An advisor with Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya has been named General Insurance Person of the Year at the 2026 industry awards organised by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI), highlighting the growing importance of distribution networks in driving insurance penetration in the country.
Beatrice Kariuki, a financial advisor at the insurer, received the top recognition during the 2026 AKI Awards held in Nairobi on Friday evening. The annual awards recognise professionals and institutions contributing to the growth of Kenya’s insurance sector.
The accolade places Kariuki among the country’s top-performing agents after she achieved the highest national aggregate score based on the number of policies sold and the premiums generated during the review period.
Industry analysts say the recognition reflects the central role that individual agents continue to play in expanding access to insurance in Kenya, where penetration levels remain relatively low compared to global averages.
Performance Across Key Insurance Segments
According to the awards organisers, Kariuki secured the highest weighted points nationally for policy count and premium volumes generated during the evaluation period.
She also won the Premium Volume category, recognising the highest score achieved in new business across the country.
In addition, Kariuki was named second runner-up in the Emerging Insurance Markets category, reflecting her performance in expanding insurance coverage across 12 emerging market segments.
The award categories are designed to recognise agents who demonstrate strong customer engagement, product knowledge and the ability to grow insurance adoption among individuals and businesses.
Executives at Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya said the recognition reflects the role advisors play in connecting customers with risk protection solutions across the economy.
“We are proud of Beatrice for this remarkable achievement. Her dedication to serving customers and helping them secure the protection they need reflects the professionalism and impact our advisors bring to the industry,” said Japheth Ogalloh, Managing Director of Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya.
Growth in Policy Sales
During 2025, Kariuki facilitated the sale of a significant volume of policies across multiple insurance segments.
Her portfolio included coverage across major product categories such as motor insurance, medical insurance, small and medium enterprise (SME) protection, corporate insurance and personal insurance solutions including domestic packages.
Clients served through her advisory network ranged from individual households to SMEs and corporate organisations.
Such product lines are among the most important drivers of premium growth in Kenya’s general insurance market, particularly as businesses seek to protect assets and manage operational risks.
Industry executives say advisors who operate across multiple client segments help broaden the reach of insurers beyond traditional urban markets.
Expanding Insurance Distribution
Insurance firms in Kenya are increasingly investing in agent networks, digital platforms and partnerships to expand market reach.
The model allows insurers to serve customers ranging from households and informal businesses to large corporates that require tailored risk solutions.
Advisors such as Kariuki play a key role in educating clients about insurance coverage and helping them identify policies suited to their needs.
The distribution strategy is particularly important in Kenya, where the insurance penetration rate has historically remained below global averages despite steady growth in recent years.
Industry players argue that improving access to insurance products for SMEs and households is critical for strengthening financial resilience across the economy.
Other Award Winners
The awards ceremony also recognised several other high-performing agents across different product segments.
Dorcas Awino won the Personal Accident (PA) Product Category Award and was also recognised among the Top Twenty Agents nationwide.
Stephen Mogaka emerged winner in the Emerging Insurance Markets category, while Sylvia Kajwiri was honoured for consistent performance and also secured a place among the Top Twenty Agents in the country.
The Association of Kenya Insurers said the awards highlight individuals and institutions contributing to innovation, customer service and growth in the sector.
Role of Insurance in Kenya’s Economy
Kenya’s insurance sector plays an increasingly important role in supporting economic activity by helping individuals and businesses manage financial risks.
Insurance coverage protects assets, enables investment and helps organisations recover from unexpected events such as accidents, natural disasters and operational disruptions.
The sector includes a broad range of products spanning motor insurance, health insurance, agricultural coverage, property protection and liability policies.
Despite steady growth, insurance penetration in Kenya remains relatively modest compared with developed markets, creating opportunities for insurers to expand services to underserved segments.
Industry associations and regulators have been encouraging companies to develop products suited to SMEs, farmers and informal businesses, which represent a large portion of the economy.
Old Mutual’s Market Strategy
Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya, part of the wider Old Mutual Limited group, has been expanding its insurance solutions across multiple sectors of the Kenyan economy.
The company offers coverage for agriculture, SMEs, retail customers and corporate clients, as insurers respond to evolving risks affecting households and businesses.
Among the emerging risks identified by insurers are climate-related events, including floods and droughts, as well as changing business environments that require specialised coverage.
Industry players are also increasing investment in digital platforms to simplify policy purchase, claims processing and customer engagement.
For insurers, expanding distribution networks while maintaining strong advisory services is seen as a key strategy for increasing insurance adoption and strengthening long-term market growth.
