The High Commission of India in Nairobi has advised Indian nationals traveling to Kenya to obtain the country’s mandatory travel health insurance before departure following the implementation of a new entry requirement for foreign visitors.
In a travel advisory issued on Tuesday, the mission said the Kenyan government had introduced mandatory inbound travel health insurance for foreign nationals entering the country on or after October 5, 2026, for stays of less than 12 months, subject to applicable exemptions.
The advisory told travelers they must obtain the prescribed insurance before arriving in Kenya, regardless of when their Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) was issued or when they made travel arrangements.
“All Indian nationals intending to enter Kenya on or after October 5, 2026, are advised to obtain the prescribed travel health insurance prior to their arrival, irrespective of when their Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) was issued, or their travel arrangements were made, in accordance with the requirements notified by the Government of Kenya,” the notice stated.
Under the new requirement, travelers applying for an eTA can obtain the insurance through the official government portal, while those who already hold a valid eTA can purchase the cover through a separate government platform.
The mission also noted that existing international travel or medical insurance policies do not replace the prescribed mandatory cover, urging travelers to carry proof of valid insurance to avoid issues during boarding and immigration clearance.
Kenya’s mandatory travel insurance requirement has become a key condition for foreign visitors seeking entry into the country as authorities step up implementation of the policy.
Insurance Requirement
The requirement is anchored in the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, associated regulations and Gazette Notice No. 11492, which set out minimum health insurance benefits for non-Kenyans entering the country for periods of less than 12 months.
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The requirement has intensified in recent days after Kenya’s eTA system began requiring proof of qualifying travel health insurance before applicants can complete the authorization process.
Travelers without recognized cover are directed to obtain insurance through government-linked platforms.
According to travel and immigration industry publications, the insurance costs about $44 and is valid for one year.
Under Gazette Notice No. 11492, the mandatory insurance must provide a cumulative minimum cover of USD 50,000 (Ksh6.48 million), including at least USD 20,000 (Ksh2.59 million) for medical expenses, USD 25,000 (Ksh3.24 million) for emergency medical transportation, USD 5,000 (Ksh647,500) for repatriation of mortal remains, USD 1,000 (Ksh129,500) for mental health treatment and USD 300 (Ksh38,850) for prescribed medicines.
Kenya–India Cooperation
Kenya and India maintain trade and investment ties spanning agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, technology and defense.
Kenya exports tea, coffee, soda ash, vegetables, copper, metal scrap and other industrial products to India, while importing petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, machinery, vehicles, chemicals and electrical equipment.
India’s investment in Kenya includes pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, healthcare and information technology.
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On May 26, 2025, InvestKenya and the India Kenya Business Council signed an agreement to promote investment, improve the business environment and strengthen links between small and medium-sized enterprises.
India has also supported Kenya through development financing, medical equipment and scholarships. During President William Ruto’s December 2023 state visit, India announced a US$250 million line of credit for agricultural modernization.
The annual allocation of Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships for Kenyans increased from 48 to 80.
The two countries cooperate in defense training and maritime security. They established a Joint Defense Cooperation Committee in 2019 and adopted the BAHARI maritime vision statement in December 2023.
Their relationship also benefits from Kenya’s Indian-origin community, estimated at approximately 80,000 people in 2023.
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