Dynamique Insurance Brokers Ltd Managing Director Mildred Kauso, Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) National Chairman Fredrick Aloo, and Britam Chief Executive Officer, General Insurance, James Mbithi. Photo/courtesy.
The Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) has rolled out a Digital Marine Cargo Insurance (DMCI) platform ahead of the implementation of mandatory marine cargo insurance requirements that take effect on July 1, 2026.
The platform was developed in partnership with insurance companies including APA General Insurance, Britam General Insurance, CIC General Insurance, Old Mutual General Insurance, Pacis Insurance and Dynamique. It is also integrated with eCitizen and government systems used in customs clearance and payment processing.
According to KIFWA, the digital platform enables importers and clearing agents to obtain marine cargo insurance certificates online while connecting with payment channels and regulatory systems including eCitizen, the Kenya Revenue Authority’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS), M-Pesa, participating banks and other government platforms.
The association said the system is expected to reduce manual processing by allowing real-time premium payments, digital certificate verification and automated processing during cargo clearance.
The rollout comes a day before the mandatory marine cargo insurance regulations come into force, requiring importers to obtain locally issued marine cargo insurance for imported goods.
KIFWA said it has been conducting training and sensitization programmes for industry players in Nairobi, Mombasa, Malaba, Busia, Namanga and Isebania to prepare clearing and forwarding agents for the transition.
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The association plans to continue the training programme over the next 12 months, focusing on platform access, certificate issuance, premium payments, customs integration, claims reporting and customer support.
Industry stakeholders expect the digital platform to streamline compliance with the new insurance requirements while reducing delays associated with manual documentation during cargo clearance.
