Travellers entering Kenya will now be required to obtain mandatory travel health insurance with a minimum policy cover of US$50,000 (about Ksh6.4 million).
According to a Gazette Notice seen by this publication, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has set the minimum benefits that insurers must provide under the new requirement.
“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 read.
Under the new regulations, insurers offering inbound travel health insurance must ensure their policies comply with the prescribed minimum benefit levels.
The Gazette Notice provides that travellers will be entitled to up to US$20,000 (about Ksh2.5 million) for medical expenses.
It also sets a minimum benefit of US$25,000 (about Ksh3.2 million) for emergency medical transportation and US$5,000 (about Ksh644,823) for the repatriation of mortal remains.
Additionally, policies must include up to US$300 (about Ksh38,689) for prescribed medication and US$1,000 (about Ksh128,964) for treatment related to mental health conditions.
Duale published the new benefit limits under the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023 and the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024.
The notice further states that only insurers licensed under the Insurance Act will be permitted to offer the mandatory cover.
“The mandatory inbound travel health insurance shall be provided by insurers approved and licensed under the Insurance Act, Cap. 487,” the notice stated.
The revised thresholds form part of the Ministry of Health's rollout of mandatory travel insurance requirements for non-Kenyan visitors staying in the country for less than 12 months.
The policy is aimed at ensuring visitors can pay for medical treatment, access mental health services where necessary, and meet repatriation costs in the event of death, reducing the financial burden on the government.
