger partnerships with brokers and insurers alike.
“We have observed that many of the frustrations clients experience, especially during claims, stem not from negligence or bad faith, but from a limited understanding of how insurance works. We believe that by educating our clients, we can close those gaps and build trust, efficiency, and long-term risk resilience,” said Francis Maina the Deputy Director, Minet Risk Solutions at Minet Kenya.
Kenya’s general insurance sector, which recorded gross written premiums of KES361 billion in 2023[4], continues to face deep-rooted structural challenges. Among the most persistent issues are delays in claims settlements, a concern frequently linked to misaligned expectations and inadequate documentation. These frustrations are often symptoms of a larger problem, linked to low levels of insurance literacy, particularly in risk-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and construction. Many businesses struggle to fully grasp the nuances of policy coverage and the steps required to ensure successful claims processing.
At the same time, the industry is contending with a new wave of complex risks including cybersecurity threats, environmental, social and governance (ESG) obligations, and growing sustainability demands, which remain poorly understood or entirely overlooked in many insurance strategies. As these threats continue to evolve, the gap between conventional insurance offerings and actual risk exposure widens, leaving many corporates vulnerable and underprepared.
The training demonstrated Minet’s commitment to client education, proactive engagement, and long-term value creation. It also laid the foundation for improved collaboration and more efficient claims handling across the board.