Kenya to Introduce Mandatory Travel Health Insurance for Short-Term Foreign Visitors
Foreign nationals planning to visit Kenya for less than 12 months may soon be required to register for travel health insurance under the Social Health Authority (SHA). This development follows a consultative meeting held on May 8 between Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, and Dr. Belio Kipsang, Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services.
According to an official statement, the meeting was held to explore how the two departments can collaborate in implementing the Presidential directive that mandates travel health insurance for inbound visitors. The policy is part of ongoing government efforts to expand the uptake of social health insurance and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya.
Also in attendance was Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, who is expected to play a key role in the policy rollout.
The SHA was launched in October 2024 as a new framework to improve health coverage in the country. In November, the Ministry of Health directed the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) to provide a list of licensed insurers eligible to offer inbound travel health insurance.
“The purpose of this letter is to request you to urgently provide us with a list of licensed or approved inbound travel health insurance providers,” wrote former PS Harry Kimtai in a letter to the IRA CEO, Godfrey Kiptum.
Only registered providers will be invited to submit proposals through a restricted tendering process, ensuring that only competent companies meet the health insurance standards.
The Ministry of Health has already started laying the groundwork for policy and legal implementation to support this initiative.
This move reflects Kenya’s broader goal of making healthcare more accessible and sustainable, while also protecting visitors during their stay.