• By Raymond Momanyi

Mandatory Travel Insurance Kenya: How to Buy & Cover

Learn who needs mandatory travel insurance for Kenya, how to buy or verify it through the eTA system and the minimum medical benefits required.

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How to Buy Mandatory Travel Insurance for Kenya: Requirements, Cost and Benefits

Author: Raymond Momanyi, Founder & CEO, Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd

Last updated: 9 October 2026

Foreign visitors travelling to Kenya for a stay of less than 12 months are required to have qualifying inbound travel health insurance.

The requirement is based on section 26(6) of Kenya’s Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024, and Gazette Notice No. 11492 published on 30 July 2026. On 7 October 2026, the High Court dismissed a constitutional challenge and upheld the requirement.

This has created two common questions:

1. How does a visitor buy mandatory travel insurance for Kenya?
2. What does the required policy cover?

This guide explains the rule, minimum benefits, official purchase process and what travellers should check before boarding a flight or arriving at a Kenyan land or sea entry point.

Quick answer: A non-Kenyan visitor intending to stay in Kenya for less than 12 months should obtain qualifying travel health insurance for the entire stay. Travellers who need an Electronic Travel Authorisation can complete the insurance step through Kenya’s official eTA process. A traveller who already has eligible cover from their country of origin may submit proof for verification if it satisfies Kenya’s required benefits and limits.

Use only the official Kenya eTA website and official Directorate of Immigration Services guidance when completing an entry application.

For broader travel planning, accommodation and optional travel-insurance support, visit MyKava.co.ke. You can also explore Imana’s Travel Insurance page or compare insurance enquiries through ImanaInsurance.com.

Is travel insurance now mandatory for everyone entering Kenya?

The statutory requirement applies to a non-Kenyan person who intends to enter and remain in Kenya for less than 12 months.

This may include:

• International tourists
• Business visitors
• Conference delegates
• Short-term students and researchers
• Visiting family members
• Foreign consultants and contractors
• Volunteers
• Travellers on safari or holiday
• Diaspora family members travelling on foreign passports
• Children born abroad who are entering on foreign travel documents

Kenyan citizens travelling on valid Kenyan passports are not non-Kenyan visitors for purposes of this inbound requirement.

Dual nationals and members of the Kenyan diaspora should confirm which passport or travel document they will use. Entry and insurance requirements may follow the nationality and document presented during the application and border process.

The law refers to stays of less than 12 months. Visitors planning longer stays, employment, residence or another immigration status may need different immigration and health-insurance arrangements.

Mandatory inbound insurance is different from ordinary outbound travel insurance

The new requirement concerns inbound travel health insurance for foreign visitors coming to Kenya.

It should not be confused with:

• Travel Insurance purchased by a Kenyan travelling abroad
• Schengen visa Travel Insurance
• International Medical Insurance for expatriates
• Airline cancellation protection
• Domestic travel cover for Kenyan holidays
• A COMESA Yellow Card for a cross-border vehicle

These products serve different purposes.

A Kenyan travelling from Nairobi to Dubai, London, Johannesburg or another destination may still need an ordinary outbound travel policy, depending on the destination, visa rules and personal needs. However, that is not the same as Kenya’s mandatory inbound programme for non-Kenyan visitors.

What did the High Court decide?

The mandatory programme was challenged in court after Gazette Notice No. 11492 prescribed its minimum benefits.

On 7 October 2026, the High Court in Marsabit dismissed the petition and upheld the Gazette Notice and accompanying implementation framework. The court found that immigration officials were verifying compliance with an entry condition rather than taking over the Insurance Regulatory Authority’s licensing role.

The ruling confirmed the legal basis of the requirement under the Social Health Insurance Act and Regulations.

Travellers should nevertheless check the official eTA and immigration platforms shortly before travel because operational procedures, system screens, exemptions and payment methods can change.

How to buy mandatory travel insurance for Kenya

The correct route depends on whether the traveller requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation and whether they already have a qualifying policy.

Option 1: Buy it during the Kenya eTA application

Travellers who require an eTA should begin through the official portal:

https://www.etakenya.go.ke

The general process is:

Step 1: Confirm your travel documents

Have the traveller’s passport and itinerary ready. The passport should remain valid for the required period and match the identity used throughout the application.

Step 2: Start the official eTA application

Create or access the application through the official Kenya eTA platform. Avoid unofficial websites that imitate government portals or charge unnecessary service fees.

Step 3: Enter the trip information

Provide the requested:

• Passport information
• Nationality
• Arrival and departure dates
• Address or accommodation in Kenya
• Flight or transport details
• Contact information
• Purpose of travel
• Other supporting documents required by the portal

Step 4: Complete the insurance stage

During the application, the system may check whether the visitor already has eligible insurance recorded or uploaded.

If no qualifying policy is recognised, the applicant may be given an option to obtain the required inbound insurance through the approved process integrated with the platform.

Step 5: Review the policy information before paying

Check:

• Name and passport number
• Travel dates
• Policy period
• Underwriting insurer
• Premium and any platform charges
• Medical and transportation limits
• Emergency contacts
• Territorial scope
• Exclusions and claim procedure

Do not pay merely because a button says “insurance.” Confirm that the policy is intended to meet Kenya’s mandatory inbound requirements.

Step 6: Pay through the authorised channel

Follow the payment instructions shown on the official platform.

The rollout has widely been associated with a US$44 premium, but travellers should rely on the live official portal for the actual price applicable to their category, age, duration and application. The US$44 figure is not the statutory benefit limit and should not be confused with US$50,000 of insurance protection.

Step 7: Download and retain proof

Save:

• Insurance certificate
• Benefit schedule
• Payment receipt
• Policy number
• Emergency-assistance contacts
• eTA approval

Keep electronic and, where practical, printed copies during the journey.

Option 2: Upload an existing qualifying foreign policy

A visitor may already have travel health insurance through:

• A personal Travel Insurance policy
• An employer’s international scheme
• A university or student programme
• A global medical plan
• A credit-card travel benefit
• A policy purchased in the country of origin

Kenyan authorities have indicated that existing foreign cover may be submitted if it meets the required insured values.

The certificate should clearly show:

• Traveller’s full name
• Passport or identifying details where required
• Insurer
• Policy number
• Start and end dates
• Kenya as a covered destination
• Minimum cumulative benefit
• Medical-expense limit
• Emergency medical-transportation limit
• Prescription-medicine benefit
• Mental-health benefit
• Repatriation-of-remains benefit
• Emergency and claims contacts

A generic letter stating only “worldwide medical cover” may not give the verifier enough information to confirm every prescribed benefit.

Upload the documents through the official eTA process when instructed and allow enough time for verification.

Option 3: Obtain cover through eCitizen or at an entry point

The underlying regulations allow a person travelling into Kenya to obtain the travel health insurance at the point of entry.

Government implementation guidance has also contemplated purchase through official digital channels for travellers who do not require an eTA.

However, waiting until arrival may create delays, payment difficulties or uncertainty. Buying or validating the policy before departure is safer.

Travellers arriving through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport, Kisumu International Airport, a seaport or land border such as Namanga, Busia, Malaba or Moyale should carry accessible proof of cover.

Follow the current instructions shown on the official eTA, eCitizen, Ministry of Health or immigration platform applicable to the traveller.

How much does mandatory travel insurance for Kenya cost?

The cost is the premium paid for the policy. The premium is different from the amount the insurance may pay under covered circumstances.

The following figures should not be confused:

• US$50,000: minimum cumulative policy benefit required by the Gazette Notice.
• US$44: a widely reported premium associated with the digital rollout and eTA purchase process.

The final payable amount may depend on official implementation, traveller category, age, duration, taxes, platform charges and the available approved product.

Always confirm the live price before payment. Avoid websites or agents asking for money without providing a verifiable policy, insurer and authorised payment channel.

What must mandatory travel insurance for Kenya cover?

Gazette Notice No. 11492 sets a minimum cumulative policy benefit of US$50,000.

It also prescribes minimum benefit limits in five categories.

Medical expenses: at least US$20,000

This is intended to meet eligible medical costs arising during the insured stay, subject to the policy.

The policy should explain:

• Eligible inpatient and outpatient treatment
• Hospital admission
• Emergency services
• Tests and procedures
• Doctor and specialist fees
• Intensive-care treatment
• Pre-authorisation requirements
• Applicable exclusions

Not every medical condition or treatment is automatically covered. The certificate and policy wording remain important.

Emergency medical transportation: at least US$25,000

This may apply when the insured visitor requires medically necessary transportation or evacuation.

Depending on the policy and circumstances, transportation could involve:

• Ground ambulance
• Transfer between hospitals
• Air ambulance
• Evacuation from a remote location
• Other medically necessary transport

The assistance provider should normally be contacted before arranging expensive private evacuation, unless an immediate emergency makes prior contact impossible.

Prescribed medicines: at least US$300

The policy must provide the prescribed minimum benefit for eligible medicines.

The traveller should retain:

• Doctor’s prescription
• Pharmacy receipts
• Medical report
• Proof of payment
• Claim reference

Over-the-counter purchases without medical documentation may be treated differently.

Mental-health treatment: at least US$1,000

The mandatory schedule includes a specified mental-health benefit.

The policy may define the eligible conditions, practitioners, facilities, emergency requirements and exclusions. A traveller should not assume that every counselling or wellness expense is covered.

Repatriation of mortal remains: at least US$5,000

If an insured visitor dies in Kenya from a covered cause, this benefit may assist with the eligible cost of preparing and transporting the remains to the home country.

The process can involve:

• Medical and legal documentation
• Mortuary arrangements
• Funeral-service providers
• Embassy or consular coordination
• Airline or cargo arrangements
• Transport documentation

The assistance company and insurer should be notified immediately.

Is US$50,000 the price of the policy?

No.

US$50,000 is the minimum cumulative insurance benefit—not the amount a traveller is expected to pay.

The visitor pays a much smaller premium in exchange for cover subject to the policy limits and terms.

This distinction is important because headlines describing “Sh6.5 million insurance” can easily be misunderstood as a demand that each visitor pay or deposit Sh6.5 million.

Is the mandatory policy valid for the whole trip?

The regulations require cover for the visitor’s entire period of stay in Kenya.

Check that:

• The start date is no later than the date of entry.
• The end date is no earlier than the intended departure.
• Any extension of stay is matched by an extension or replacement of insurance.
• The policy remains valid after itinerary changes.
• Multi-entry travel is treated correctly.

Do not rely on a certificate that expires before the planned departure.

Can a visitor use credit-card Travel Insurance?

Possibly, but it must meet Kenya’s requirements and provide adequate evidence.

Credit-card benefits often contain conditions such as:

• The trip must have been paid using the card.
• The traveller must be below a specified age.
• Cover may last only a limited number of days.
• Pre-existing conditions may be excluded.
• Some benefits may have lower limits.
• The insurance may require activation.

Ask the card insurer for a formal certificate and benefit schedule showing Kenya, policy dates and all required minimum benefits.

The final decision on compliance rests with the official verification process.

Does ordinary Travel Insurance offer anything beyond the mandatory minimum?

It may.

Kenya’s mandatory programme focuses primarily on inbound travel health protection. A broader Travel Insurance policy may also provide specified benefits for:

• Trip cancellation
• Trip curtailment
• Delayed departure
• Missed connection
• Lost or delayed baggage
• Loss of passport
• Personal liability
• Personal Accident
• Travel-assistance services

These benefits are not automatic. They depend on the policy purchased.

A visitor may therefore satisfy the mandatory health requirement and still choose wider travel protection.

What may not be covered?

Common exclusions or restrictions can include:

• Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
• Routine or elective treatment
• Travel against medical advice
• Alcohol- or drug-related incidents
• Self-inflicted injury
• Unauthorised high-risk sports
• War or specified political risks
• Non-emergency treatment arranged without approval
• Expenses without supporting documents
• Travel outside the policy period
• Fraud or material non-disclosure

Read the actual policy rather than relying only on a marketing summary.

How to use the policy during a medical emergency in Kenya

1. Prioritise safety

Contact local emergency services or reach the nearest appropriate medical facility.

2. Call the assistance provider

Use the emergency number shown on the certificate. The assistance team may direct the traveller to an approved hospital, issue a guarantee of payment or coordinate evacuation.

3. Provide the policy details

Have the policy number, passport, location, symptoms and hospital information ready.

4. Request pre-authorisation

Hospital admission, surgery, evacuation and expensive treatment may require authorisation.

5. Preserve records

Keep medical reports, prescriptions, receipts, invoices, proof of payment and travel documents.

6. Notify the insurer promptly

Follow the claim-notification deadline and procedure.

The existence of a policy does not mean that every bill will be paid automatically. The insurer assesses whether the event and expenses fall within the policy.

Advice for hotels, tour operators and travel agents

Kenyan tourism businesses should update their pre-arrival communication.

Before a guest travels, consider reminding them to:

• Check whether they need an eTA.
• Complete the official application early.
• Obtain or upload qualifying insurance.
• Confirm that the policy covers the full stay.
• Save the certificate and assistance contacts.
• Avoid unofficial eTA or insurance websites.
• Share emergency information with their travel companion.

Hotels, camps, tour operators and conference organisers should avoid guaranteeing that a guest’s existing policy will be accepted. Direct travellers to the official government verification process.

Advice for the Kenyan diaspora

Diaspora families should pay particular attention when travelling with children or relatives who use foreign passports.

A person may have Kenyan parents or family connections but still be treated as a foreign visitor when entering on a foreign passport without recognised Kenyan citizenship documentation.

Before departure:

• Confirm the passport to be used.
• Check eTA requirements.
• Check the mandatory insurance requirement.
• Ensure every traveller, including children, is properly documented.
• Verify names and passport numbers on the insurance certificate.

Frequently asked questions

Who must buy mandatory Travel Insurance for Kenya?

The statutory requirement applies to non-Kenyans intending to enter and remain in Kenya for less than 12 months, subject to the official entry and implementation rules.

Do Kenyan citizens need the inbound policy?

The mandatory inbound requirement is framed for non-Kenyan visitors. Kenyans travelling abroad may need separate outbound Travel Insurance depending on the destination and visa requirements.

Is Kenya’s mandatory Travel Insurance US$44?

US$44 has been widely reported as the rollout premium offered through the official digital process. Confirm the actual amount displayed for the traveller before paying. It is not the same as the US$50,000 minimum policy benefit.

Can I use Travel Insurance bought in my home country?

It may be accepted if it meets Kenya’s prescribed limits, covers the entire stay and can be verified through the official process.

Can I buy the insurance upon arrival?

The regulations allow purchase at a Kenyan point of entry. However, obtaining or validating cover before departure is strongly recommended to avoid delays.

Does the policy cover every illness?

No. Benefits are subject to the policy’s definitions, exclusions, waiting requirements, pre-existing-condition rules and claims assessment.

Is an eTA the same as Travel Insurance?

No. The eTA is an electronic travel authorisation. Travel health insurance is financial protection for specified insured medical and related risks. They may be processed through the same digital journey, but they are different.

Can Imana issue the government’s mandatory inbound policy?

Travellers should obtain or validate the mandatory entry cover through the official eTA, eCitizen or authorised government-directed process. Imana can provide general insurance guidance and help compare separate or additional Travel Insurance options from licensed Kenyan insurers, subject to product availability and authority.

What happens if the trip is extended?

The traveller should ensure the policy remains valid for the entire stay and arrange an extension or replacement where permitted before the existing cover expires.

Travel and insurance support through Imana and MyKava

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd is a Westlands-based insurance intermediary helping individuals, families and businesses compare insurance quotations from licensed Kenyan insurers across Motor, Medical, WIBA, PSV, Travel, Motorcycle, Cyber, SME/Corporate and other insurance classes.

For official mandatory inbound insurance, use the Kenyan government’s designated purchase or verification process.

For broader travel planning and additional insurance enquiries:

• Compare insurance quotations
• Visit Imana’s insurance authority website
• Explore Travel Insurance through Imana
• Plan travel, accommodation and insurance through MyKava
• Contact Imana Insurance Agency
• Visit 4th Floor, Krishna Centre, Woodvale Grove, Westlands, Nairobi
• Call or WhatsApp 0113 619 635 or 0796 209 402
• Email travel@mykava.co.ke or insurance@imana.co.ke

Final takeaway

Kenya’s mandatory inbound travel health insurance is now an important part of travel preparation for non-Kenyan visitors staying for less than 12 months.

Before travelling:

1. Confirm whether you need an eTA.
2. Check whether your existing policy meets Kenya’s minimum benefits.
3. Upload it for verification or buy compliant cover through the official process.
4. Confirm the policy covers the entire stay.
5. Save the certificate, benefit schedule and emergency contacts.
6. Carry accessible proof throughout the journey.

The US$50,000 figure is the minimum cumulative policy benefit—not the premium.

Always confirm the latest procedure through Kenya’s official eTA portal before departure.

Compliance disclaimer

This article provides general information based on Kenya’s Social Health Insurance Act, the Social Health Insurance Regulations, Gazette Notice No. 11492 and publicly available implementation guidance as at 9 October 2026. Entry procedures, exemptions, premiums, digital systems and insurer arrangements may change. This is not immigration, legal or medical advice, a quotation, policy contract or guarantee of entry or claim payment. Travellers should confirm current requirements with Kenya’s Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Health, official eTA platform and the issuing insurer.

About the author: Raymond Momanyi is the Founder & CEO of Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd, a Westlands-based insurance intermediary helping individuals, families and businesses compare insurance quotations from licensed Kenyan insurers.