Liberty Kenya has launched two new health insurance products aimed at addressing long-standing coverage gaps affecting elderly Kenyans and children in institutional care.
The new offerings—HeriAfya Seniors and HeriAfya Juniors—are regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and mark the insurer’s entry into segments that have traditionally been excluded from private underwriting.
Low Insurance Uptake Still a Major Challenge
The launch comes at a time when health insurance penetration in Kenya remains low.
Private health insurance covers only about 4% of the population, with most insured individuals relying on the Social Health Authority.
Overall insurance penetration stood at approximately 2.3% of GDP in 2023, according to IRA and KNBS data—significantly below the global average. This figure declined further to 2.2% in H1 2025, compared to a global average of 7.4%, according to the Allianz Global Insurance Report 2025.
The elderly and children in institutional care remain among the least protected groups within the system.
HeriAfya Seniors: Cover for Older Kenyans
HeriAfya Seniors targets individuals aged 61 to 85, a demographic often declined by private insurers.
The product is structured into three age bands: 61–70, 71–80, and 81–85, with premiums adjusted accordingly.
Inpatient cover begins at KES 500,000 annually, with entry-level premiums starting at KES 40,500 per year, rising alongside higher cover limits of up to KES 5 million.
The plan includes:
- Coverage for pre-existing and chronic conditions (after 12-month waiting period)
- Cancer treatment
- Psychiatric and psychotherapy services
- COVID-19 cover
- Funeral expense benefits
- Home care for 30 days post-discharge
Spouses are charged at approximately 85% of the principal premium, while dependents can be added up to age 23 with proof of full-time education.
Outpatient cover is available as an optional add-on ranging from KES 50,000 to KES 350,000 annually, with instalment payment options through partner banks.
HeriAfya Juniors: Institutional Cover for Children
HeriAfya Juniors introduces a first-of-its-kind institutional health cover model for children in Kenya.
Unlike traditional plans, the policy is taken up by institutions such as schools, orphanages, children’s homes, and NGOs, covering groups of at least 10 children aged between 4 and 18.
Inpatient premiums start at KES 8,929 per child annually for a KES 500,000 cover limit—equivalent to under KES 750 per month.
Key features include:
- Cancer treatment
- HIV/AIDS cover
- Mental health services
- Organ transplant cover
- Career and Wellness Day for emotional and developmental support
Outpatient cover is available at KES 15,403 per child annually for a KES 50,000 limit.
Addressing a Critical Protection Gap
“Kenya’s institutional sector has grown significantly, and the complexity of healthcare costs has increased in parallel,” said Rosalyn Mugoh, Managing Director, Heritage Insurance Kenya.
She added that the products were designed to address underserved populations:
“We identified a clear protection gap affecting two of the most vulnerable populations in our society: our elderly, who are routinely excluded from private health cover, and children in institutional care, whose protection has been left to chance.”
Turning Catastrophic Costs Into Predictable Premiums
The products are designed to reduce exposure to unpredictable medical expenses.
For example, cancer treatment can exceed KES 500,000, while a single ICU admission can severely strain household or institutional budgets.
By converting such risks into structured annual premiums, the plans aim to improve financial predictability for families and organisations.
Positioned for a Growing Insurance Market
Kenya’s health insurance market is projected to reach approximately US$448.45 million in gross written premiums by 2025, with steady growth expected through 2030.
Liberty Kenya’s dual-product strategy positions the company to tap into two relatively untapped segments: elderly individuals and institutional child care systems—both of which remain largely underrepresented in traditional insurance portfolios.
