Micro Ensure, a United Kingdom based insurance company is set to open a branch in Kenya in a bid to expand its market share in the East Africa region.

Company chief executive officer Richard Leftley the company would begin operations in Kenya as soon as it was mandated by the Kenya Insurance Authority.

Leftley said the company which was started in 2002 will provide a wide range of services in addition to the locally available insurance products which are in the Kenyan market.

He said the company was especially targeting low income earners in the country.

"We are continuing the Micro Ensure mission of providing insurance products for the poor, we are making a commitment to develop products that effectively meet the specific needs of the Kenyan market," Leftley said

Urging Kenyans to embrace the opportunities presented by the company, Leftley expressed optimism that by 2012, the company will have increased its customer base to twenty two million clients.

In order to achieve its objectives the company will work in partnership with microfinance organizations, Rural Banks and SACCOS as well as humanitarian organizations that are providing non-financial services to keep premiums to a minimum

Leftley said the company was already well established in other countries including Ghana, Uganda, India and Philippines.

The company has already named Moses Banda as the Managing Director of its Kenyan subsidiary.