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
Floods reshape property market as buyers seek higher grounds for safety
If floods were once a weather headline, they are now a market signal one demanding stronger planning, smarter construction, and property decisions that value resilience as much as price.
New Nation Media Group owner vows to safeguard editorial independence
Tanzanian billionaire Rostam Azizi has vowed to protect the editorial independence of Nation Media Group after his firm, Taarifa Ltd, acquired the AKFED.
Top 10 countries account for 79pc of planned rooms
A record 123,846 rooms across 675 hotels and resorts are set to be built in Africa this year, representing year-on-year growth of 18.6 per cent.
Oil jumps, stocks drop as Mideast war prolongs market volatility
Oil prices rallied and equities largely dropped Wednesday as traders assessed the latest impact for global markets from  the Middle East war.
Wuerth Kenya to close shop after 29 years
Wurth Kenya to formally cease operations in the country on May 2026 after 29 years; asks customers with pending transactions to reach out for finalisation.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS