The Ministry of Health has clarified the implementation of mandatory travel health insurance requirements for non-Kenyan travellers entering the country following the publication of Gazette Notice No. 11492 dated July 30, 2026.
In a statement, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the requirement is anchored in Section 26(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, which requires non-Kenyans intending to stay in Kenya for less than 12 months to possess travel health insurance designated by the Cabinet Secretary.
The ministry further cited Regulation 70(1) of the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024, which makes travel health insurance compulsory for persons travelling into Kenya.
Under the Gazette Notice, the government has prescribed the minimum travel health insurance benefit limits and applicable tariffs for all eligible foreign visitors.
Travellers who already hold travel health insurance from their country of origin may use it, provided it meets the prescribed benefit limits. Such policies must be uploaded through the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system during the application process for verification before travel.
The ministry also clarified that travellers without compliant insurance before departure can purchase an approved policy at Kenya’s designated points of entry from insurers licensed under the Insurance Act.
The Department of Immigration Services will enforce the requirement through the eTA system and border entry points by verifying compliance before granting visitors entry into Kenya.
