By MaryAnne Musilo

In a single night in Ruiru, Kiambu County, thieves stole all three of armer Beth King’ori’s Friesian cows. But one was insured, and she got a nearly Sh100,000 payout.

“I insured one cow just to see how it goes, but I had three. This is after an insurance agent enticed me. I wanted to learn the process first, and I’d heard negative stories about insurance,” said Beth.

That insured cow was producing about 30 litres of milk a day. Losing it, along with the other two, wiped out her main source of income.

“I was devastated after my cows were stolen. Yet, when I submitted a claim for the insured animal, including a vet inspection, police report, and claim forms, the insurance company honoured the policy,” she said.

It took about eight months for the insurer to pay the claim in full. “I actually regretted not having insured all three,” said Beth, who had been paying about Sh300 a month for the policy.

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Livestock insurance in Kenya usually costs the equivalent of Sh270 to Sh460 a month for a cow insured at Sh100,000. But despite the small monthly payments, fewer than five in every 100 farmers take out cover, according to government and industry estimates, even though farming accounts for over 30 per cent of the country’s economy. 

Many farmers avoid insurance because of mistrust, bad stories from neighbours, or doubts over whether the payouts will come.

“It took around eight months for the insurance company to pay. That was slow, but it proved that insurance works, if you trust the process and keep good records,” Beth said.

While waiting for the claim, she borrowed money from friends and family to keep going. When the payout came, it helped her stay in business.

She now has two cows — and both are fully insured. “I’ll never leave a new animal uninsured,” she said. “Despite my caution at first, it’s the most prudent investment I’ve made.”