Duale clarifies Sh6.4 million mandatory travel health insurance requirement for visitors entering Kenya
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has clarified the implementation of Kenya’s mandatory travel health insurance requirement for non-Kenyan travellers entering the country, following public concern over the recently announced minimum insurance benefit limits.
In a clarification issued on Friday, the Ministry of Health said the requirement is anchored in the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, and the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024, dismissing confusion surrounding Gazette Notice No. 11492 dated July 30, 2026.
The clarification comes days after the government announced that all travellers entering Kenya would be required to have travel health insurance with a minimum policy benefit of Sh6.4 million (US$50,000).
According to the earlier gazette notice, the mandatory insurance package includes at least Sh3.2 million (US$25,000) for emergency medical transportation and Sh2.5 million (US$20,000) for medical expenses.
Additional benefits include Sh644,823 (US$5,000) for the repatriation of mortal remains, Sh128,964 (US$1,000) for mental health treatment, and Sh38,689 (US$300) for prescribed medicines.
In the clarification, the Ministry explained that the requirement only applies to non-Kenyan travellers intending to enter and remain in Kenya for less than 12 months.
The ministry cited Section 26(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, which provides that a non-Kenyan intending to enter and remain in Kenya for a period of less than one year must possess travel health insurance as designated by the Cabinet Secretary.
The statement further noted that the Cabinet Secretary prescribed the travel health insurance benefit limits and tariffs through Gazette Notice No. 11492 issued on July 30, 2026.
According to the ministry, travellers who already possess valid travel health insurance from their country of origin will not be required to purchase another policy, provided the cover meets the minimum benefit limits prescribed in the gazette notice.
Such travellers will, however, be required to upload proof of the insurance cover through Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system before travelling.
The ministry also clarified that travellers who do not have compliant travel health insurance before travelling can still obtain the required cover upon arrival in Kenya.
“However, where a traveller has not obtained the required travel health insurance before travelling to Kenya, the traveller may obtain a compliant travel health insurance policy at the point of entry from an insurer licensed under the Insurance Act and approved to provide the requisite travel health insurance cover,” the statement reads.
To facilitate compliance, all applicants seeking a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) will be required to upload proof of valid travel health insurance during the application process for verification before travel.
The Department of Immigration Services will implement the requirement through the eTA system and at all designated entry points into the country.
The ministry added that where travellers purchase the insurance upon arrival, immigration officials will verify the policy before granting entry into Kenya.