Kenya Makes Mandatory Travel Insurance Available Separately From ETA
Kenya’s mandatory travel insurance requirement is now available as a separate purchase through the government’s eCitizen platform, allowing travellers to obtain insurance before applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Tests conducted on October 7 showed that insurance bought through the dedicated eCitizen portal was automatically recognised when the traveller later applied for an ETA. Applicants receive an insurance reference number, while the ETA system displays the policy as “Valid” before allowing the application to proceed.
The insurance costs US$44 per traveller, plus a US$1 access fee and payment charges. A test purchase resulted in a total charge of US$52 for three months of coverage. Travellers are advised to keep their insurance reference number and proof of the policy status.
Kenya’s High Court also upheld the requirement on October 7, rejecting a petition challenging the legal basis of the scheme. The ruling comes as the insurance check is being integrated into the ETA process.
Questions remain over whether one policy covers multiple entries, whether travellers can use foreign insurance policies, and why the system does not currently provide a downloadable insurance certificate.