Civil servants from various national government departments in Uasin Gishu County have been sensitized on the benefits of the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA), Group Personal Accident (GPA), and Last Expense insurance covers, aimed at enhancing their welfare and providing financial protection in the event of injury, disability, or death.
The sensitization forum, held in Eldoret, was conducted by Laser Insurance Brokers (LIB) under an insurance arrangement secured through the State Department for Public Service.
The programme targets public servants and employees of the National Youth Service (NYS), with the three covers designed to complement each other by providing protection against different risks both at the workplace and outside official duties.
Speaking during the forum, LIB team leader and underwriting official Rooney Kiptum said the government had put in place the insurance covers as part of efforts to safeguard the welfare of its employees and their families against the financial consequences of accidents, occupational injuries and death.
Kiptum explained that WIBA primarily provides protection to employees who suffer injuries arising out of and in the course of their employment, including occupational diseases and work-related deaths.
He said the cover provides benefits for temporary total disability, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, medical expenses and death arising from work-related incidents.
Under the temporary total disability benefit, an employee who sustains an injury and is unable to work for a period may be entitled to compensation, subject to the terms of the cover and the employment arrangements in place.
Kiptum said permanent total disability applies where an injury leaves an employee permanently unable to continue working, while permanent partial disability applies where an employee suffers a lasting impairment, but retains some capacity to work.
Medical expenses incurred as a result of a covered workplace injury can also be reimbursed upon submission of the required documentation and evidence of treatment, he added.
He emphasized the importance of prompt reporting of accidents and injuries, advising employees and their colleagues to notify the relevant offices and insurance administrators as soon as possible after an incident occurs.
“Timely notification is very important in the claims process because it enables the necessary documentation and assessment to be undertaken without unnecessary delays,” Kiptum said.
He told the civil servants that the three covers were designed to work hand in hand, with WIBA providing protection for work-related injuries, while the Group Personal Accident cover extends protection to accidental injuries that may occur outside the workplace.
For instance, he said, an employee involved in an accident, while travelling or undertaking private activities away from work may still benefit from the GPA cover, depending on the circumstances and terms of the policy.
The GPA cover provides benefits in cases of accidental death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability and temporary disability. It also caters for certain medical expenses arising from accidental injuries.
Kiptum said one of the key advantages of the GPA cover was its broader protection against accidents occurring beyond the workplace, offering an additional layer of financial security to employees.
He explained that the duration and level of benefits payable under the various covers differ according to the nature of the injury, the extent of disability and the specific provisions of the insurance policy.
The underwriting official also took participants through the claims procedures and the documentation required to process compensation.
Among the documents required for different claims are duly completed claim forms, medical reports and assessment forms, identification documents, employment records and other supporting documents depending on the nature of the claim.
For workplace injury claims, medical assessments and reports by the attending doctor are particularly important in determining the extent of injury and whether the disability is temporary or permanent, he said.
In cases of death, additional documents, including a death certificate and documents identifying the eligible beneficiaries or dependants, may be required.
Kiptum urged public servants to familiarize themselves with the requirements of the insurance covers and ensure that they maintain accurate records of their dependents to avoid complications when a claim arises.
He further highlighted the Last Expense cover, which is intended to provide immediate financial assistance to families following the death of a covered employee or eligible dependant.
The cover, he said, provides death benefits for the employee and extends protection to a spouse and eligible children, subject to the limits and conditions of the policy.
Eligible children are covered within the stipulated age limits, with older children who are still pursuing education required to provide proof of schooling where applicable.
The Last Expense cover is particularly important, Kiptum noted, because it provides families with financial support at a difficult time and helps ease some of the immediate expenses associated with the death of a loved one.
He said the inclusion of dependents under the cover demonstrates the importance of family protection as part of the broader employee welfare programme.
“Insurance is about providing financial security when unforeseen circumstances occur. These covers ensure that an employee and the family are not left without support in the event of an accident, disability or death,” he said.
LIB officials also outlined their role in assisting employees and government institutions throughout the claims process, including providing guidance on the required documentation and liaising with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the processing of claims.
Kiptum said employees should not wait until an accident occurs to seek information about their insurance benefits, urging them to understand the scope of their covers, the exclusions, notification procedures and documentation requirements.
Senior Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) for Pioneer Division, Uasin Gishu, Ali Chireya, who represented the County Commissioner, welcomed the initiative by the government, saying it motivates government employees to deliver in their respective duties bearing in mind that the employer is taking good care of their welfare.
He noted that the sensitization forum presented the civil servants with an opportunity to seek clarification on the interaction between WIBA, GPA and Last Expense covers and the circumstances under which each policy becomes applicable.
Participants were encouraged to take workplace safety seriously and to report accidents and injuries promptly, while also ensuring that their personal and dependants’ information is kept up to date.
The government-backed insurance arrangement is expected to strengthen the social protection and welfare of public servants by cushioning employees and their families against the economic burden that can result from accidents, injuries, disability and death.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
