Licensed Insurance Companies in Kenya 2026
Insurance companies in Kenya must be licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority before they can legally transact insurance business in the country. The Insurance Regulatory Authority, commonly known as IRA, is the government agency responsible for regulating, supervising and developing Kenya’s insurance industry.
The authority was established under the Insurance Act, CAP 487 of the Laws of Kenya. One of its key responsibilities is licensing insurance companies, reinsurers, intermediaries and other insurance service providers.
Pursuant to Section 184 of the Insurance Act, the Commissioner of Insurance publishes the list of companies licensed to transact insurance business in Kenya. Below is the list of licensed insurance companies in Kenya as of 2026.
Licensed General Insurance Companies in Kenya
General insurance companies provide non-life insurance products. These include motor insurance, medical insurance, property insurance, travel insurance, marine insurance, liability covers, personal accident insurance and business insurance.
The licensed general insurance companies in Kenya are:
- AAR Insurance (Kenya) Limited
- Africa Merchant Assurance Company Limited
- APA Insurance Limited
- Britam General Insurance Company (K) Limited
- Bupa Global Insurance Limited
- Cannon General Insurance Company Limited
- CIC General Insurance Limited
- Directline Assurance Company Limited
- Definite Assurance Company Limited
- Equity General Insurance (Kenya) Limited
- Equity Health Insurance (Kenya) Limited
- Fidelity Shield Insurance Company Limited
- First Assurance Company Limited
- GA Insurance Limited
- Geminia Insurance Company Limited
- ICEA LION General Insurance Company Limited
- Intra Africa Assurance Company Limited
- Jubilee Health Insurance Limited
- Kenindia Assurance Company Limited
- Kenya Orient Insurance Limited
- Madison General Insurance Kenya Limited
- Mayfair Insurance Company Limited
- MUA Insurance (Kenya) Limited
- NCBA Insurance Company Limited
- Occidental Insurance Company Limited
- Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya Limited
- Pacis Insurance Company Limited
- Pioneer General Insurance Limited
- Sanlam Allianz General Insurance (Kenya) Limited
- Star Discover Insurance Limited
- Takaful Insurance of Africa Limited
- Tausi Assurance Company Limited
- The Heritage Insurance Company Limited
- The Kenyan Alliance Insurance Company Limited
- The Monarch Insurance Company Limited
Licensed Long-Term Life Insurance Companies in Kenya
Long-term insurance companies, also known as life insurance companies, provide products such as life assurance, education policies, pension-related products, investment-linked insurance, funeral cover and other long-term protection plans.
The licensed long-term insurance companies in Kenya are:
- ABSA Life Assurance Kenya Limited
- APA Life Assurance Limited
- Britam Life Assurance Company (K) Limited
- Cannon Life Assurance (K) Limited
- Capex Life Assurance Company Limited
- CIC Life Assurance Limited
- Equity Life Assurance (Kenya) Limited
- GA Life Assurance Limited
- Geminia Life Insurance Company Limited
- ICEA LION Life Assurance Company Limited
- Jubilee Life Insurance Limited
- Kenindia Assurance Company Limited
- Kenya Orient Life Assurance Limited
- Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited
- Madison Life Assurance Kenya Limited
- Old Mutual Life Assurance Kenya Limited
- Pioneer Assurance Company Limited
- Prudential Life Assurance Kenya Limited
- Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance (Kenya) Limited
- Star Discover Life Insurance Limited
- The Kenyan Alliance Insurance Company Limited
- The Monarch Insurance Company Limited
Licensed Reinsurance Companies in Kenya
Reinsurance companies provide insurance for insurers. They help insurance companies manage large risks by sharing part of the risk exposure. This allows insurers to remain financially stable when handling major claims.
The licensed reinsurance companies in Kenya are:
- Continental Reinsurance Limited
- East Africa Reinsurance Company Limited
- Ghana Reinsurance Company (Kenya) Limited
- Kenya Reinsurance Corporation Limited
- WAICA Reinsurance (Kenya) Limited
Why IRA Licensing Matters
IRA licensing is important because it helps protect policyholders and promotes confidence in the insurance sector. A licensed insurer is required to meet regulatory standards before offering insurance products to the public.
Before buying an insurance policy, customers should confirm that the company is licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority. This is especially important when buying motor insurance, medical cover, life insurance, business insurance or any long-term policy.
Buying insurance from an unlicensed provider can expose customers to serious risks, including rejected claims, loss of premiums and lack of regulatory protection.
How to Confirm Whether an Insurer Is Licensed
You can confirm whether an insurance company is licensed by checking the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s official list of licensed entities.
You may also contact IRA directly if you are unsure about an insurer, intermediary, broker or insurance product.
Insurance Regulatory Authority Contacts
Insurance Regulatory Authority
Zep-Re Place, Longonot Road
Upper Hill, Nairobi, Kenya
Mobile: 0719 047 000 / 0727 563 110
Email: [email protected]
Complaints Email: [email protected]
Final Word
The licensed insurance companies in Kenya for 2026 include general insurers, long-term life insurers and reinsurance companies approved by the Insurance Regulatory Authority.
Anyone buying insurance in Kenya should always confirm that the provider is licensed before paying premiums or signing a policy document. This helps protect policyholders and ensures that the insurer operates under Kenya’s insurance laws and regulatory standards.
