A contentious legal battle is unfolding in Nairobi as a determined lawyer calls for the removal of Godfrey Kiptum, the CEO of the Insurance Regulatory Authority, who continues to operate despite his term officially ending months ago.
In an urgent letter sent to the Treasury on April 30, prominent attorney Suleiman Bashir accuses Kiptum of unlawfully retaining his position and authority, even though his second and final term concluded on February 28, 2025. Kiptum’s actions have not only allowed him to maintain control but also to continue receiving a government salary and associated benefits.
CEO Godfrey Kiptum
Bashir isn’t mincing words. He says Kiptum’s extended stay is illegal, unethical, and a blatant misuse of public funds. “His time’s up,” the letter states, calling on the Treasury to immediately freeze all payments to the CEO and kickstart the recruitment of a fresh face to lead the regulator.
Kiptum’s journey to the top spans over nine years. He began in an acting role back in 2016, got confirmed in 2019, and secured a second (and supposedly final) term in 2022. The Insurance Act sets a two-term limit, and according to Bashir, that limit has been overshot.
But this isn’t just a simple case of an overstayed welcome. Insiders whisper of powerful ties, including a rumoured close relationship with Head of Public Service Felix Kosgey, said to be Kiptum’s village mate. That connection may be the invisible shield keeping him firmly in place.
The drama stretches back to 2024 when Kiptum locked horns with then-IRA Board Chair Mwanga Mabonga. Mabonga tried to send him packing during an inquiry into shady dealings, but the plan backfired. Mabonga was ousted, and Kiptum emerged unscathed.
Now, Bashir has raised the stakes, copying his letter to the Public Service Commission, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the IRA Board, daring the system to act. He’s given the Treasury seven days to respond or face legal fireworks.
Will the rule of law prevail, or will the old boys’ network hold firm once again? All eyes are now on the Treasury, and the clock is ticking.
