By Daisy Okanga | The Insurance Regulatory Authority said insurance firms will cover all policy holders affected by the new coronavirus.
Commissioner of Insurance Godfrey Kiptum said the agency was in talks with health insurers and they agreed to cover medical costs of coronavirus victims in the country.
Earlier on, the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) had said the classification of the disease as pandemic indicates that victims will settle their own bills if cases are reported in Kenya.
“If there was to be a major attack, then all insurance companies would close shop. The claims will wipe the insurers out completely. That is why such exclusions are put in insurance policies,” said Tom Gichuhi, the AKI chief executive.
The virus has gripped fear globally and the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the disease a pandemic.
Kenya reported its first case of the coronavirus on Friday even as the country remains on high alert in the wake of the disease spreading in 13 African countries.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Mutahi Kagwe early Friday confirmed a female Kenyan citizen to have COVID-19 infection. The lady is said to have jetted back into the country from the United States via London.
The lady is said to be under quarantine at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Infectious Disease Isolation unit.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Health sent a rapid response team to Ongata Rongai where the lady infected with COVID-19 comes from
“We have embarked on a contract tracing for all persons who have been in contact with her,” Kagwe said “We have sent a rapid response team to Ongata Rongai area where she lives for that purpose. There should be no panic,” he said.
