We began because we saw too many hardworking people lose everything to one medical emergency, and we knew protection had to be simpler, more affordable, and built for real life.
MaishaPoa was born out of a reality familiar across Kenya and much of Africa, where hardworking people strive every day to build better lives, yet one medical emergency can undo years of progress in an instant. What starts as a health issue quickly becomes a financial crisis, forcing families into difficult choices like borrowing, selling assets, or delaying care.
While insurance exists to solve this, it has often remained out of reach, not because it is unavailable, but because it has not been designed for real life. Built around formal incomes and complex systems, it has felt distant and unreliable, leaving many to rely on informal support like savings groups or harambees that often come too late when it matters most.
~ John Paul Otieno, CEO & Co-Founder, Maisha Poa.
MaishaPoa was created to challenge that gap, not by simply offering another insurance product, but by rethinking the entire approach. The insight was clear, people do not reject protection, they reject solutions that do not understand them. So the focus shifted from building for the system to building for real life. This meant designing products that are simple to understand, flexible in how they are paid for, and relevant to the actual risks people face every day. It meant stripping away unnecessary complexity and replacing it with clarity, transparency, and practicality.
At its core, MaishaPoa is built on the belief that protection should not be reserved for a few, it should be accessible to anyone who is working to move their life forward. The brand is intentionally grounded in the everyday experiences of its audience. It speaks to the boda rider earning daily, the entrepreneur managing a growing team, the parent balancing household needs, and the chama that comes together to support its members. These are the people who keep economies moving, yet often operate without a safety net. MaishaPoa positions itself not as an external provider, but as a partner that understands these realities and offers solutions that fit seamlessly into them.
Healthier, financially secure communities across Africa through accessible, affordable insurance.
To deliver simple, affordable insurance that improves lives in underserved markets.
Integrity, Innovation, Customer Obsession, Impact-Driven, Professional Excellence
Across Kenya and Africa, millions work tirelessly to build better lives. Yet one medical emergency can erase years of progress overnight, forcing families into financial distress.
Traditional insurance systems were not designed for real-world earning patterns, making protection feel complex, rigid, and inaccessible.
People do not reject protection. They reject systems that fail to reflect their reality.
Established in 2022, MaishaPoa was built to reimagine insurance — simple, flexible, and aligned with everyday life.
“No one should lose everything they’ve worked for because of one medical emergency.”
The focus shifted from building for systems to building for people — removing unnecessary complexity and prioritizing clarity and transparency.
From boda riders to entrepreneurs and chamas, MaishaPoa supports individuals and communities that drive everyday economic activity.
MaishaPoa continues to expand access to protection, ensuring insurance is not just available — but usable, understandable, and trusted.
