The Kenyan Embassy in Abu Dhabi issued a travel advisory on 22 October urging all non‑Kenyan travelers from the Middle East to obtain mandatory health insurance before leaving for Kenya.

The requirement, which took effect on 5 October 2026, applies to any foreign visitor staying in Kenya for less than 12 months, and each traveller – including children – must hold an individual policy.

Travelers must purchase the insurance through Kenya’s official eTA or eCitizen platforms; policies bought elsewhere are not accepted.

After payment, an electronic policy is issued, valid for 90 days and usable for multiple entries as long as it remains current on each arrival date.

The embassy advises travelers to keep the insurance document handy for airline check‑in and immigration verification upon arrival in Kenya.

Exemptions include Kenyan citizens, residents, East African Community nationals, asylum seekers, diplomatic or official passport holders, as well as crew members and transit passengers who do not enter Kenya.

African nationals outside the EAC who are not required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation must still secure the insurance unless they qualify for another exemption.