The Malawi airline says eligible foreign travellers must secure designated health insurance before departure, as Kenya steps up enforcement of a requirement covering medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Malawi Airlines has alerted passengers travelling to Kenya about a mandatory inbound travel health insurance requirement that took effect on October 5, 2026, urging eligible travellers to obtain the prescribed cover before departure.
In a travel advisory dated October 13, the airline said the requirement applies to foreign visitors intending to stay in Kenya for less than 12 months, regardless of when their tickets were purchased. The advisory also cautioned passengers against assuming that an existing international travel insurance policy automatically satisfies the new requirement.
The notice comes as Kenyan authorities strengthen compliance checks through the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system and airline verification procedures. Under the new arrangements, carriers operating international passenger flights into Kenya are expected to verify the relevant insurance documents before boarding eligible passengers.
For travellers from Malawi and elsewhere, the change introduces another important step in preparing for a trip to Kenya, alongside securing the required travel authorisation, confirming accommodation and ensuring that passports and other travel documents are valid.
What the new insurance requirement means
The requirement is based on Section 26(6) of Kenya’s Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, which provides for travel health insurance for non-Kenyans intending to enter and remain in the country for less than 12 months. Regulation 70 of the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024, also addresses the requirement.
The government subsequently published Gazette Notice No. 11492, dated July 29, 2026, setting out minimum insurance benefits for qualifying visitors. Implementation and enforcement arrangements were clarified through subsequent government communications and aviation guidance.
The measure is intended to ensure that eligible foreign visitors have financial protection against specified healthcare costs while in Kenya. It covers more than ordinary medical treatment, extending to emergency medical transportation, prescribed medicines, mental health-related expenses and the repatriation of mortal remains.
The requirement is particularly significant for people travelling for tourism, business, conferences, family visits and other short-term purposes, as well as employers and travel agencies organising international trips.
Existing travel insurance may not be enough
One of the main issues highlighted in Malawi Airlines’ advisory is the treatment of existing travel insurance policies.
The airline’s notice says existing foreign travel insurance should not be assumed to substitute for the required cover. Travellers should therefore confirm the current rules and the status of their policies before travelling, particularly if they purchased insurance when booking their flights.
The distinction matters because many travellers already buy international insurance that covers hospital treatment, emergency assistance and medical evacuation. However, a policy’s general coverage does not necessarily establish that it meets Kenya’s designated requirements or will be accepted during the country’s verification process.
The safest course is to check the official Kenyan eTA portal and obtain confirmation that the policy meets the applicable conditions before departure. Passengers should also retain accessible proof of cover for airline checks and possible verification by immigration officers on arrival.
How passengers can prepare before travelling
Malawi Airlines has directed passengers to Kenya’s official eTA website, etakenya.go.ke, for information and access to the travel authorisation process.
Eligible travellers should take the following steps before their journey:
Check whether the requirement applies. Confirm nationality, immigration status, intended length of stay and any applicable exemption.
Review the insurance conditions. Ensure the policy satisfies the prescribed benefits and any applicable requirements concerning the insurer.
Complete the relevant eTA process. Follow the instructions on the official Kenyan portal and confirm that the required insurance information has been accepted.
Carry proof of cover. Keep the policy certificate and relevant confirmation accessible during check-in and on arrival.
Confirm requirements close to departure. Check for updated government or airline guidance, particularly if the trip was booked before the implementation date.
Kenya’s official eTA guidance states that visitors generally need an approved electronic travel authorisation before beginning their journey, subject to the applicable exemptions. An eTA is permission to travel under the system; it does not itself guarantee admission, which remains subject to immigration procedures at the point of entry.
