List of Critical Illness Insurance Providers in Kenya (2026 Covers Compared)

Updated 19 October 2026

Critical illness insurance pays you a single lump sum when you are diagnosed for the first time with a serious condition listed in the policy, such as cancer, a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. Unlike a medical cover, the money comes to you and not to the hospital, so you can spend it on treatment in Kenya or abroad, lost income, home nursing or school fees while you recover.

This guide lists the critical illness covers Kenyan insurers were selling in October 2026, what each pays, who can buy it and what to check before you sign. Every detail comes from the insurers’ own product pages and brochures, checked on 19 October 2026. Premiums depend on your age, health and the sum you choose, so ask for a written quote.

Critical Illness Insurance Providers in Kenya

Provider by Provider

Old Mutual Kenya: Critical Illness Cover

Old Mutual (which absorbed the former UAP Old Mutual brand) now markets its Severe Illness Cover as Critical Illness Cover. It pays a once-off lump sum of up to KSh 15 million on first diagnosis. You can get up to KSh 2.5 million of cover without medical tests, and cover periods run from 10 to 50 years depending on your age. The policy lists 16 conditions: cancer, heart attack, open heart surgery, stroke, paraplegia, major organ transplant, aortic surgery, kidney failure, accidental brain damage, coma, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, muscular dystrophy, dementia, Parkinsonism and rheumatoid arthritis. You can request a call back on its website or SMS the word “Dependability” to 22801.

Britam: CarePlus+ Protection Plan

Britam Life’s CarePlus+ pays the full sum assured on first diagnosis of a listed illness, and premiums start at KSh 3,000 a month according to its July 2026 brochure. Terms are 5, 10, 15 or 20 years, and cover can run until age 65. Entry is from 18 to 60 years. The plan has an optional medical examination: if you take the tests, you are covered in full from the start; if you skip them, there is a 12-month wait, and a diagnosis in that year only returns your premiums. The list includes cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, benign brain tumour, major organ transplant, coma, blindness, deafness, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, paralysis and total permanent disability, among others. There is a 30-day grace period for missed premiums.

Prudential Life Kenya: PRUCritical Care

PRUCritical Care pays between KSh 1 million and KSh 15 million on first diagnosis of a listed critical or terminal illness, regardless of severity. Entry age is 18 to 60 and terms run from 5 to 20 years, ending by age 65. There is a six-month waiting period at the start, which is waived if you do a medical check-up first, except for cancer, where the six months always apply. You can add an optional death benefit. Prudential’s exclusions are worth reading: early-stage (stage 0) cancers, most skin cancers, low-grade prostate tumours, mini-strokes and angina without a heart attack are not paid.

Pioneer Assurance: Critical Illness Plan

Pioneer sells its Critical Illness Plan either as a standalone policy or as a rider on its individual life plans and group life covers. It pays the full sum assured on certified diagnosis of conditions including cancer, heart attack, stroke, end-stage kidney failure, major organ or bone marrow transplant, coronary bypass surgery and paralysis. Premiums can be paid monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly.

ICEA LION: Thabiti Life Plan

ICEA LION does not sell a separate critical illness policy on its website, but its Thabiti Life Plan, which is bundled with its retirement products, includes a critical illness benefit for 19 conditions up to age 60. Cover ranges from KSh 1 million to KSh 5 million. Note that any critical illness payout reduces the death benefit by the same amount.

Jubilee Health: Critical Illness Cover

Jubilee offers critical illness cover only as an optional add-on to its SME and corporate medical schemes, so it is something to ask your employer or HR about rather than buy on your own. It pays KSh 750,000 on first diagnosis, covers employees aged 18 to 65 and has a waiting period of less than 90 days.

NCBA bancassurance

NCBA sells a critical illness cover underwritten by UAP Old Mutual through its branches. The bank’s product page puts the minimum premium at KSh 1,000 a month and the lump sum at KSh 1 million to KSh 15 million, with medical tests paid for at selected providers.

How to Choose a Critical Illness Cover

• Compare the illness list, not just the price. Lists range from 7 headline conditions to more than 20. Check that the conditions that run in your family are named.
• Read the definitions and exclusions. Insurers pay only when a diagnosis meets the policy definition. Early cancers, mini-strokes and conditions you knew about before buying are common exclusions.
• Check the waiting period. A diagnosis inside the waiting period may only return your premiums.
• Pick a sum that covers more than treatment. Think about six to twelve months of lost income as well as medical bills.
• Disclose your health honestly. Hiding a pre-existing condition is the fastest way to have a claim rejected.
• Ask about tax relief. Prudential and Pioneer both note that qualifying life policies attract insurance relief of 15% of premiums, up to KSh 60,000 a year.

How It Works Alongside SHA and Medical Cover

Critical illness insurance does not replace a medical cover or the Social Health Authority. SHA pays hospitals directly for treatment up to set limits, and a private medical cover does the same up to your annual limit. A critical illness policy pays you cash on top, which helps with costs those covers leave out. If you have not registered for SHA yet, our guide on what SHA is and how to register explains the steps, and the SHA 147 toll-free line handles queries. To compare the wider market, see our list of the top insurance companies in Kenya.

Frequently asked questions

Which insurance companies offer critical illness cover in Kenya?

Individual covers are sold by Old Mutual, Britam, Prudential Life and Pioneer Assurance. ICEA LION includes a critical illness benefit in its Thabiti Life Plan, Jubilee offers it as an add-on to company medical schemes, and NCBA sells a UAP Old Mutual cover.

How much is critical illness cover in Kenya?

Published starting premiums include KSh 1,000 a month for the Old Mutual cover sold through NCBA and KSh 3,000 a month for Britam CarePlus+. Your actual premium depends on age, health and the sum assured.

What illnesses are covered?

Almost every policy covers cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and major organ transplant. Many add coma, paralysis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and dementia. Check each policy’s definitions.

Is there a waiting period?

Usually yes. Prudential has six months, and Britam has 12 months if you skip the medical tests. Jubilee’s group add-on has less than 90 days.

Can I use the payout at any hospital?

Yes. The lump sum is paid to you, so you choose where to get treated, in Kenya or abroad, and how to spend the money.