- Background
Since 1944, Heifer International has worked with more than 43 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Working with rural communities in 19 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports farmers and local food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income.
Heifer started work in Kenya in 1981. Since then, Heifer Kenya has supported more than 682,000 families working in the dairy, meat, poultry, and horticulture value chains. Heifer Kenya is working with farmers to increase production and productivity by strengthening extension services and farmers’ cooperatives where they gain vital skills that enable them to scale and sustain their businesses. Heifer Kenya implements its projects through community development and enterprise development approaches. Each project focuses on three priorities: strengthening and diversifying the resource base, strengthening country program efficiency, and increasing outreach and impact through innovative value chain systems.
2. Rationale
Our current insurance period is ending, and we're looking for a reputable, licensed insurance provider to offer Group Life Insurance for our employees.
The purpose of the cover is to provide financial protection and security to employees and their beneficiaries in the event of death, permanent disability, critical illness and other insured risks as specified in the policy. The selected insurer shall provide comprehensive coverage, efficient claims administration, responsive customer service, and value-added services that support employee well-being and organizational objectives.
The insurance cover is expected to run for one year from 1 December 2026, with the option to renew, subject to satisfactory performance, budget availability and mutual agreement.
3. Objectives:
The objective of this procurement is to identify and contract an insurance provider capable of
- Minimizing financial risks to both employees and the organization.
- Ensuring timely claims management and compensation processes.
- Accessing insurer expertise in risk management and loss prevention.
4. Scope of Services
The insurer shall provide and administer a group life insurance cover as detailed:
Group Life Cover
- Death in service benefit.
- Permanent total disability benefit.
Death Benefits
Compensation payable to beneficiaries in the event of death whilst in active employment.
3.0 Group Life Insurance Benefits
The proposed Group Life Insurance cover shall provide financial protection to employees and their beneficiaries in the event of death, total permanent disability, or critical illness.
The proposed benefits are as follows:
- Death Benefit: Payment equivalent to three (3) years' basic annual salary.
- Total Permanent Disability: Payment equivalent to three (3) years' basic annual salary.
- Funeral/Last Expense Benefit: A flat payment of KES 150,000 to support funeral expenses following death.
- Critical Illness: Cover to be provided in accordance with the proposed policy terms and conditions. The benefit limit is to be specified by the bidder.
4.0 Coverage Population
The insurance cover shall apply to employees as determined by Heifer International Kenya. The indicative population is 40 employees, with a total monthly basic salary of KES 22,553,175 and an average age of 43 years.
Heifer International Kenya reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of covered employees during the policy period.
5.0 Preliminary Evaluation
The preliminary evaluation will assess compliance with mandatory requirements on a responsive/non-responsive basis. Bidders who fail to meet any of the requirements will be disqualified and will not proceed to technical evaluation.
Where documents are required to be valid and certified, they must be certified by a Commissioner for Oaths. Only the criteria specified in this tender document shall be used to evaluate and qualify bidders.
Mandatory Requirements for Underwriters
Bidders must submit the following documentation and evidence:
- Company Registration: Certificate of Registration or Incorporation under the Companies Act.
- Tax Compliance: Valid and current Tax Compliance Certificate issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
- Price Schedule: Duly completed, signed, and stamped Price Schedule in the prescribed format.
- Business License: Copy of a current and valid business license.
- Company Ownership: Copy of a valid and current Form CR12.
- Regulatory Registration: Current registration certificate from the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), confirming registration as an underwriter.
- Industry Membership: Valid membership certificate from the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI).
- Corporate Client Portfolio: Evidence of at least five (5) current reputable clients with GPA premiums of KES 10 million, supported by award letters and contracts.
- Paid-Up Capital: Evidence of minimum paid-up capital of KES 600 million.
- Group Life Premiums: Evidence of Group Life premiums exceeding KES 50 million annually for each of the last three years (2023, 2024, and 2025).
- Client Recommendations: Recommendation letters from at least five (5) clients covering the last three years (2023, 2024, and 2025).
- Audited Financial Statements: Certified audited accounts for the financial years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Claims Settlement Performance: A list showing the value of claims paid and an analysis of the ratio of claims paid to claims reported for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
- Operational Experience: Evidence of at least five (5) years of existence through incorporation records and IRA licensing for Group Life insurance business.
Note: Underwriters must satisfy all mandatory requirements to qualify for technical evaluation.
6.0 Technical Evaluation Criteria – 100 Marks
The technical evaluation will assess the underwriter's financial capacity, Group Life Insurance experience, personnel qualifications, client references, proposed benefits, and service delivery arrangements.
Paid-Up Capital – 10 Marks
The underwriter must demonstrate minimum paid-up capital of KES 600 million, supported by appropriate financial documentation.
Group Life Insurance Revenue – 10 Marks
The underwriter must demonstrate annual Group Life Insurance revenue exceeding KES 50 million for each of the last three years (2023, 2024, and 2025).
Scoring shall be applied as follows:
- Below KES 50 million: 0 marks.
- Above KES 50 million: 10 marks.
Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel – 20 Marks
Bidders must provide details of the Principal Officer responsible for the assignment and two additional technical personnel, supported by signed CVs and certified academic and professional certificates.
- Principal Officer – 10 Marks
The Principal Officer must have an approval letter from the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA). Marks will be awarded as follows:
- Bachelor's degree – 2 marks.
- ACII/AIIK qualification or Diploma in Actuarial Science – 4 marks.
- At least five (5) years of relevant experience after obtaining professional qualifications – 4 marks.
- Additional Technical Personnel – 10 Marks
The underwriter must provide evidence of the qualifications and experience of two additional technical personnel, including:
- Relevant professional insurance qualifications, such as ACII/AKII, with valid Insurance Institute of Kenya (IIK) membership.
- Relevant degree in Insurance.
- At least five (5) years of experience in the insurance business.
Relevant Group Life Underwriting Experience – 5 Marks
Bidders must demonstrate at least five (5) years of experience underwriting Group Life Insurance business.
A supporting letter from the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) must be provided, with one (1) mark awarded for each qualifying year, up to a maximum of five marks.
Client Recommendation Letters – 10 Marks
Submit five (5) recommendation letters from clients for whom the bidder has provided Group Life Insurance services.
Each letter must include details of services provided and the client's contact information.
Scoring: Two (2) marks for each qualifying recommendation letter, up to a maximum of ten marks.
Professional Indemnity Insurance – 5 Marks
Provide evidence of a valid Professional Indemnity Insurance cover with a minimum insured value of KES 10 million.
Proposed Group Life Insurance Benefits and Conditions – 30 Marks
Bidders must provide a comprehensive proposal outlining the terms, conditions, benefits, and applicable provisions of the proposed Group Life Insurance Policy.
The proposal should clearly address the prescribed benefits, including death, total permanent disability, funeral/last expense, and critical illness, together with any applicable exclusions, limitations, or additional benefits.
Dedicated Scheme Liaison Personnel – 5 Marks
Bidders must demonstrate their capacity to provide dedicated liaison personnel to administer the Heifer International Kenya Group Life Insurance scheme.
The proposal must include the name, designation, contact details, and responsibilities of the proposed liaison officer.
Draft Policy and Training Proposal – 5 Marks
Bidders must submit a draft Group Life Insurance Policy and a proposed training plan for Heifer International Kenya's People Department, which will manage and coordinate the scheme.
The training proposal should demonstrate how the underwriter will support effective policy administration, claims processing, and understanding of the scheme's benefits and conditions.
TOTAL TECHNICAL EVALUATION SCORE: 100 MARKS
NB. Cut-off points for the technical evaluation shall be 80 marks, and bidders who shall not...