Paul Arithi 
The Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI)Awards, organised by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI), celebrated outstanding achievements among insurance companies and insurance sales agents.
The insurance industry converged in Nairobi on Friday 7th March 2025 to honour top performers at the prestigious AKI Awards for the period 1 January to 31 December 2024.
The 2024 ceremony saw APA Insurance clinch the General Insurance Company of the Year Award, while Britam scooped the Life Insurance Company of the Year Award. Absa Life Insurance secured the Group Life Insurance Company of the Year Award.
These awards acknowledge the companies with the highest number of qualified agents and the highest aggregate points across Life and General Insurance categories.
A total of 22 insurance companies participated in the competition.
Among individual accolades, Mr. Peter Kungu from ICEA LION was named the General Insurance Agent of the Year having sold 76 policies valued at Ksh3 Million. Mr. Alfed Mathu from Absa Life won the Life Insurance New Business Award, having sold an impressive 427 policies valued at Ksh194.7 million.
Mrs. Jayshree Mansukh dominated the Life Insurance Persistency award category for the fourth consecutive year by maintaining a 100% customer retention rate for three years. Persistency award honours agents who have maintained at least 75% of their customers for three years.
As the event coincided with International Women’s Day celebrations, AKI Chairman, Mr. Nixon Shigoli highlighted the significant presence of women in insurance sales. “Out of 1,083 qualifying insurance sales agents in the 2024 competition, an impressive 66% are women, with men making up 34%,”he stated.
Industry statistics underscore the critical role of agents, with life insurance agents contributing about 80% of individual life business, while general insurance agents drive 50% of general insurance business.
Despite the dominance of women in sales, gender disparity persists in top leadership roles. Mr. Shigoli pointed out that among 55 insurance companies and five re-insurers, the male-to-female leadership ratio remains at 80:20, urging companies to take deliberate action to enhance female representation in leadership and strategic decision-making.
Speaking at the event, IRA Commissioner, Mr. Godfrey Kiptum emphasized the insurance sector’s potential for job creation and industry expansion. “In 2024, there were over 11,550 licensed insurance agents.
This profession holds immense potential for young people, offering a pathway to employment and an opportunity to increase insurance penetration across Kenya,” he remarked, encouraging youth to consider careers in insurance sales.
To celebrate excellence, AKI partnered with ViuTravel to reward winning agents with travel vouchers to breathtaking destinations across Kenya.
