Leading insurance firm Directline Assurance has awarded its top-performing agents in the inaugural Directline Wakala Awards held at the company's Nairobi headquarters.

The ceremony sought to recognise and reward key Directline Assurance business partners across the country for selling the Company’s general insurance solutions which include Motor, BiasharaBima, HomeBima, BinafsiBima, TransportersBima, BimaShule, Motor among others.

"The Directline story is not complete without the support of our partners. They have supported us for so many years and today we want to celebrate them and congratulate them. We have over 3,500 agents who work with us and support our business. This is the first time that we've come together to do the Wakala Awards," Directline Assurance CEO Evans Nyagah said.

Primrose Wanjiru Kimando of Primorose Insurance Agency was overall winner scooping the top spot in the Highest Gross Written Premium Category. Stanley Kabaki of Ababio Insurance Agency emerged the 1st runners up position, while Catherine Waithira Kimani of Forward Travellers was the 2nd runners up.

Eliakim Alando, team leader Customer Corporate, emerged overall winner in Highest Gross Written Premiums in the non-motor insurance category.

"My clients made a lot of referrals and referrals do magic. If a client is referred to you it means you have done something good for the other clients," Primrose Wanjiru said.

"The market itself is relatively exploitive in nature since we have less than 2.3% of the premium underwritten, so we have a big portion not yet exploited so if given a chance we can exploit better," Stanley Kibaki added.

Directline partnered with ViuTravel to develop customized packages for the top winners, which include fully paid holidays to Dubai, Mombasa and Maasai Mara, depending on the category.

"This is a challenge to the rest of the other agents that they need to keep up with the winners and also ensure they put more effort… It keeps motivating staff and agents and also keeps insurance agents on their toes so that they can deliver, also its a challenge for them to explore our country. They say after hard work you play harder," Viutravel General Manager Lemmy Ole Mataiwua said.

They also received vouchers ranging from between Ksh.10,000 to Ksh.30,000.  

"The awards are motivating enough to put agents out there and when they are meeting their clients they have to come up with something that is beneficial to clients and company," Clifford Ochien'g, Association of Kenya Professional Insurance Agents Chairman, said.

Overall, a total of 18 Directline agents were feted during the Wakala awards. Directline which has 24 branches across Kenya and a robust digital channel, is seeking to rope in more partners to grow its business.

"When it comes to brokers we have in excess of 185 brokers in this town, and we only have about 50 off them supporting our business. I want to encourage as many to come forward and support our business because Directline is known for keeping its promise and delivering on them. That's why we have remained the top underwriter in the market," said Nyagah.

Going forward, Directline will be leveraging more on technology as it plays its role in increasing penetration of insurance products in the country.