Kenya is a major hub for regional operations, NGO coordination and business travel across East Africa. For many organisations, Nairobi is the base — but the work often takes people well beyond it.
This is specialist cover designed for field teams, NGOs, contractors and business travellers whose work takes them into less predictable operating environments across the region.
What's included
Kenya is a regional base for many organisations — but the field work and travel that originates there can take people into environments that standard insurance is not designed for.
Kenya is not the same as the region it sits in.
For many organisations, Nairobi is the coordination point — but the field work, partner visits and regional travel can involve conditions quite different from the city. The right cover reflects the full picture of the work, not just the country of departure.
Country context
The situation
Kenya is East Africa's primary hub for international organisations, serving as the headquarters for UN agencies, major NGOs and media organisations covering the region. Nairobi has good infrastructure, strong medical facilities and established international networks. For most operations centred on Nairobi, the environment is manageable if complex.
Al-Shabaab (the Somali jihadist group, not Mozambique's Ansar al-Sunna) poses a specific terrorism risk in Kenya. The 2013 Westgate Mall attack, the 2015 Garissa University attack and the 2019 DusitD2 complex attack in Nairobi all demonstrated al-Shabaab's capacity for sophisticated mass-casualty attacks inside Kenya. The group also conducts frequent attacks along the Kenyan-Somali border.
Northern Kenya — particularly Garissa, Mandera and Wajir counties — carries specific al-Shabaab and inter-communal conflict risk. Operations in these areas require comprehensive security planning. The rest of Kenya outside Nairobi requires awareness of road safety and intercommunal conflict, which causes casualties in rift valley and pastoral areas.
What to watch
Why it can be challenging
Al-Shabaab mass-casualty attack capability in Nairobi
Al-Shabaab has demonstrated the ability to conduct complex, coordinated attacks on commercial and international targets in Nairobi. Westgate, Garissa and DusitD2 are documented precedents. International venues remain targets.
Al-Shabaab border operations in north-east Kenya
Al-Shabaab regularly crosses from Somalia to conduct attacks in Garissa, Mandera and Wajir counties. Aid workers, schools and security forces have been targeted. Operations in north-east Kenya require specific security arrangements.
Kidnapping along the Kenyan-Somali border
Aid workers have been kidnapped along the Kenyan-Somali border and taken into Somalia. Al-Shabaab-affiliated groups have conducted kidnappings targeting international workers.
Intercommunal violence in pastoral areas
Cattle raiding, resource conflict and political violence causes casualties in Kenya's rift valley and pastoral counties annually. Field operations in these areas require conflict sensitivity and local conflict dynamics awareness.
Can you get insurance for Kenya?
We provide specialist insurance for non-combatants travelling to and from Kenya for professional and operational reasons.
Cover depends on clear disclosure of where you are going, what you are doing and the conditions likely to affect the work — including any field travel beyond Nairobi.
Why this matters in Kenya
Kenya is a major hub for NGO coordination, development programmes and regional business travel. For many organisations, Nairobi is where the work is managed — but not always where it is carried out.
Field travel, partner visits, cross-border movement and remote programme work can all involve operating conditions that standard insurance is not designed to cover properly.
Specialist cover ensures the policy reflects the full picture of the work — not just the name of the country on the itinerary.
Practical relevance
Cover for NGO and programme staff based in Nairobi whose work involves regional travel, field visits and cross-border operations.
Cover for field travel beyond Nairobi into areas where conditions, infrastructure and medical access may be significantly different.
Cover for business travellers and operational teams moving through Kenya for meetings, assessments or regional coordination.
Cover for researchers, consultants and development programme staff working across different parts of the country.
Emergency support
NGS provides 24/7 support and can coordinate treatment, evacuation and onward care where required — whether the incident happens in Nairobi or in a more remote part of the region.
Continuity
Yes. Eligible personal accident benefits can continue after you return to your country of domicile, subject to the policy terms.
Exclusions
This policy protects people, not possessions.
Cover not included
Activity exclusions
Property exclusions
Threat intelligence
For a deeper understanding of the current situation, including operational risks and regional dynamics, see our threat intelligence hub.
Common questions
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