Kenya Makes Travel Health Insurance Mandatory for All Visitors From 6 October 2026

Updated: 14 October 2026

Every foreign national travelling to Kenya must now hold a government-approved travel health insurance policy before arrival. The requirement became fully operational on 6 October 2026, when Kenya’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) portal began blocking applications from travellers without recognised cover. The policy, which costs US$44 plus a US$1 access fee, is underwritten exclusively by insurers licensed under Kenya’s Insurance Act and is issued through official government platforms. For safari travellers combining Kenya with Tanzania or Zanzibar, the change means navigating multiple compulsory insurance schemes across a single itinerary.

The Legal Framework and What Changed in October

The mandatory insurance requirement originates from Gazette Notice No. 11492, issued on 29 July 2026 by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023. It applies to all non-Kenyan nationals entering for stays of less than 12 months, capturing tourists, business travellers, conference delegates, students, and those visiting family. Travellers must also carry proof of cover and be prepared to present it upon arrival.

Enforcement was temporarily suspended in late August 2026 after a High Court petition filed by two Marsabit residents challenged the measure. A separate petition from the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), raising concerns about public participation and insurer selection, was also filed at the Milimani courts. However, on 7 October 2026, Justice Francis Rayola Olel of the Marsabit High Court dismissed the suspension petition and upheld the scheme, confirming that the Gazette Notice was lawfully issued and that immigration officers are empowered to verify cover. The outcome of the COFEK petition has not yet been publicly reported.

On 6 October, the ETA portal at etakenya.go.ke began displaying a US$44 premium option for travellers whose applications did not show recognised coverage. A day later, the policy also became available as a standalone purchase through eCitizen at insurance.ecitizen.go.ke, under the heading “Inbound Travel Health Insurance.”

Kenya Ministry of Health, 2026: Every qualifying policy must carry a minimum of US$50,000 (approximately KSh 6.4 million) in total benefits, including US$25,000 for emergency medical evacuation, US$20,000 for medical expenses, US$5,000 for repatriation of mortal remains, US$1,000 for mental illness, and US$300 for prescribed medicines.

Coverage Details, Cost, and How to Purchase

The five benefit categories established in the Gazette Notice are cumulative for the duration of the policy rather than applied per incident. Only insurers licensed under Kenya’s Insurance Act (Cap. 487) may underwrite the cover. The Ministry of Health has stated that the aim is to ensure visitors can meet treatment and repatriation costs without the financial burden falling on the Kenyan government.

The listed premium of US$44 plus a US$1 access fee does not reflect the final amount charged after payment processing. In a test purchase conducted by VisasNews on 7 October 2026, the total charged reached US$52 per person. Reports on validity period differ: the eCitizen platform showed three months of cover in that same test, while immigration law firm Fragomen reports the policy is valid for one year and covers repeat trips. Travellers should check the specific dates displayed on their own issued policy until the government clarifies the standard term.

Travellers have two routes to compliance. The first is during the ETA application itself: if the portal detects no valid cover, it presents the insurance as a checkout item. The second is a standalone purchase on eCitizen ahead of applying for the ETA. When cover is purchased through eCitizen first, it is automatically detected during the subsequent ETA application, which then displays the message “You already have a valid travel insurance.” Travellers who received their ETA before 6 October can use the eCitizen route to acquire cover without reapplying. The application process on eCitizen requires nationality, passport details, a selfie matched against the passport photo, contact information, and travel dates and purpose.

Implications for Multi-Destination Safari Itineraries

Visitors combining Kenya with Tanzania’s Serengeti or Zanzibar on a single trip now face compulsory insurance requirements at each destination. Tanzania’s mainland scheme took effect on 1 October 2026 at a matching premium of US$44, valid for up to 92 days, with exemptions for citizens of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community. Zanzibar has operated its own mandatory scheme since October 2024, also at US$44 for up to 92 days, issued exclusively through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.

The combined cost for a Mara-and-Serengeti itinerary, or a beach-and-bush trip incorporating Zanzibar, therefore includes separate mandatory premiums for each territory, in addition to any payment processing charges. For travellers on organised safari packages, this effectively means paying for two or three compulsory policies alongside their existing comprehensive travel insurance.

On the question of existing foreign policies, the position is now unambiguous. Ministry of Health officials indicated at an industry meeting on 20 August 2026 that standard policies from foreign insurers would not qualify, and the live ETA system reflects that stance: there is no mechanism to upload or register a foreign policy. Cover must be purchased through the Kenyan government scheme. Travellers are nonetheless advised to retain their own comprehensive insurance, given the relatively low mandatory limits and the range of non-medical risks a standard travel policy covers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to purchase Kenya’s mandatory travel health insurance?
All non-Kenyan nationals entering Kenya for stays of less than 12 months are required to hold a qualifying policy. This includes tourists, business travellers, conference delegates, students, and visitors travelling to see family. The requirement does not apply to Kenyan citizens.

Can I use my existing international travel insurance policy to satisfy the requirement?
No. The current ETA system only recognises cover purchased through Kenya’s official government portals — either during the ETA application at etakenya.go.ke or separately through eCitizen. There is no facility to upload or register a foreign policy, regardless of the benefit levels it provides.

What is the minimum coverage the Kenya policy must provide?
The policy must carry at least US$50,000 in total benefits, structured across five categories: US$25,000 for emergency medical transportation and evacuation, US$20,000 for medical expenses, US$5,000 for repatriation of mortal remains, US$1,000 for mental illness, and US$300 for prescribed medicines. These limits are cumulative across the policy, not per incident.

Do I need separate insurance if my itinerary also covers Tanzania or Zanzibar?
Yes. Tanzania’s mainland and Zanzibar each operate their own mandatory travel health insurance schemes, independent of Kenya’s. Tanzania’s mainland requirement has been in force since 1 October 2026, and Zanzibar’s since October 2024. Both carry a US$44 premium and must be purchased through their respective official channels. Travellers crossing between these destinations will need to budget for each compulsory policy separately.