Kenyans urged to re-evaluate their insurance coverage amid escalating climate related risks

Kenyans are being encouraged to review their risk management and consider comprehensive insurance to protect against rising climate, property, and business risks.

 

As climate volatility, urban crime, and public disruptions rise across Kenya, insurance industry stakeholders are urging individuals, families, and institutions to immediately review their insurance portfolios.

 

“Insurance remains an effective financial safety net only when secured before a risk manifests into a claim,” says Stephen Lokonyo, Managing Director of First Assurance.

 

“As Kenya navigates changing weather patterns and shifting urban crime trends, proper coverage does not prevent unexpected events, but it successfully stops individuals and businesses from bearing the full financial devastation alone,” he adds.

 

The current rainy season has severely disrupted movement and damaged property, exposing motorists to heavy financial losses.

 

Beyond navigating flooded roads, car owners in Nairobi and other urban hubs face a surge in the theft of specific vehicle parts—particularly Toyota Harrier grilles and bumpers destined for the illicit spare parts market.

 

“A comprehensive motor policy is critical for vehicle owners, especially those parking in open areas or driving high-demand models,” Lokonyo notes.

 

This necessity for structured protection extends heavily into community, learning and religious institutions—including schools, colleges, churches, and mosques—carry complex, multi-layered risks daily.

 

They are responsible not just for sprawling physical infrastructure, but also for expensive laboratory equipment, sound systems, furniture, and the physical safety of students, staff, and visitors.

 

“When these spaces face storms, burglary, or accidental liability claims,reliance on community goodwill or ad-hoc fundraisers is no longer a viable strategy,” Lokonyo explains.

 

“Multi-peril institutional packages, such as First Assurance’s Bima Taasisi, offer a pragmatic framework by consolidating property, burglary, and liability cover into a single plan designed to weather both
environmental and social turbulence.”

 

Culturally, many Kenyans prioritize insuring their motor vehicles while leaving their primary sanctuary—the home—entirely exposed. Yet, a household represents decades of hard work, filled with electronics,
furniture, clothing, and irreplaceable personal assets.

 

“Domestic insurance provides a vital safety net against leaking roofs, electrical fires, and rainy-season break-ins,” says Lokonyo.

 

Importantly, this risk is not confined to property owners. For tenants, landlord’s policy strictly covers the structural brick and mortar, leaving the renters personal belongings completely exposed.

 

“Tailored domestic policies ensure that a single localized disaster does not erase years of household investment for families and renters alike,” Lokonyo concludes.