It was intended to be a measure designed to strengthen the protection of foreign visitors and reduce the burden of emergency care on the Kenyan healthcare system. However, the requirement for all tourists travelling to Kenya to have health insurance is already provoking strong reactions within the tourism sector and among consumer organisations, even before it has come into force.
Hoteliers, tour operators and trade associations fear that the measure may deter some international visitors at a time when the country is continuing to gain new market share.
Following the publication of the proposal in the Kenya Gazette, the measure is now at the centre of controversy, and legal action is also being prepared through the relevant channels.
The measure requires every visitor to have minimum health cover of $50,000 during their stay in the country, with the stated aim of guaranteeing medical care for tourists and preventing any costs from falling on Kenyan healthcare facilities.

The problem, according to industry operators, is not so much the principle of insurance – already required by numerous destinations around the world – as the way it is being implemented. Many tour operators point out that the majority of international travellers already have health insurance included with their credit card, as part of a package holiday, or taken out privately. 

 Forcing them to purchase a second one would represent an unnecessary additional cost and could make Kenya less competitive compared with other African destinations in the Indian Ocean.

The Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has also intervened, calling for the requirement to be suspended. The organisation believes that the measure, as currently drafted, could penalise consumers and restrict their freedom of choice, particularly if it were to require the purchase of a specific policy rather than recognising those already held by travellers. COFEK has also called for broader consultation with all stakeholders before the legislation is finally adopted.