Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Monday, September 1, 2025
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
Sharp Daily
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
No Result
View All Result
Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Kenya to impose local health insurance requirement for foreign visitors

Duncan Muema by Duncan Muema
October 13, 2023
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read

Visitors to Kenya will soon be required to purchase local health insurance, irrespective of their stay duration.

This move is anticipated to have a significant impact on the insurance industry, which reported gross medical premiums of KES 22.2 billion in the first quarter of 2023, constituting 35.0% of the total gross premiums of KES 62.5 billion in the general insurance sector during that period.

The National Assembly Health Committee of Parliament is presently deliberating an amendment to the Social Health Insurance Bill 2023. This proposed amendment has the potential to benefit both the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and private insurance service providers.

Furthermore, this proposed change is expected to shed light on the financial condition of the NHIF as it explores the introduction of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), an initiative endorsed by President William Ruto. This proposal aims to provide tourists with protection against unforeseen emergencies, including pandemics.

RELATEDPOSTS

Why firms are shedding jobs despite survival

June 19, 2025

A scalable solution to Kenya’s rural health crisis

June 18, 2025

The initial phase of the Bill suggests mandatory membership for foreigners residing in the country for over one year. Kenya may adopt a model similar to Schengen countries, which require travelers to purchase travel health insurance for entry. Consequently, visitors who fail to meet these requirements may be denied entry into Kenya, mirroring current regulations in France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Croatia, and Denmark.

Approximately 1.48 million people visited Kenya for tourism purposes last year. The new insurance program will not only cover the cost of medical treatment for visitors but also provide treatment for pre-existing health conditions.

The Health Committee in Parliament has given its approval to four health Bills, including the Social Health Insurance Bill 2023, which may become law upon receiving President William Ruto’s endorsement. The other Bills in consideration are the Digital Health Bill of 2023, the Facility Improvement Financing Bill of 2023, and the Primary Healthcare Bill of 2023. These legislative proposals aim to improve healthcare services across the nation.

Next week, the Kenyan Parliament is expected to approve and pass new social health insurance bills. To prevent the financial challenges that have plagued the NHIF, contributions to the Fund will be mandatory, including those from foreign residents. Failure to provide proof of payment may result in the loss of access to government services.

Despite increased member contributions, the NHIF has struggled with hospital reimbursements due to a surge in claims and persistent fraud, leading to annual losses of billions of shillings.

Email your news TIPS to editor@thesharpdaily.com

Previous Post

Mastering credit risk assessment: A must for fixed-income investors

Next Post

IMF report spotlights Kenya’s overbanking predicament

Duncan Muema

Duncan Muema

Related Posts

News

Kick financial goals: Invest with CMMF this football season

August 22, 2025
commercial illustrator
News

Why Kenyan private equity firms should consider continuation funds as an exit strategy

July 23, 2025
Business

Del Monte foods files for bankruptcy in USA

July 3, 2025
News

Private vs Public Pension Funds in Kenya

June 30, 2025
Investments

Investor shift to long term bonds drives oversubscription in CBK’s reopened auction

June 19, 2025
News

The real price of Israel – Iran Conflict for Kenya.

June 19, 2025

LATEST STORIES

The Importance of Including Pension Plans in Corporate Benefits Packages

August 29, 2025

The informal labor market and classical unemployment in the Kenyan context

August 28, 2025

Kenya’s Eurobond yields ease after S&P rating upgrade

August 28, 2025

Kenya’s strategic debt pivot: Smoothing, Strengthening, Sustaining

August 27, 2025

Bank on your paycheck: Invest smart with CMMF

August 26, 2025

Finding Balance: My Journey with Internet Self-Care

August 22, 2025

Why Young Kenyans Cannot Afford to Ignore Private Pensions

August 22, 2025

Strategies for Nairobi to emerge as Africa’s financial hub

August 22, 2025
  • About Us
  • Meet The Team
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Email us: editor@thesharpdaily.com

Sharp Daily © 2024

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team

Sharp Daily © 2024