- Author: Raymond
- Category: Marine Insurance
How to Buy Marine Cargo Insurance on eCitizen | Imana Kenya
Importing into Kenya? Here's how to buy Marine Cargo Insurance on eCitizen in 12 steps, from IDF to KRA clearance, and why selecting your agent matters.
How to Buy Marine Cargo Insurance on eCitizen (Kenya, 2026 Guide)
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Marine Cargo Insurance is now bought on eCitizen. Here's how to do it right.
Quick answer: In Kenya, importers and clearing agents now buy Marine Cargo Insurance (MCI) online at insurance.ecitizen.go.ke. You log in, select Marine Insurance, pick the consignment's Import Declaration Form (IDF), compare insurers' quotes, choose your insurer and your insurance agent, then pay. The certificate is generated straight away and sent electronically to KRA for customs clearance.
Since 1 November 2026, KRA no longer clears consignments without a valid digital MCI certificate from an IRA-licensed insurer. The process is quick once you know it. The step most people miss is choosing their agent, and that step decides who supports you after you pay.
This guide walks you through every step, the mistakes to avoid, and how Imana Insurance Agency can help you do it the first time.
What changed for importers in 2026?
Kenyan law has long required imported cargo to be insured with a local insurer. What changed in 2026 is that the requirement is now digital and enforced at customs.
- 22 May 2026: The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) issued a directive on enforcing local marine cargo insurance for all imports, under the Marine Insurance Act and the Insurance Act.
- 1 July 2026: Digital acquisition started. Certificates are requested through portals linked to IRA's platform and paid through the eCitizen (Pesaflow) gateway.
- 1 November 2026: KRA began enforcement. Consignments without a valid digital MCI certificate from an IRA-licensed insurer are not cleared.
In practice, the certificate now travels by itself. The IRA platform sends your MCI details to KRA's Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), so there's no paper certificate to carry to the port.
Who needs to use the eCitizen MCI platform?
Anyone bringing goods into Kenya needs MCI before customs clearance. The platform is used by:
- Clearing and forwarding agents handling consignments for clients
- Importers who act through an authorised clearing agent
- Businesses and SMEs importing stock, machinery, vehicles or raw materials
Before you start, have these ready:
- Your eCitizen login details
- Registration and authorisation under a licensed clearing and forwarding company. This is what lets you see the company's IDFs.
- The IDF for the consignment you want to insure
- A payment option on eCitizen, such as M-Pesa, card or bank
- The name of your preferred insurance agent: Imana Insurance Agency
How to buy Marine Cargo Insurance on eCitizen, step by step
- Log in. Go to https://insurance.ecitizen.go.ke and sign in with your registered eCitizen credentials.
- Select Marine Insurance (MCI) from the list of insurance services.
- Confirm your clearing agent access. You must be registered and authorised under a licensed clearing and forwarding company.
- View your IDFs. The system shows the IDFs linked to your clearing company that you're allowed to access.
- Select the IDF for the consignment and start the quotation.
- Review the quotations. Quotes from participating insurers appear side by side so you can compare premiums and options.
- Choose your insurer based on premium, cover and policy terms.
- Select your insurance agent or broker. Choose Imana Insurance Agency from the list. This decides which intermediary the business is allocated to.
- Pay the premium through the payment channels on the platform.
- Get your MCI certificate. Once payment is confirmed, the system generates your Marine Cargo Insurance policy or certificate.
- Automatic sharing with KRA. The IRA platform sends your MCI details to KRA electronically for verification.
- Clearance. Once the MCI is verified and all other customs requirements are met, KRA authorises release of your goods.
Tip: Steps 7 and 8 come one after the other. Don't rush past step 8 once you've picked an insurer.
Why selecting your insurance agent matters
The agent you select in step 8 is formally recorded as your intermediary on that policy. IRA's guidance calls it a critical step for business allocation and intermediary recognition, and says the customer must select their intended agent before completing the transaction.
When you select Imana Insurance Agency, you keep a named team on your side after payment:
- Guidance the first time. We'll walk you or your clearing team through the platform.
- Help comparing quotes. We explain what the cover and terms mean, not just the price.
- Claims support. If cargo arrives damaged, short or lost, we help you report and follow up the claim with your insurer.
- One point of contact for your business insurance, including motor, fleet, property, liability and staff medical.
If you skip this step or select someone else, Imana won't be recorded as your agent, and we won't be able to manage the policy for you.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the agent selection. It's easy to click through after choosing an insurer. Check that Imana Insurance Agency is selected before you pay.
- Choosing on price alone. The cheapest quote may carry different terms. Compare cover and conditions, too.
- Waiting until the cargo lands. Arrange MCI as soon as the IDF is ready, so clearance isn't held up at the port.
- Using an unauthorised login. Only users authorised under the clearing company can see its IDFs. Sort out access early.
- Paying twice for insurance. If your supplier's price already includes cargo insurance (for example on CIF terms), review the contract. Local MCI is still required for clearance.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marine Cargo Insurance mandatory in Kenya? Yes. All imported cargo must be insured with an IRA-licensed insurer in Kenya. From 1 November 2026, KRA does not clear consignments without a valid digital MCI certificate.
Where do I buy Marine Cargo Insurance online in Kenya? On the eCitizen insurance portal at insurance.ecitizen.go.ke, which connects to IRA's platform and KRA's iCMS.
What is an IDF, and why do I need it? The Import Declaration Form is the customs document for your consignment. The MCI certificate is issued against the IDF, so you choose the IDF before you get quotes.
Can an importer buy MCI without a clearing agent? On this platform, the user must be registered and authorised under a licensed clearing and forwarding company to see its IDFs. Importers usually act through their authorised clearing agent.
Do I still need a paper certificate for KRA? No. Once you pay, the IRA platform sends your MCI details to KRA electronically.
How do I choose Imana as my agent? At step 8, after choosing your insurer, pick Imana Insurance Agency from the list of agents and brokers before you pay.
Can Imana help with a cargo claim? Yes. If Imana is your selected agent, we help you report and follow up claims with your insurer.
Need help with your first MCI on eCitizen?
Imana Insurance Agency is a licensed insurance agency in Westlands, Nairobi. We help importers, clearing agents and businesses with marine cargo, fleet and wider business insurance. Send us a message and we'll guide you through your next consignment, step by step.
- WhatsApp: +254 796 209 402
- Call: +254 113 619 635
- Website: imana.co.ke
- Office: 4th Floor, Krishna Centre, Woodvale Grove, Westlands, Nairobi
Remember: at step 8, select Imana Insurance Agency.
