Travellers arriving in Kenya will now be required to have mandatory travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of US$50,000 (approximately Ksh6.4 million), following new regulations introduced by the Ministry of Health.
The requirement was announced through a Gazette Notice issued by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who outlined the minimum benefits that all inbound travel health insurance policies must provide.
According to the notice, every policy must offer a cumulative benefit limit of at least US$50,000, ensuring visitors have sufficient financial protection while in the country.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Health gives notice that the minimum policy benefits for mandatory inbound travel health insurance shall be as specified in the Schedule below, provided that the cumulative policy benefit limit shall not be less than fifty thousand United States dollars (US$50,000),” the notice states.
Under the new rules, insurers will be required to ensure that all travel health insurance policies issued to inbound visitors meet the prescribed benefit thresholds before they are offered to travellers.
The regulations provide for up to US$20,000 (about Ksh2.5 million) in medical expenses, while emergency medical transportation will be covered up to US$25,000 (around Ksh3.2 million).
In the event of death, the policy must also include up to US$5,000 (approximately Ksh645,000) to cater for the repatriation of mortal remains.
Additionally, travellers will be entitled to benefits of up to US$300 (about Ksh38,700) for prescribed medication and US$1,000 (around Ksh129,000) for treatment related to mental health conditions.
The benefit limits were gazetted under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, and the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024, as part of the government’s broader health financing reforms.
The Gazette Notice further specifies that the mandatory insurance can only be provided by companies that are licensed and approved under the Insurance Act (Cap. 487).
“The mandatory travel insurance shall be offered by insurers that have been approved and licensed under the Insurance Act, Cap. 487,” states the notice.
This requirement for insurance is one aspect of the implementation of mandatory travel health insurance for all non-Kenyan travelers who stay in the country for less than 12 months
According to the Ministry of Health, this is done with an intention of making sure that the travelers can meet the medical cost during their stay, get mental health services, and pay for repatriation costs in case of death without burdening the Kenyan Government.