Over 10,000 Rural Kenyans Insured as Digital Partnership Breaks Barriers in Microinsurance
Friday, 22nd August 2025, Tala: Over 10,000 rural Kenyans have taken up micro-insurance policies in the past 9 months, marking a major milestone in the country’s push to expand financial protection through digital platforms.
The growth has been driven by a pioneering digital microinsurance partnership between Old Mutual Kenya, BIMAS Kenya and DDFinance, signaling a shift in how affordable coverage reaches underserved communities. In 2024, the three organisations entered into a strategic partnership to offer affordable digital micro-insurance solutions to underserved communities, especially targeting Kenyans living outside the major urban centres. The partnership leverages technology to enhance efficiency, reduce barriers to access, and strengthen the safety net for low-income households.
Speaking during an event to celebrate the 10,000th policyholder, BIMAS Kenya CEO Dr. Patrick Gathondu said: “Insurance is a critical tool for resilience, and we believe everyone deserves access to it regardless of income level. Our partnership with DDFinance and Old Mutual has made this vision a reality”.
Under the partnership, low-income earners, Kenyans in the informal sector (jua Kali), micro-entrepreneurs, farmers, and domestic workers are targeted through a digital platform on their mobile devices.
Old Mutual Kenya General Manager – Life Distribution, Evans Manduku said the partnership leverages digital partnerships to speed microinsurance uptake in the country. He also underscored the need for insurance protection, noting that product innovation based on customers’ needs and improved distribution via digitalization are key factors driving the uptake of microinsurance solutions in Kenya.
“For low-income households and MSMEs, an unexpected illness, accident, or loss can wipe out years of hard work. Microinsurance provides a safety net that turns these shocks into manageable setbacks rather than life-changing crises. Through this partnership, we are making sure rural families can face the future with greater certainty, dignity, and peace of mind,” said Evans Manduku, GM – Old Mutual Life Assurance (K).
Kenya’s insurance penetration remains below 3%, with rural and informal sector workers often excluded from traditional coverage. This initiative directly supports the country’s national agenda to expand financial inclusion and resilience.
“This is what innovation looks like when technology meets purpose,” said Jan Martin, Founder and CEO at DDFinance. “We are digitizing protection and delivering it where it matters most.”
The partnership utilizes DDFinance’s Insurance Platform-as-a-Service (IPaaS) to automate policy enrolment, premium collection, and claims processing. Old Mutual Kenya provides product expertise and underwriting capacity, while BIMAS delivers trusted community-level access through its branch network across the country.
The event also honored the 10,000th Policyholder, Top-performing Sales Officers at BIMAS, and customers who have benefited from insurance claims. Among them was a small business owner from Tala who shared how a recent hospital claim allowed her to recover and resume operations.
“I never imagined I would face such a tragedy, but when my husband passed on after an accident, BIMAS microinsurance became my lifeline. It settled the hospital bills and gave me dignity by supporting the funeral costs. I will never forget the relief it brought me.” Jane said.
This initiative aligns with Kenya’s national agenda to increase insurance penetration and promote financial inclusion, particularly among informal and rural communities.