What the requirement says
From 5 Oct 2026, non-exempt visitors need inbound travel health insurance from an approved Kenyan insurer. eCitizen lists a premium of up to USD 44 per person; the KCAA circular specifies 90-day validity. A foreign policy does not replace this requirement.
KCAA AIC 11/26, published 9 October 2026, applies to non-Kenyan visitors staying less than twelve months, subject to the exemptions below. That stay threshold is not twelve months of policy coverage.
Cost and length of cover
- eCitizen lists a premium of up to USD 44 per person, including levies and stamp duty, with no administration charges. Confirm the amount shown before paying.
- The circular specifies 90 days of validity with multiple entries within that window; eCitizen describes cover of up to three months.
- The circular lists cumulative benefits up to USD 50,000, with separate sublimits including medical expenses up to USD 20,000 and emergency medical transport up to USD 25,000. These are limits, not guaranteed payouts; read your policy terms.
Buy through an official channel
- Use etakenya.go.ke during an eTA application, or the official eCitizen insurance portal for standalone purchase.
- Required cover must come from a Kenyan insurer approved and licensed under the Insurance Act. A foreign travel policy does not replace it, except where the crew exemption applies.
- Save the issued policy certificate offline after payment confirmation and keep it ready for airline check-in and immigration. Keep your existing travel insurance for any additional protection it provides.
Exemptions listed by KCAA
- Kenyan citizens and holders of valid residence status.
- Citizens of East African Community Partner States.
- Persons seeking asylum; holders of diplomatic, official or service passports.
- Transit passengers who do not seek entry into Kenya.
- Crew with valid employer-provided health cover, or remaining within the port of entry during their stay.
An eTA exemption alone does not exempt you from insurance. Refugee or stateless status alone is not an exemption in this circular.
Confirm these cases before paying
Official sources differ on stays of 3–12 months and wording about young children. Do not assume a child is exempt; confirm your case with Immigration and eCitizen before paying or flying.
The circular requires individual cover for each non-exempt traveler, including minors. eCitizen also uses wording about children above three, while requiring individual certificates for minors and dependents. We cannot establish an under-three exemption from this wording.
If staying longer than 90 days, ask Immigration and eCitizen what cover is required for your full stay; the sources do not clearly establish a renewal process here. Family/group policies are not listed as available by eCitizen.
Sources and next steps
- KCAA AIC 11/26 — 9 October 2026 (PDF copy hosted by Malawi Airlines).
- eCitizen inbound insurance portal — undated page, checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Kenya eTA and entry checklist.
This is published-source guidance, not a live eligibility check. Confirm your circumstances with Immigration, eCitizen and your airline before traveling.