The insurance sector in Kenya has settled claims worth over Ksh.5 billion owing to flood-related damages.

This was revealed during the inaugural insurance CEOs forum that is underway in the capital, bringing together over 300 CEOs from 84 countries to deliberate on the future of the insurance sector.

This as the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) expressed concerns over the liquidity challenges facing some underwriters.

According to Kalai Musee, the IRA’s Senior Manager of Supervision, some investments by several underwriters, particularly in property, have led to liquidity challenges hindering their ability to settle claims.

“We know there are a few companies that could be struggling, and some of them technically because of the economic situation…We have a lot of companies that have invested in properties and you know you can use properties to settle claims. We have been talking to them they address that so that they liquidate the properties,” said Musee.

The economic environment in the country has also been cited as yet another challenge to underwriters' liquidity challenges with unforeseen disasters taking a toll on the sector.

Dr. Hillary Wachinga, CEO, Kenya Reinsurance Corporation, said: “Our economy is facing some liquidity challenges and that makes it difficult to honor financial obligations. Insurance companies are using artificial intelligence to robotic process automation in claims management, meaning the time taken to settle claims has come down now…the point of financial liquidity to honour those obligations is the challenge.”

Underwriters have been urged to work on innovating products that address the dynamic risks they are facing, ranging from natural disasters to cyber threats, and pandemics.

Regional insurance regulators have also been encouraged to ensure companies have sufficient reserves to mitigate, growing losses even as they promote risk reduction through environmental, social, and governance criteria that also encourage green investment.

“We need to harmonise regulation, and we need to have global best practices in the way we approach regulation and our business, this event again is meant to invoke some thought processes but also influence policy,” added Dr. Wachinga.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi noted: “By working together we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential free from the fear of financial ruin due to unexpected events,  because technology has opened up geographic borders…let us also enhance provision of risk solutions that promote cross border trade.”

With an average penetration of 1.6 per cent across the continent, stakeholders have been urged to work on products that will enhance penetration as well as ensure that their product offerings remain sustainable.

The CEOs forum is set be an annual event to help address the gaps that limit penetration across the continent as well as foster collaboration and investment.