The Ministry of Health has clarified the legal basis and implementation of the mandatory travel health insurance requirement for non-Kenyan travellers entering the country, following the publication of Gazette Notice No. 11492 dated July 30, 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry said the requirement is anchored in Section 26(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, which requires non-Kenyans intending to enter and stay in Kenya for less than 12 months to possess a travel health insurance cover designated by the Cabinet Secretary.
"A person who is a non-Kenyan that intends to enter and remain in the territory of Kenya for a period of less than twelve months shall be required to have a travel health insurance cover as may be designated by the Cabinet Secretary," the statement reads.
The ministry further cited Regulation 70(1) of the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024, which provides that every person travelling into Kenya must possess a travel health insurance cover in accordance with the Act.
It said Gazette Notice No. 11492 prescribes the travel health insurance benefit limits and tariff applicable to non-Kenyan travellers entering the country.
"Accordingly, every non-Kenyan intending to enter and remain in Kenya for a period of less than twelve months is required to possess a valid travel health insurance policy that complies with the benefit limits and tariff prescribed by the Cabinet Secretary," the ministry said.
The clarification follows public concern and questions over the implementation of the new requirement and whether foreign travellers would be compelled to purchase insurance upon arrival.
According to the ministry, travellers who already have travel health insurance issued in their country of origin will not be required to purchase a new policy, provided their existing cover meets the insurable value prescribed under the Gazette Notice.
Such travellers will be required to upload proof of their valid insurance policy through the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system as part of the travel approval process.
"Any traveller who possesses travel health insurance from their country of origin, provided it meets the insurable value as per Gazette Notice No. 11492 dated 30th July 2026, should upload it in the Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system," the ministry said.
However, travellers who do not have compliant travel health insurance before travelling to Kenya will still be allowed to obtain the required cover upon arrival at designated points of entry.
The ministry said the insurance must be purchased from an insurer licensed under the Insurance Act and approved to provide the requisite travel health insurance cover.
To facilitate compliance, applicants seeking a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization will be required to upload proof of a valid travel health insurance policy for verification before travel.
The Department of Immigration Services will enforce the requirement through the eTA system and at all designated entry points by verifying compliance with the travel health insurance requirement before granting entry into Kenya.
Where travellers obtain the insurance at the point of entry, immigration officials will verify the policy before permitting them to enter the country.
The clarification was issued by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who said the measures are intended to ensure compliance with existing provisions of the Social Health Insurance Act and its accompanying regulations governing travel health insurance for foreign visitors.