If he was not donning a suit and a tie in the corner office at AAR Insurance, you would probably have found Justine Kosgei, the company’s CEO, in a white coat as a doctor at one of AAR’s health facilities.
The 36-year-old did not dream of working in the insurance sector. As a child, he had many dreams. If he weren’t in insurance, he believes he would have probably been in the medical field.
“I always wanted to make a change. Insurance offers you that. If I wasn’t an insurer, I would probably be in medicine because that also enables you to create impact,” says Justine.
From a young age, he knew he would be a leader irrespective of the field. As a student, he was a prefect, “but I preferred to lead without having a formal position. This allowed me to be the voice of reason whenever a conflict arose.”
"There is power in giving back."
His rise from an intern at the Kenya Airports Authority to being the CEO of AAR Insurance, one of the largest insurers in Kenya, took 14 years.
In between, he took detours at AUP Insurance, CIC Insurance, Old Mutual Group and APA Insurance, which roles prepared him for the rigours of running a fast-growing insurance company in a country where the uptake of insurance services remains low.
As a CEO at a relatively young age, Justine says it is an “opportunity to bring fresh perspectives while at the same time respecting the wisdom and experience of those who have come before me.”
Despite the hectic schedule, the CEO finds time to pursue his passions, including mentorship.
Further, he has a passion for continuous education, saying he is passionate about mentoring young professionals and entrepreneurs. “There is power in giving back.”
Anyone arguing that insurance is a waste of money ought to know, he says, that instead it gives a piece of mind.
“When you are insured, you know that in case anything happens, you are covered.”