- The High Commission of India in Nairobi issued a travel advisory, directing Indian nationals travelling to Kenya to comply with new insurance requirements
- Kenya introduced mandatory inbound travel health insurance for all foreign visitors entering the country on or after October 5, 2026
- Indian travellers must secure the prescribed insurance cover before departure, as existing international medical policies do not qualify as a substitute
Nancy Odindo is a current affairs writer at Tuko.co.ke (joined in 2023). She has one year of experience in print and more than five years in digital media.
The High Commission of India in Nairobi issued a formal travel advisory on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, alerting Indian nationals about Kenya's newly introduced mandatory travel health insurance requirement for foreign visitors.
Source: Facebook
Kenya's government rolled out the policy for all foreign nationals arriving in the country on or after October 5, 2026, covering stays of under 12 months.
The advisory made clear that Indian citizens must arrange the prescribed insurance cover before boarding their flights to Kenya.
What Indian travellers must know
A critical clarification in the advisory is that existing international travel or medical insurance policies held by travellers will not be accepted as a substitute for the mandatory cover.
Indian nationals are therefore required to obtain the specific insurance product recognised under Kenya's new framework, regardless of any existing policies they may already hold.
Two official portals have been designated for compliance. Those applying for a Kenyan Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for the first time must use www.etakenya.go.ke, while travellers who already hold a valid eTA can complete the insurance registration through https://insurance.ecitizen.go.ke/.
The advisory was shared by the official account of India in Kenya and Somalia on X (formerly Twitter), urging nationals to consult the full notice for details on applicable exemptions and application procedures before making travel arrangements.
Source: Twitter
The move by Kenya forms part of a broader push by the Kenyan government to strengthen healthcare financing and ensure that visiting foreign nationals have adequate medical cover during their stay in the country.
Indian nationals intending to visit Kenya are advised to complete the insurance application process well in advance of their departure date to avoid complications at the point of entry.
"Indian nationals travelling to Kenya are advised to comply with the above requirement and carry proof of valid insurance to avoid inconvenience during boarding and immigration clearance," the advisory said.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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