In a country where healthcare costs can be the difference between survival and suffering, Jubilee Health Insurance’s introduction of the Lipa Pole Pole option is not just an innovation but a game-changer. It represents a bold, pragmatic step toward universal health coverage by meeting people where they are financially.
Lipa Pole Pole by Jubilee Health Insurance is especially critical in Kenya’s socio-economic reality, where a significant portion of the population operates within the informal economy, survives on inconsistent income streams, and has traditionally been excluded from consistent health insurance schemes.
For years, the high cost of annual or lump-sum health insurance premiums has been a major deterrent for many Kenyans seeking cover. When faced with a choice between paying school fees, rent, or insurance in one go, most households will understandably prioritize immediate needs over future protection. Lipa Pole Pole disrupts this equation by removing the burden of large up-front payments. Instead, it allows customers to pay for insurance in small, manageable installments—weekly, monthly, or quarterly—depending on their financial capabilities.
Inclusion Through Flexibility
This shift is more than cosmetic. It democratizes access to healthcare. Now, a boda boda rider in Kisii, a mama mboga in Gikomba, or a casual worker in Eldoret can realistically afford to secure insurance coverage without compromising their daily survival. It’s an insurance solution that understands and respects the rhythm of Kenyan livelihoods.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, over 83% of Kenya’s workforce is employed in the informal sector. These workers earn erratically, with no formal contracts or guaranteed incomes. Traditional insurance models, designed for salaried individuals, have failed to capture this massive demographic.
By offering installment payments, Lipa Pole Pole creates a bridge between informal incomes and formal health coverage. This innovation mirrors recent government efforts such as Lipa SHA Pole Pole, a public initiative targeting similar gaps in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) reform, now transitioning into the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
But Jubilee’s version comes with the agility and customer-centricity of the private sector. Clients can tailor their inpatient limits, say, Ksh 500,000 or Ksh 1 million, and choose cover levels that make sense for their lives and families.
Changing Mindsets Around Insurance
There is no doubt that healthcare coverage is no longer a luxury, but a need for millions of Kenyans. This product redefines health insurance from being an annual stress point into a lifestyle financial habit. Much like saving in a chama or contributing to a merry-go-round, Lipa Pole Pole integrates into Kenyans’ financial routines. That shift in mindset, from insurance as a burden to insurance as a habit, could be the key to unlocking mass uptake.
The Real Cost of No Cover
Medical bills are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in Kenya. According to several studies, one hospital visit for an uninsured family can wipe out a year’s worth of savings or plunge them into debt. With Lipa Pole Pole, families are empowered to walk into hospitals with confidence rather than fear. They no longer need harambees or GoFundMe pages to handle emergencies.
Jubilee’s Lipa Pole Pole also plays a catalytic role in the broader healthcare financing space. As more people sign up and premiums flow consistently—albeit in smaller bits—insurance providers gain predictability and sustainability. Hospitals, too, are assured of compensation, which supports better planning, expansion, and service delivery.
Moreover, widespread insurance penetration reduces the pressure on public hospitals, often overwhelmed by walk-in patients unable to pay for private care. By easing this burden, the innovation supports the government’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
A Digital-First, Mobile-Friendly Solution
Crucially, Lipa Pole Pole is powered by digital platforms. Customers can sign up, select plans, and make payments through mobile platforms such as M-Pesa. This eliminates paperwork, cuts bureaucratic delays, and improves transparency. It fits perfectly into Kenya’s digital ecosystem, where mobile penetration exceeds 90%, and most financial transactions are mobile-first.
This digital-first strategy ensures convenience and accountability, especially in rural and peri-urban areas where access to physical insurance branches is limited.
Finally, Lipa Pole Pole is more than a health solution—it is a financial inclusion tool. It draws more people into the formal economy, introduces them to the discipline of structured payments, and potentially opens doors to other financial products such as life cover, retirement savings, and investment schemes.
Got questions? Visit our FAQs on health cover.
As Jubilee Health Insurance rolls this out across the country, it sets a benchmark for the entire industry. This is how insurance should be: responsive, flexible, and deeply empathetic to people’s everyday realities.
Related Content: Why Kenyans Should Embrace Health Insurance With Flexible Premiums
