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Kenya Requires $50,000 Health Insurance for All Foreign Visitors
Kenya has introduced mandatory travel health insurance for all inbound foreign visitors. Under the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 and the Social Health Insurance Regulations 2024, the Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, issued a Gazette Notice on 29 July 2026 requiring a minimum cumulative coverage of US$50,000 (about Ksh 6.4 million). The policy must include at least US$20,000 for medical expenses, US$25,000 for emergency medical transport, US$5,000 for repatriation of mortal remains, US$300 for prescribed medicines and US$1,000 for mental‑health treatment.
The requirement applies to travelers staying in Kenya for up to 12 months, covering tourists, business travellers, students, conference delegates and those visiting friends or relatives. Only insurers licensed under Kenya’s Insurance Act are permitted to sell the mandatory cover, and the Ministry of Health will publish an approved provider list. The measure aims to ensure visitors can meet medical costs and to protect Kenya’s public health system from the financial burden of treating uninsured foreigners.
Entities
Aden Duale · Kenya · Ministry of Health (Kenya) · Social Health Insurance Act 2023 · Social Health Insurance Regulations 2024
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The regulation is issued under the Social Health Insurance Act 2023 and the Social Health Insurance Regulations 2024. kahawatungu.com · www.kenyans.co.ke
- [● 2 SOURCES] The rule applies to inbound travelers staying in Kenya for up to 12 months. kahawatungu.com · www.kenyans.co.ke
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kenya will require all foreign visitors to have health insurance with a minimum coverage of US$50,000. kahawatungu.com · www.kenyans.co.ke
- [● 2 SOURCES] Only insurers licensed under Kenya’s Insurance Act may provide the mandatory travel health insurance. kahawatungu.com · www.kenyans.co.ke
- [● 2 SOURCES] The mandatory insurance must include at least US$20,000 for medical expenses, US$25,000 for emergency transport, US$5,000 for repatriation, US$300 for medicines and US$1,000 for mental‑health care. kahawatungu.com · www.kenyans.co.ke
- [● 2 SOURCES] Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the regulations in a Gazette Notice dated 29 July 2026. kahawatungu.com · www.kenyans.co.ke