UK extends travel warning to Moyale and mandates health insurance for Kenya visitors
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has expanded its travel warning to cover Moyale Town and a five‑kilometre radius, advising against all but essential travel, and from 5 October 2026 most visitors staying under 12 months must hold government‑provided travel health insurance. The changes affect British nationals and other travellers planning overland routes in northern Kenya.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Travel warning extended to Moyale and mandatory government health insurance for short‑term visitors
- Timing
- Warning updated on 6 November 2026; insurance rule effective from 5 October 2026
- Who is affected
- British nationals and most non‑Kenyan visitors staying under 12 months in Kenya
The details
- Announced by
- Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
- Previous rule
- Prior to the update, the FCDO warned against all travel in several northern counties but Moyale was not listed under the ‘all but essential travel’ category.
- New rule
- Moyale Town and the surrounding five‑kilometre area are now under an ‘all but essential travel’ advisory, and from 5 October 2026 most visitors staying less than 12 months must obtain government‑provided travel health insurance.
Extended Travel Warning for Moyale
The FCDO updated its guidance on 6 November 2026, adding Moyale Town and a five‑kilometre radius, including the Ethiopian border, to the list of areas where travel is discouraged except for essential purposes. The advisory notes stray gunfire, projectiles and unexploded ordnance within three kilometres of Moyale, with incidents causing fatalities and injuries.
- All travel to Moyale is discouraged unless essential
- Essential travel should stay on the A2 route to Marsabit before stopping
- Check Ethiopia’s travel guidance and follow local instructions
Mandatory Government‑Provided Health Insurance
From 5 October 2026, the FCDO requires most visitors staying in Kenya for less than 12 months to obtain travel health insurance supplied by the Kenyan government. Overseas policies cannot be used as a substitute. The insurance is purchased during the eTA application for new applicants or via the eCitizen portal for existing eTA holders.
- Coverage lasts 90 days and allows multiple entries
- Children and all eligible travellers must have proof of insurance
- Exemptions include Kenyan citizens, residents, EAC citizens, asylum seekers, diplomatic passport holders, and qualifying crew or transit passengers
Practical Implications for Travel Planning
Tour operators and corporate travel managers must verify that itineraries avoid the newly warned Moyale area unless essential, and ensure that all eligible travellers have the required government insurance. The warning does not affect major tourist destinations such as Nairobi, Mombasa, or Lamu Island, but routes to Lamu should use air travel rather than road connections.
- Use Mombasa Road or Nairobi Expressway for airport transfers
- Fly to Lamu Airport on Manda Island; avoid road travel to the islands
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers with existing overland itineraries through Moyale must reassess routes and consider essential‑travel exceptions
- Bookings to Lamu Island should confirm air transfer rather than road travel
- Journeys that cross the Kenya‑Ethiopia border need to follow the A2 guidance and monitor local security updates
Cost and documents
- Visitors staying under 12 months must purchase government‑provided health insurance costing the official rate
- Proof of insurance must be carried and presented at entry, separate from any existing overseas policy
- No additional fees are mentioned for the travel warning itself
What you need to do
- Apply for the required health insurance during the eTA process before travel
- Check the latest FCDO advisory for Moyale and adjust travel plans accordingly
- Ensure passport validity of six months and two blank pages for British passport holders
Who this affects
-
British nationals planning travel to northern Kenya
The FCDO advisory specifically addresses UK passport holders and advises against non‑essential travel to Moyale.
What to do Review routes, avoid non‑essential travel to Moyale, and obtain required government health insurance if staying under 12 months
-
Non‑Kenyan visitors staying less than 12 months
The mandatory health insurance rule applies to most short‑term visitors regardless of nationality.
What to do Purchase government‑provided travel health insurance via the eCitizen portal or during eTA application
-
Tour operators and corporate travel managers
They must ensure client itineraries comply with the new warning and insurance requirements.
What to do Verify routes avoid the Moyale warning zone unless essential and confirm insurance coverage for all eligible travellers
Frequently asked questions
What is the new UK travel warning for Moyale?
The UK FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Moyale Town and the surrounding five‑kilometre area, including the Ethiopian border, due to violence and security risks.
When does the mandatory Kenyan health insurance start?
The requirement for most visitors staying in Kenya for less than 12 months to have government‑provided travel health insurance began on 5 October 2026.
Can I use my overseas travel insurance for Kenya entry?
No, overseas policies cannot replace the government‑provided insurance required for short‑term visitors; the insurance must be obtained through Kenya’s official eCitizen portal or during the eTA process.
Are there any exemptions from the new insurance rule?
Exemptions include Kenyan citizens, valid Kenyan residents, East African Community citizens, asylum seekers, diplomatic or official passport holders, and qualifying crew or transit passengers who do not enter Kenya.
How should I travel to Lamu Island under the new advisory?
The FCDO recommends flying to Lamu Airport on Manda Island and advises against road travel to the islands, so ensure your itinerary includes an air transfer.
