New deal to enable taxi drivers access medical cover

With medical insurance penetration in Kenya still below 10 per cent, largely due to high costs and limited accessibility, a groundbreaking initiative has been launched to address this critical gap. 

A tripartite agreement signed in Nairobi between Little Cab in partnership with Maisha Poa Insurance and BirdView Insurance introduces Mfanisi Go, a transformative health insurance solution crafted specifically for digital taxi drivers in Kenya.

Drivers on the Little Cab platform are set to benefit from the new health insurance plan.

The scheme is expected to reach over 150,000 drivers.

Health insurance coverage in Kenya remains low, especially among informal sector workers.

According to recent data, fewer than 10 percent of Kenyans have active medical insurance, mainly due to high premiums, limited flexibility, and a lack of awareness.

For most drivers operating on digital platforms, unpredictable incomes and lack of employer-based benefits make it difficult to enroll in traditional health plans.

Mfanisi Go seeks to address these challenges. Drivers will pay as little as Sh82 per day or Sh493 per week, with the amount deducted directly from their trip earnings.

This structure allows them to spread the cost over an eight-month period, without the burden of lump-sum payments.

The cover includes access to over 100 hospitals and clinics in urban areas and allows up to five dependents to be included under a single policy.

Enrollment and claims are handled through the Little app, eliminating paperwork and allowing drivers to manage their cover on the go.

A built-in telemedicine feature also enables them to consult doctors remotely at no extra cost.

The product is underwritten by BirdView Insurance and structured by Maisha Poa Insurance, both of whom say the deal represents a step toward inclusive insurance solutions for informal workers.

The launch of Mfanisi Go reflects a growing interest in tailoring financial services to meet the needs of workers in Kenya’s expanding digital and informal sectors.