The High Court of Kenya has temporarily suspended implementation of the mandatory travel health insurance requirement for foreign visitors, which requires minimum cumulative benefits of US$50 000 (R813 000).
The interim order was granted by Judge Francis Rayola Olel after two Marsabit residents, Edow Issack Mohammed and Zhulekha Mohamed Edin, challenged the legality of the regulation, saying it lacks sufficient policy and administrative framework and raises privacy and data protection concerns.
The petitioners also argued that Kenya’s Ministry of Health exceeded its mandate by directing the Directorate of Immigration Services to verify insurance through the Electronic Travel Authorisation system as immigration matters fall under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
Olel declared the matter urgent and suspended operationalisation and enforcement of the Gazette Notice, pending the hearing of the application on September 16.
