Britam Urges SMEs to Embrace Insurance Ahead of Heavy Rains

Data shows only one in five people who experienced flooding had insurance, underscoring the need for businesses to strengthen financial protection ahead of the rains.

From left: David Obonyo, General Manager, Corporate Health, Britam General Insurance; Dr Regina King’ori, CEO and Founder, RWK Africa; and Irene Musembi, Business Development Manager, Britam General Insurance, during the Britam Biashara Network in Kitengela, Kajiado County.

September 10, 2026 … With heavy rains expected to increase the risk of flooding and water-related damage, Britam is urging small and medium-sized businesses to make risk protection a core part of their business continuity planning.

The call comes as businesses across the country prepare for weather conditions that can damage premises, stock, equipment and other assets, while also disrupting access to customers, suppliers and employees and putting pressure on already-constrained cash flows.

According to the Central Bank of Kenya's analysis of FinAccess data, 11.9% of respondents reported experiencing high rainfall, flooding, mudslides, or lightning as a shock. Yet among those who experienced flooding, only 20.9% reported having insurance, highlighting a significant protection gap.

The flood risk was among the issues discussed during the latest Britam Biashara Network engagement in Kitengela, which brought together more than 60 small businesses, entrepreneurs and local business leaders for practical conversations on business growth, risk management and resilience.

Speaking at the engagement, David Obonyo, General Manager Corporate Health, Britam General Insurance, said businesses should consider the wider financial consequences of weather-related disruption when assessing their risks.

“For an SME, flooding can quickly move from a weather event to a business crisis. Damage to stock, equipment or premises can interrupt operations, affect cash flow and make it harder for a business to recover. As the rains approach, business owners should assess where they are most exposed and take steps to protect their assets and keep their businesses running,” said Obonyo.

Britam is encouraging SMEs to take several practical steps ahead of the rains, including checking drainage around business premises, elevating vulnerable stock and equipment, reviewing emergency contacts and business continuity arrangements, backing up critical business information, and assessing whether their existing insurance protection adequately covers their key assets.

Through the Britam Biashara SME Cover, Britam is providing businesses with an option to protect insured business assets against specified risks, subject to the applicable policy terms, conditions and exclusions. The cover is designed to help entrepreneurs manage the financial impact of unforeseen events such as floods, fire, theft, and political violence that could otherwise place additional pressure on business operations and recovery.

The engagement also featured Dr Regina King’ori, Founder and CEO of RWK Africa, an audit and consultancy firm, who shared insights on the foundations SMEs need to grow sustainably. Her remarks covered scaling enterprises, strengthening bookkeeping practices and navigating regulatory and economic pressures, reflecting the Britam Biashara Network’s role as a platform for equipping entrepreneurs with knowledge they can apply in their businesses.

Joseph Ntele, Chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Kajiado Chapter, added that resilience is built when business owners anticipate risks, strengthen their internal systems and plan ahead. His remarks reinforced the Network’s emphasis on helping SMEs move from reactive decision-making to proactive preparedness.

The Kitengela engagement is part of Britam’s nationwide Biashara Network, which seeks to support SMEs with practical knowledge, access to expertise and opportunities to build networks that contribute to sustainable business growth.

As the country enters a period of heightened weather risk, Britam is encouraging entrepreneurs to act before the rains arrive: understand their exposure, strengthen their preparedness and put appropriate protection in place.

About the Britam Biashara Network

The Britam Biashara Network is a nationwide platform that brings together small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, financiers, and business leaders for practical learning, networking, and business growth. In 2026, the network has engaged SMEs across major business hubs including Nairobi, Thika, Eldoret, Mombasa, and Kitengela, featuring successful entrepreneurs and experts who share their journeys, lessons, and insights on building resilient businesses.

Join the Britam Biashara Network: https://biasharanetwork.britam.com/