Insurance Regulatory Authority, IRA {Ultimate Guide}

The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) of Kenya is the sole government agency responsible for regulating, supervising, and developing the insurance industry in the Republic of Kenya.

📝 Key Roles and Functions of IRA

The IRA was established in 2007 under the Insurance Act (Cap. 487) and operates under The National Treasury and Economic Planning. Its main roles include:

• Regulation and Supervision: Ensuring all insurance-related entities (insurers, reinsurers, brokers, agents, etc.) comply with the Insurance Act and other relevant laws.

• Consumer Protection: Safeguarding the interests of policyholders and beneficiaries by:

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  • Handling complaints and investigating disputes between policyholders and insurers.

  • Monitoring market conduct to prevent unfair practices like unjustified claim denials.

  • Promoting public awareness and education on insurance matters.

• Financial Stability: Monitoring the solvency and financial soundness of insurance companies to ensure they maintain adequate capital and reserves to pay claims.

• Industry Development: Promoting the growth, innovation, and expansion of the insurance sector to enhance financial inclusion and contribute to the national economy.

• Licensing: Issuing licenses to all entities and professionals operating in the insurance market.

📞 IRA Contact Information

If you need to contact the IRA for inquiries, feedback, or to lodge a complaint, here are the details:

Functions Performed by IRA

The functions of the Authority are outlined in section 3A of the Insurance Act, CAP 487 as follows:

1. Ensure the effective administration, supervision, regulation and control of insurance and reinsurance business in Kenya
2. Formulate and enforce standards for the conduct of insurance and reinsurance business in Kenya
3. License all persons involved in or connected with insurance business, including insurance and reinsurance companies, insurance and reinsurance intermediaries, loss adjusters and assessors, risk surveyors and valuers
4. Advise the Government on the national policy to be followed in order to ensure adequate insurance protection and security for national assets and national properties
5. Issue supervisory guidelines and prudential standards from time to time, for the better administration of the insurance business of persons licensed under the Insurance Act
6. Conduct inquiries and share information with other regulatory authorities and to carry out any other related activities in furtherance of its supervisory role
7. Educate the public regularly on the right to independently select an underwriter or broker from a list of underwriters or brokers licensed by the Authority
8. Regulate the business of bancassurance offered by banks in the same manner as the ordinary insurance business, including capital requirements and disclosures
9. Undertake such other functions as may be conferred by the Insurance Act or any other written law

IRA Vision:

An effective regulator of an inclusive and globally competitive insurance industry

IRA Mission:

To promote development and stability of the insurance industry, and to protect insurance beneficiaries through effective regulation and supervision

IRA Core Values:

• Integrity – We will serve our customers in an impartial, effective and professional way with the highest ethical standards.
• Innovative – We believe in continuous improvements in the conduct of our business.
• Accountable – We exercise prudence in use of public resources entrusted to IRA.
• Customer Focus – We are committed to achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
• Teamwork – We work effectively with others across functional lines to accomplish objectives.