Authorities have put on notice motorists using fake insurance stickers warning that they risk hefty fines or prison terms of up to one year.

In a market update, the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) has announced that it is working closely with the police, Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and the Insurance Fraud Investigation Unit, to enhance weed out fraudsters.

In the past one year, this interagency collaboration has led to the bursting of 44 cases across two regions in the country, with motorists caught using fraudulent motor insurance certificates.

AKI issues digitised motor insurance certificates as part of ongoing efforts to digitize and ease access to insurance. However, despite the digital verification system, cases of forgery persist in various regions of the country. This is a criminal offence punishable by law.

In June last year, an operation in the Central region, led by Commissioner of Police, Mr. Anthony Muriithi, uncovered 27 cases of forged motor insurance certificates. 

Four cases have since been concluded, with offenders fined between Ksh15,000 and Ksh30,000, or sentenced to prison terms ranging from four months to one year. The remaining cases are pending before the courts. 

A subsequent operation in December in the Coast region identified 17 cases. Three cases have been finalised. In one instance, the offender was fined Ksh200,000 or two years imprisonment, while two others were fined Ksh50,000 or six months’ imprisonment

AKI noted that the persistence of fraudulent motor insurance covers poses financial and reputational risks to the industry and leaves unsuspecting motorists exposed.

“Digitisation has significantly strengthened verification, but enforcement remains critical. Fraudulent motor insurance certificates offer no protection to motorists and undermine public confidence in the sector. We will continue working closely with law enforcement officers to protect consumers and uphold the integrity of the insurance industry,” said AKI Executive Director, Mr. Tom Gichuhi.

The Association added that joint operations will continue across other regions as part of a broader industry effort to strengthen compliance and ensure that the benefits of digitisation translate into real protection for policyholders.

Motorists are urged to verify the authenticity of their motor insurance certificates via USSD code *352# or via the Bima Yangu App both developed by AKI and avoid purchasing insurance cover from unauthorised agents and brokers.