Nairobi, Kenya – Tourism stakeholders have raised concerns over the government’s plan to require all foreign visitors entering the country to have mandatory health insurance, warning that the move could increase travel costs and make Kenya less attractive to international tourists.
The stakeholders argue that the new requirement could discourage visitors at a time when the country is seeking to strengthen its position as a leading global tourism destination.
The concerns follow a notice published in the Kenya Gazette on July 30, 2026, and signed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, requiring all visitors entering the country to have health insurance coverage of at least Sh6.45 million.
The insurance package will cover medical expenses of up to Sh2.58 million, emergency medical evacuation of up to Sh3.22 million, prescribed medication worth up to Sh38,700, mental health treatment of up to Sh129,000, and repatriation of mortal remains valued at up to Sh645,000.
The government says the measure is aimed at ensuring visitors can access medical services in case of emergencies while in the country.
However, tourism players have opposed the move, saying it will add to the cost of visiting Kenya and could affect the country’s competitiveness in the international tourism market.
Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Chief Executive Officer Dr Sam Ikwaye said the policy could discourage potential visitors.
“This move will increase costs for tourists. As a tourism sector, we oppose this measure. This is not the direction we should be taking; we should be developing strategies to attract tourists, not discourage them from visiting our country,” Ikwaye said.
Stakeholders noted that the mandatory insurance requirement would come on top of other charges already paid by visitors, including the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee and recently increased park entry fees.
Tourism expert Tony Kirimi said many international travellers already arrive in Kenya with comprehensive health insurance purchased in their home countries, questioning the need for an additional mandatory cover.
“There is no reason to force them to purchase another insurance policy in Kenya. We accepted the ETA fee, park entry charges were increased, and now we are introducing mandatory health insurance, which is more expensive than in some European countries. What was the purpose of removing visas only to introduce other costs?” Kirimi questioned.
He warned that Kenya should avoid introducing measures that could push tourists to consider alternative destinations as the country continues efforts to grow its global tourism brand.
Another tourism expert, Mohammed Hersi, said the policy would create an unnecessary financial burden for visitors.
“A tourist pays for insurance in their home country before travelling to Kenya, then they are required to buy another one here. What would happen if every country introduced such a requirement?” Hersi said during a discussion on Facebook.
The stakeholders are now calling on the government to suspend implementation of the policy and hold consultations involving the Ministries of Health and Tourism, insurance companies and tourism industry players.
The debate comes at a time when Kenya’s tourism sector is showing signs of growth. Data from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) indicates that national parks have received more than 3.5 million visitors this year, compared to two million last year.
However, about 60 per cent of the visitors are domestic tourists, with industry players warning that additional costs could affect Kenya’s efforts to attract more international travellers.
KWS Director General Prof Erustus Kanga said the organisation’s revenue has increased from Sh2.9 billion in 2022, when he took office, to Sh10.5 billion this year, driven by increased visitor numbers and promotional efforts.
Despite the sector’s recent gains, tourism stakeholders maintain that the mandatory insurance requirement could undermine growth if implemented without broader consultation.
