In a bold move to bridge Kenya’s insurance gap and make healthcare more accessible to low-income earners, tech-driven insurance firm MaishaPoa, in partnership with Little and Badge Insurance, has unveiled a new medical cover tailored specifically for drivers and underserved populations.
Speaking at the launch, John Paul, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MaishaPoa, said the micro-insurance product dubbed Mufanisi Go allows users to pay for insurance on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, catering especially to workers who earn irregular incomes.
“Take the case of Little cab drivers who earn daily, so we’ve made it possible for them to also pay their insurance premiums daily. We are using advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to simplify claims, identify clients positively, and reduce fraud,” said Paul, adding that the cover also ensures access to hospitals across major urban areas, with plans to expand to every county.
According to the CEO, the initiative aims to empower and dignify underserved communities, including domestic workers and small-scale traders, by ensuring they have access to inclusive and affordable healthcare.
“This is the first health cover in Kenya that does not exclude any illness, including chronic conditions like diabetes as patients can seek treatment without being turned away,” he affirmed.
Concurrently, Fred Okwaro, Deputy CEO Craft Silicon Campus, described the cover as a milestone in driver welfare, ensuring peace of mind for both drivers and their families.
He explained that the product covers up to five dependents, and payments can be made flexibly over eight months.
“When drivers are on the road, we want them to focus on their safety and not worry about hospital bills. We have 150,000 drivers and aim to onboard as many as possible within the first month,” stated Okwaro.
Meanwhile, insurance coverage begins immediately upon registration, with a uniform annual premium structure regardless of payment intervals.
Also, drivers can enroll through the Little app or contact the company’s 24-hour support centre, which promises dispute resolution within 30 minutes.
On innovation and inclusivity, Elias Omondi, Principal Innovation for Resilience at Financial and Sector Deepening Africa, praised MaishaPoa for developing a solution that addresses the widening protection gap in Kenya, noting that many households spend up to half their income on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
“This is not just a product; it’s a transformative tool for financial resilience. We’ve helped shape a solution that integrates automation, affordability, and AI-driven access to health services,” asserted Omondi.
The platform, described as fintech at your fingertips, allows users to activate coverage by paying as little as Sh82 daily, with access to full benefits from the first payment.
In her remarks, Nyawira Maina, regional corporate manager at Little Cabs, clarified that if a user defaults on payments, the cover is suspended until the outstanding balance is cleared, after which full service resumes.
Representing Birdview Insurance, the underwriting partner, Richard Muiru, founder and director, said Badge focuses on low-income populations, ensuring affordability and easy access through four-minute mobile onboarding. “We have the lowest premiums in the market and employ cutting-edge technology, such as facial recognition in hospitals, to simplify patient identification,” reported Muiru.
He emphasized that the product’s low cost, technology-driven systems, and inclusive nature make it one of the most competitive in the country.
The Mufanisi Go initiative is part of a growing wave of inclusive financial products leveraging digital platforms to bring previously excluded Kenyans into the insurance ecosystem, promising to reshape healthcare accessibility for the working majority.
By Naif Rashid
