Kenyans to treat themselves, IRA and AKI fight over coronavirus medical cover -Insurance

Coronavirus screening centre at an airport.

The government says coronavirus patients will be given treatment according to their medical cover and policy. The government has distance itself from patient treatments.


Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) has assured all policy-holders and the public of the insurance industry’s support in combating the virus.


Mr Adbirahin Abdi, the IRA chairman says the insured will be fully covered. The Health CS Mutahi Kagwe announced the first case of coronavirus in Kenya. Later, the CS added that all NHIF assured will be covered by their policy.

Commissioner of Insurance Godfrey Kiptum said the agency was in talks with health insurers and they agreed to cover medical costs of coronavirus victims in the country.


Standard medical insurance typically excludes epidemics and pandemics.
Earlier this week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the disease a pandemic.


In contrast with the IRA statement, the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) had  said the classification of the disease as pandemic indicates that victims will settle their own bills in the cases reported in Kenya opposed to the IRA statement.


To all Kenyans, make sure you have a medical emergency fund in case you contract the disease. The people will be treating themselves.

The big question is to the ones who have no medical insurance or any medical cover, who will support them in case of contracting the virus?