Kenyan Government: US$25,000 Emergency Medical Transport Cover Mandatory for Inbound Travel

• The Kenyan government has introduced mandatory inbound travel health insurance requirements with a minimum US$25,000 emergency medical transportation cover.
• Inbound travellers must have insurance that covers emergency medical transportation, medical expenses, repatriation of mortal remains, mental health care, and prescribed medicines.
• The new framework requires insurers approved and licensed under the Insurance Act, Cap. 487, to provide the prescribed minimum benefits.
• Lawyers advising clients on international travel to Kenya should ensure their clients have the required minimum emergency medical transportation cover.

The new mandatory inbound travel health insurance requirements are significant for travellers entering Kenya.

The Kenyan government has introduced new mandatory inbound travel health insurance requirements that include a minimum of US$25,000 in emergency medical transportation cover. The requirement is part of the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, and the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024. According to Gazette Notice No. 11492 issued by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on July 29, 2026, inbound travellers must have insurance that covers emergency medical transportation, which can be a significant cost, especially for urgent evacuations or specialized medical care. The new framework also includes minimum benefits for medical expenses, repatriation of mortal remains, mental health care, and prescribed medicines.

The introduction of mandatory inbound travel health insurance requirements is in line with the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, which aims to provide financial protection for citizens and residents. The new framework requires insurers approved and licensed under the Insurance Act, Cap. 487, to provide the prescribed minimum benefits. The government has specified that the cumulative policy benefit limit must not be less than US$50,000, with separate minimum benefits for emergency medical transportation, medical expenses, repatriation of mortal remains, mental health care, and prescribed medicines. The requirements were issued pursuant to Section 26(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, read together with Regulation 70(2)(b) of the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024.

The new mandatory inbound travel health insurance requirements are significant for travellers entering Kenya. The minimum US$25,000 emergency medical transportation cover is designed to provide financial protection for insured travellers in case of a medical emergency. Lawyers advising clients on international travel to Kenya should ensure that their clients have the required minimum emergency medical transportation cover as part of their inbound travel insurance policy. Additionally, the new framework highlights the importance of considering mental health care and repatriation of mortal remains when purchasing travel insurance.

Lawyers advising clients on international travel to Kenya should ensure that their clients have the required minimum US$25,000 emergency medical transportation cover as part of their inbound travel insurance policy, and be aware of the specific requirements for repatriation of mortal remains and mental health care.

Source: Original reporting via Kenyan Gazette