Law Firm Demands Immediate Removal of Insurance Regulatory Authority CEO

A city law firm has issued a formal demand for the immediate cessation of office by the Commissioner of Insurance and CEO of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), citing what they describe as an “illegal stay in office.”

In a strongly-worded letter dated April 29, 2025, Bashir & Associates Advocates notified the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Hon. John Mbadi Ng’ongo, that Mr. Godfrey Kiptum’s continued occupation of the position is unlawful.

According to the legal document, which was marked “URGENT” and received by the National Treasury on April 30, Kiptum’s tenure officially expired on February 28, 2025, following his reappointment to serve a second three-year term.

“Kiptum’s continued stay in the aforementioned office is in contravention of the Insurance Act, Cap. 487 Laws of Kenya and the principles of public service as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya,” the letter states.

The law firm asserts that Kiptum first rose to the position in an acting capacity in 2016 following his predecessor’s exit, served three years in that capacity, and then served a further six years, bringing his total period in office to over nine years.

Citing Section 3E(5) of the Insurance Act, the letter emphasizes that the law expressly limits a Commissioner’s term to three years with eligibility for only one reappointment for a further three-year term.

“Notably, Kiptum’s continued stay in office is not only irregular but constitutes misappropriation of public funds through the unlawful payment of salary, allowances, and other executive benefits,” the letter states.

Bashir & Associates has demanded the immediate cessation of payments to Kiptum and the prompt commencement of the recruitment process for a new Commissioner/CEO “in accordance with the law.”

The law firm has given the Cabinet Secretary seven days to comply with their demands or face legal proceedings, warning that such action would proceed “without further reference” and at the Cabinet Secretary’s “own risk as to legal costs, reputational damage, and all other consequences attendant to unlawful public administration.”

The letter was copied to multiple government entities including the Chairperson of the IRA Board of Directors, the Principal Secretary of the National Treasury, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, the Association of Kenya Insurers, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Neither the National Treasury nor the Insurance Regulatory Authority had issued a public response to the allegations at the time of publication. Attempts to reach Mr. Kiptum for comment were unsuccessful.

The Insurance Regulatory Authority is the government agency responsible for regulating, supervising, and developing the insurance industry in Kenya.