Daystar University Hosts Annual Actuaries’ National Professional Development Conference

DVC ARSA Prof. Samuel Muriithi Centre Right together with the NCBA CEO Insurance Group , Ms. Stella Njunge share a moment during a group photo together with participants in the annual National Professional Development Conference from June 18-19 2026 at the Nairobi Campus.

By Timothy Wambua & Purity Karunda

[Nairobi, June 18 – 19, 2026], Daystar University hosted the annual National Professional Development Conference (NPDC), in conjunction with the Actuarial Students Society Association of Kenya (ASSK), at the DAC Auditorium, Nairobi Campus.

This year’s theme was: Actuarial Beyond Numbers: Shaping Resilient Data-Driven Futures pushes us to move beyond conventional approaches. The conference aimed at encouraging upcoming actuaries to lead the charge in data-driven strategy, build resilience amid global market uncertainty and demonstrate that their real worth comes from strategic vision and leadership.

Key organizations that partnered in the conference included NCBA Insurance, Jubilee Insurance, ICEA Lion Group, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Actuarial Students Society of Kenya, Lux Actuaries and Consultants, Kenindia Assurance Company, Prudential Life Kenya, Zamara Group, and Actuarial Academy of East Africa.

The conference attracted key industry players, faculty and students from over 10 universities including the University of Nairobi, Murang’a University, Egerton University, Kisii University, Corporate University, Meru University, Moi University, Multimedia University, Maseno University, Kirinyaga University, Chuka University, and the host, Daystar University.

The Keynote speaker was the CEO NCBA Insurance Group, Ms. Stella Njung’e,  together with other guests notably:

• Anthony Kadima - Group Head of Actuarial, WAICA Reinsurance Corporation.
• Jens Brostrom Hansen - Strategic Partner & Life Actuary, Actex Learning.
• Titus Magua - Senior Assistant Manager, Actuarial, ICEA LION Group.
• Johnson Okeyo - Actuarial Lecturer, Multimedia University of Kenya.
• John Njiru - Stakeholders Engagement, Actuarial Academy of East Africa.
• Samuel Wainaina - Senior Manager, Actuarial Jubilee Insurance.

Ms. Njung’e encouraged students to embrace flexibility, creativity, and perseverance.

On his part the DVC – ARSA. Prof. Samuel Muriithi urged students to convert knowledge into skill, embrace risk-taking, and prepare for a job market while at campus.

He gave his formula for success in the job market as entailing the total sum of skill, knowledge, experience, and exposure, which cumulatively is proven through competence on the job.

The event also enabled participating students to present their innovations and products to a high-level panel of judges comprising:

• Simon Kimang’a- AIA Senior Actuarial Analyst, Zamara Group.
• Brian Kinyanjui-FIA Head of Actuarial, Kenindia Assurance Company Ltd.
• Samuel Kiranga- Actuarial Science Lecturer, Daystar University.
• Linda Kaniar- Commercial Lines Claims Manager, NCBA Insurance Company Ltd.
• Joy Njue- Actuarial Analyst, Prudential Life Kenya.

The products and innovation spanned from block chain savings to AI cancer screening, mental health insurance, mobile autosaving, IoT-driven insurance and stock market volatility modelling, all aimed at solving real African challenges through actuarial thinking.

Johnstone Otieno Okeyo, a Lecturer from Daystar University showcased how actuaries can employ nature-based solutions to drive climate resilience across the world. His reflection on "Actuaries Beyond Numbers," focused on climate change around the theme.

“The actuary of the future is not confined to a desk of probability tables; they are climate strategists, product designers, AI collaborators, and ethical stewards of risk,” he said.

The conference culminated with insightful panel sessions which discussed on building products for data driven future through innovation, customer insights, and resilience.

The Universities that presented the best research papers were:

• Murang’a University of Technology presented Modelling Share Market Volatility in Emerging Markets Using a GARCH Model, by Daniel Sila.
• The University of Nairobi had Emojong Austine and Grace Mutheu present the Two-Step Verification Model for Financial Investment.
• Multimedia University was represented by Peter Makau, Grace Wando, Nancy Bonareri who presented Cashflow Management: Case study of Britam Holdings.

In the Products category, the following universities emerged as winners:

• Daystar University: Justin Nyabuto presented a product on Motorcyclist Tailored Term Assurance
• Egerton University: Gideon Karobia Weru and Joy Gitonga presented Agri-shield Kenya
• The University of Nairobi: Frank Mumo presented Insurtech AI.

Actuarial science in Kenya is developing beyond spreadsheets into strategic foresight, innovation and resilience, as showed by NPDC 2026. The event enabled students to imagine words in which actuaries take the lead in creating sustainable, data-driven communities by fusing competition with discussion.