Sedgwick Insurance CEO Sammy Methu Kiragu Dies by Suicide Amid KPC Fraud Investigation

Nairobi, March 13, 2025 – Shocking details have emerged surrounding the death of Sedgwick Insurance Brokers CEO Sammy Methu Kiragu, who jumped from the seventh floor of 4th Avenue Towers on Tuesday afternoon, March 11.

Kiragu was under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over alleged fraud linked to a Ksh240 million insurance tender at the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).

The Controversial Insurance Tender

Sedgwick Kenya Insurance Brokers had initially won the KPC insurance tender after submitting the lowest financial bid. The company received official notification on June 7, 2023, with a formal award letter following on June 21, 2023.

However, KPC reversed its decision and awarded the contract to Four M Insurance Brokers Limited on September 7, 2023. Sedgwick challenged the decision at the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB), which ruled in its favor.

But Four M then moved to the High Court, which found that Sedgwick’s bid was non-compliant. The court ruled that Sedgwick lacked the financial capacity to execute the contract and had illegally adjusted its pricing after winning the tender.

The court cited violations of:

• Section 167(1) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act
• Section 20 of the Insurance Act

Following this ruling, investigators uncovered collusion between Sedgwick and UAP Old Mutual Insurance Company Limited to manipulate premiums in an attempt to match market prices.

DCI Investigation and Summons

The DCI had launched an inquiry under file number 185/2024. Senior officials from UAP Old Mutual had already recorded statements, and Sedgwick executives, including Kiragu, were set to appear before investigators.

A letter from the Insurance Fraud Investigations Unit, dated February 18, 2025, summoned UAP representatives to explain their role in the tendering process. Investigators found that Sedgwick and UAP had agreed to adjust premiums to fit a predetermined figure of USD 1,911,755.66.

Kiragu was scheduled to appear before the DCI on Wednesday, March 12, but died a day earlier.

Kiragu’s Final Moments

On Tuesday, March 11, Kiragu reportedly jumped from the seventh floor of 4th Avenue Towers, despite Sedgwick operating from the 14th floor.

Police arrived at the scene and moved his body to the mortuary pending a post-mortem.

Investigations Ongoing

While sources suggest that the intense pressure from the probe may have led to Kiragu’s suicide, police have yet to release an official cause of death. Sedgwick Insurance Brokers has not issued any statement on the matter.

The DCI investigation into the fraud case continues.