IRA declares closure of Directline Assurance Company null and void

Business
By Edwin Nyarangi | Jun 11, 2024
IRA CEO Godfrey Kiptum during the Continental Reinsurance 10 years anniversary Celebrations, on Thursday, October 11 2018. [David Njaaga, Standard]

The Insurance Regulatory Authority(IRA) has termed as null and void communication made by Royal Credit Limited in regards to the operations of Directline Assurance Company.

IRA CEO Godfrey Kiptum in statement issued to newsrooms said that the purported actions are null and devoid of any legal effect and as such the insurer continues in full operation as licensed and approved by the Authority.

Kiptum said that the purported transfer of the assets of Directline Assurance Company associated with Royal Media Services Chairman Samuel Kamau Macharia to any third party is therefore null and void.

"All policies issued by Directline Assurance Company Limited remain in full force and effect and the insurer remains liable for any claims arising there from," said Kiptum.

The IRA CEO directed that All policyholders of the insurer may continue with their operations in accordance with their insurance contracts.

He said that IRA has the sole statutory mandate to approve, suspend or cancel the operations of any insurance company in Kenya and this duty cannot be usurped by any unauthorized party.

Kiptum said that the insurer has been placed under heightened surveillance by the Authority which will take necessary steps as may be appropriate, pursuant to the provisions of the Insurance Act, CAP 487 Laws of Kenya.

"This is to ensure sustainability of the insurer and protection of insurance policyholders' interests," said Kiptum.

Macharia who is also the Chairman of Royal Credit Limited announced yesterday that Directline Assurance Company which commands the largest share of the Public Service Vehicle Insurance has ceased its operations in the country.

Macharia in a statement aired on Citizen Television on Monday night said the company had stopped offering services and terminated its staff contracts with all assets owned by Directline being taken over by Royal Credit Limited.

"The latest decision has been occasioned due to all the closure of all Directline Assurance Company bank accounts by the Insurance Regulatory Authority," said Macharia.

Share this story
Will Kenyan workers survive AI jobs onslaught?
For an economy not only struggling to create new jobs but also safeguard the ones in place, any conversation about adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) leaves a bad taste in the mouth of workers.
CBK seeks powers to enforce Anti-Money Laundering compliance
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is seeking powers to regulate, supervise and enforce compliance for Anti-Money Laundering under the Microfinance Bill 2026.
The future of our workforce depends on the skills we build today
I met Yusuf, a young online delivery rider relying on customers he picked up at the stage. But after acquiring a smartphone, he began using digital platforms to access delivery jobs.
Letter from Murang'a's quiet Giatutu area and the few agri-innovations
Some places look far yet are near. One such place is Giatutu in Muranga’s Location One or Loco 1. I have wondered why this unique location naming system was discontinued.
Elon Musk's chip that can perform Jesus-level miracles and who controls the switch?
Twenty-one people worldwide are living with  Neuralink's Telepathy chip in their brains. People with quadriplegia, ALS, and spinal cord injuries are controlling computers through thought alone.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS