Britam Launches A Medical Cover For Kenyan Hustlers

Kenya’s nearly 2 million domestic workers, together with many others who make up the over 15 million employed by the informal sector, can now access a medical cover specifically designed for their income level, following the launch of Bima ya Wafanyikazi by Britam and distributed by Minet Kenya.

Starting at KSh336 a month, the cover can be purchased by individual domestic workers, their employers or registered worker associations, widening access to healthcare protection for a segment that has traditionally had limited access to insurance. It will provide inpatient, outpatient, maternity, dental and optical services in Britam’s 600 partner facilities across the country, in addition to last expense benefits.

The domestic sector is one of the country’s largest sources of employment outside agriculture and small-scale trade.  Many also work in informal or semi-formal arrangements, often without written contracts or adequate financial protection, leaving them particularly vulnerable when illness or medical emergencies strike.

Britam Connect CEO and Principal Officer, Evah Kimani, said the launch reflects the company’s commitment to designing insurance solutions around the everyday realities of underserved communities.

“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.

Minet Kenya Deputy Director-Commercial, Gideon Bii, 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 not only expands access to affordable healthcare, but also advances financial inclusion by protecting workers from the financial impact of unexpected medical expenses,” he said.

Bima ya Wafanyikazi aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by promoting access to quality healthcare and strengthening social protection for Kenya’s informal workforce.

It is also part of Britam’s and Minet’s shared ambition to help increase the penetration of insurance in Kenya, which currently hovers around 2.4%, far below continental peers like South Africa at over 11.5%.

Read Also: Britam Posts 8% Rise In Pre-Tax Profit to Ksh 7.9 Billion For FY 2025