This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
On September 24, 2001, Hellen Mueni was involved in a road accident while traveling in a PSV insured by Invesco Assurance. The accident left her severely injured, requiring 24 hours of nursing care.
She suffered severe injuries and became an invalid, entirely dependent on other people for support. Mueni was left with no choice but to file a suit against the driver and owner of the vehicle in 2003 in Embu.
However, the case was heard and dismissed by Justice Isaac Lenaola on October 28, 2005. Undeterred, Mueni filed an appeal in Nyeri, which was allowed, and judgment was entered in her favor on September 14, 2007.
After many attempts, Invesco indicated that they were willing to pay. The insurance company's then chairman, general manager, and claims manager visited her home in Mlolongo, Athi River, and presented her with a dummy cheque for Sh3 million.
Although Invesco paid the Sh3 million over eight months, they refused to pay the balance. Mueni filed another suit against the company in 2012, which she won. She immediately embarked on pursuing the money.
However, Invesco's acting CEO, Wilson Mwangi, disputes the claims, stating that they paid Sh3 million as the final settlement. He claims that Mueni was represented by her lawyer in the transaction and signed a discharge voucher after receiving the Sh3 million.
But Mueni's lawyer, Erick Ochieng', trashed Mwangi's comments on the issue. He said Invesco had played games with his client long enough and it was time for the insurance firm to respect the court order and settle the payments.
As of now, Mueni is still waiting for the remaining Sh17,143,743 awarded to her after years of court battles. She is pleading with the government to push Invesco Assurance to settle her compensation.
