Thousands of domestic workers and people earning a living in Kenya’s informal sector are set to benefit from a new low-cost medical insurance cover launched by Britam Connect, as the insurer seeks to make healthcare more accessible to a group that has traditionally been left out of formal insurance.

The new product, known as Bima ya Wafanyikazi, starts at Ksh 336 per month and is designed to provide medical protection for domestic workers, casual labourers, gardeners, cleaners, nannies, security guards, artisans, and other workers who often operate without formal employment contracts or employer-sponsored medical cover.

The insurance cover is underwritten by Britam and will be distributed through Minet Kenya Insurance Brokers, allowing both individuals and employers to sign up with ease. Registered worker associations can also enrol their members, allowing groups of workers to access healthcare at affordable rates.

The launch comes at a time when many Kenyans continue to struggle with rising healthcare costs. While the country has made progress in expanding health insurance through the Social Health Authority (SHA), many informal workers still lack comprehensive medical cover and often pay for treatment directly from their own pockets.

According to estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), more than 90 per cent of domestic workers in Kenya do not have medical insurance. Most are employed under informal arrangements that offer little financial security, leaving them exposed whenever illness or accidents strike.

The new insurance package aims to bridge that gap by offering several benefits under one plan. Members will have access to inpatient and outpatient treatment, maternity care, dental services, optical care, and a last expense benefit that provides financial support to families during difficult times.

Britam Connect Chief Executive Officer Evah Kimani said many workers delay seeking treatment because of financial challenges, allowing minor illnesses to develop into more serious medical conditions that become even more expensive to treat.

She said the new product was created to help workers access healthcare early while protecting families from unexpected medical bills that can easily disrupt household finances. By combining outpatient and inpatient treatment with maternity, dental and optical services under one affordable package, the insurer hopes more workers will seek medical care before their conditions worsen.

“For many domestic and informal workers, there is very little room for life’s disruptions. An illness,injury or even a few days away from work can quickly place pressure on household finances. Bima Ya Wafanyikazi is anchored on holistic healthcare, bringing together outpatient and inpatient care, maternity, dental and optical benefits, as well as annual health check-ups, so workers can seek care earlier, stay healthier and face fewer financial shocks when illness strikes,” she said.

Healthcare experts have long argued that access to affordable insurance is one of the biggest challenges facing Kenya’s informal economy, which employs the majority of the country’s workforce. Many workers earn irregular incomes, making traditional insurance products difficult to afford or maintain.

Employers who hire domestic workers also stand to benefit from the new cover. Providing medical insurance can help improve workers’ well-being, reduce absenteeism caused by untreated illnesses, and promote healthier working environments. It also reflects growing awareness of the need to extend workplace benefits beyond employees in the formal sector.

The introduction of Bima ya Wafanyikazi also supports Kenya’s broader push toward universal health coverage by encouraging more people outside formal employment to obtain medical protection. Insurance providers have increasingly been developing flexible products with lower premiums to attract customers whose incomes fluctuate from month to month.

Minet Kenya CEO Sammy Muthui said the partnership combines Minet’s distribution capability with Britam Connect’s expertise in inclusive insurance to deliver a solution that addresses a genuine market need.

“Insurance should solve real problems. We spent a great deal of time listening to our customers and understanding their evolving needs. One message came through clearly: there is a significant gap in healthcare protection for Kenya’s informal workforce, and it is a gap that demands innovative solutions. Together with Britam, we have combined our strengths to create a solution that will make a meaningful difference for thousands of Kenyan workers and their families,” he said.

The launch builds on Britam Connect’s leadership in inclusive insurance by developing solutions that help improve access to healthcare, promote decent work and reduce inequalities by making medical cover available to people who have traditionally been excluded.

To get started, contact Minet Insurance Brokers on 0719044000 or email [email protected]

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