The government of Kenya has now scrapped the PCR test requirement for vaccinated incoming visitors.
However, vaccinated travellers from South Africa and certain other African countries should note that despite the removal of the PCR requirement, they are treated differently – passengers from the list below are required to undergo rapid Antigen testing on arrival, free of charge.
The current regulations are…
1. All travellers arriving in Kenya through any point of entry must have a certificate of COVID-19 vaccination. The following categories of travellers are exempt from the requirement:
a. Travellers below the age of eighteen (18) years.
b. Travellers with medical conditions precluding vaccination. Such persons shall be required to provide a letter from a recognised medical practitioner detailing the medical reason precluding vaccination.
c. Travellers who have recovered from an active COVID-19 infection or received convalescent plasma in the preceding 90 days. Such persons shall be required to provide a letter from a recognized medical practitioner showing that the person may have recovered from an active infection in the preceding 90 days.
d. Returning unvaccinated Kenyans who have difficulty accessing vaccines in their current country of residence. Such persons must be prepared to be vaccinated immediately upon arrival and must register for vaccination on Chanjo-Ke platform before departure. Proof of registration shall be required before entry into the country.
2. All travellers coming to Kenya who are fully vaccinated shall be exempt from the requirement of a PCR test.
3. All eligible unvaccinated travellers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya, must be in possession of a valid COVID-19 negative PCR test certificate conducted within 72 hours before departure regardless of the route of entry. Children below the age of five (5) years are exempt from this requirement.
4. Unvaccinated travellers arriving at any point of entry shall be subjected to rapid antigen test at their own cost of 30 USD .Any person who test positive on antigen RDT will be subjected to PCR test at their own further cost of 50 USD and self-isolate. Travelers below the age of five (5) years are exempt from this testing requirement.
5. There will be no paper verification of COVID-19 test results and vaccination certificates upon arrival into Kenya. Airlines should ensure that all travellers have uploaded both documents into global haven before boarding via www.globalhaven.org
6. Operating crew are exempt from COVID-19 test when on a layover between flights. They must adhere to COVID-19 protocols from airport to hotel/residence and back to airport.
7. All travellers will be expected to fill in the traveller’s locator form on the “jitenge” platform.
8. Passengers travelling out of Kenya will be required to abide by the particular travel, health and COVID-19 related requirements of the destination country.
9. Pre-departure testing may be considered at the discretion of any of the airlines departing from or terminating in Kenya.
NB: Travellers whose travel originated in the following countries, or who transited through these countries will be required to undergo a rapid antigen test at the point of entry, free of charge.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria.
