Hospitals for Expatriates and Visitors to Kenya
Kenya is one of East Africa’s largest and most dynamic countries, renowned among visitors and expatriates for its rapidly growing economy and rich cultural experiences. Whether you’re planning a short trip or a long-term stay, it’s essential to understand the healthcare system, especially the availability and quality of hospitals in Kenya.
This guide will help you navigate the hospital system and includes a list of hospitals in Kenya recommended for expatriates and travelers.
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Are Hospitals in Kenya Good?
Kenya’s healthcare system reflects the country’s economic disparities. High-quality medical care is readily available in major cities and metropolitan areas, where wealthier citizens typically reside. In contrast, rural regions often lack access to adequate healthcare services.
Many public hospitals lack access to international staff training, adequate equipment, and proper hygiene standards. While private hospitals offer better care, the cost can be prohibitively expensive for expats without a global health plan.
That’s why having the right insurance is essential to ensure you receive the quality healthcare you may need. Securing private insurance accepted by top hospitals is especially important for more extended stays in Kenya’s major cities.
If you plan to travel beyond the cities or even as a permanent expatriate exploring other regions, it’s also wise to carry travel insurance for added protection.
Before arriving in Kenya, it is crucial to ensure you have quality health insurance.
How Many Hospitals are in Kenya?
Across the country, there are about 5,000 health facilities in Kenya, but not all of them are hospitals. Kenya has five national hospitals, which include:
The national hospitals oversee county hospitals. There is one hospital for each of Kenya’s 47 counties. These county hospitals can provide specialized care, such as life support, surgeries, and access to specialists. They act as the next step up from district and sub-district hospitals. In addition, there are a few private hospitals that focus primarily on the areas of Nairobi and Mombasa.
How Does Kenya’s Hospital System Work?
Kenya’s hospitals are classified on a six-tier system. This system was implemented at the same time as the County Hospital system, in 2010. The six different levels are not about the quality of the hospital but the services it offers and the range of people it serves.
Level 1: Community units (CHUs)
CHUs are health service structures with a defined geographical area assigned to a facility.
Level 2: Dispensaries
Dispensaries are generally staffed with nurses and can only offer basic care, such as for skin conditions or uncomplicated malaria. However, dispensaries are the first point of contact with the entire government-run system, and so more serious cases can be referred to district and sub-district hospitals.
Level 3: Health Centers
Health centers in Kenya can serve populations as large as 80,000 people, offering an array of services and focusing on providing extensive primary care. There are also private clinics that operate between Levels 2 and 3. Nurses often staff these; however, some facilities have a large staff of doctors.
Level 4: District Hospitals
These hospitals are located in a district or county. They provide comprehensive medical care and have the capabilities to perform surgeries.
Level 5: Provincial Hospitals
Provincial hospitals in the Provincial Headquarters are the largest of the County Hospitals.
Level 6: National Hospitals
These include the national hospitals listed above.
Is Healthcare in Kenya Free?
It is not. While Kenya has recently made significant strides towards ensuring all its citizens can access affordable healthcare, there is still a long way to go. International citizens and visitors must come to Kenya prepared to pay for any medical treatment (or, ideally, have their insurance cover it).
In Kenya, you may be refused treatment if you cannot afford to pay. County Hospitals have been known to bar patients they suspect can’t pay from leaving until they have paid their bill, although this practice has been declared illegal.
The Best Hospital Options in Kenya for Expats and Visitors
While expats and visitors can access the government-run hospital system, most prefer to use private hospitals, which, although more expensive, are more akin to what Western visitors are accustomed to. In some cases, there can be extreme differences in cleanliness and quality of care.
Private hospitals and high-quality private clinics in Kenya can be quite expensive by international healthcare standards, so it is vital to ensure you have the right insurance for your time in Kenya.
Recommended Hospitals in Kenya for Visitors and Expats
Hospitals in Nairobi
Acacia Medical Centre, Banda Street
2nd Floor, ICEA Building
Banda Street
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: + 254 20 212 200
Fax: + 254 20 212 434
Acacia Medical Centre – Ralph Bunche Road
General Accident House Ralph Bunche Road
P.O. Box 61405
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: + 254 20 711 611
Fax: + 254 20 711 353
Aga Khan Hospital – Nairobi
PO Box 30270
Third Avenue
Parklands
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: + 254 20 366 2000
Fax: + 254 20 741 749
Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital
Muthaiga Road
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: + 254 20 376 3474
Fax: + 254 20 376 3281
M.P. Shah Hospital Shivachi Road Parklands
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: + 254 20 374 2763
Fax: + 254 20 374 6177
Mater Hospital
P.O. Box 30325
Dunga Road South B
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: + 254 20 556 010
Fax: + 254 20 534289
Nairobi Hospital Argwings
Kodhek Road PO Box 30026
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: + 254 20 272 2160
Fax: + 254 20 272 8003/5237
Upper Hill Medical Centre
Ralph Bunche Road
P.O. Box 10619 – 00100 GPO
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: + 254 20 342 800
Fax: + 254 20 342 809
Hospitals in Mombasa and Diani Beach
Aga Khan Hospital – Mombasa
Nanga Road off Nyerere Avenue
P.O. Box 83013
Mombasa
Kenya
Tel: + 254 41 312 953
Fax: + 254 41 313 278 Mombasa Hospital
PO Box 90294
Mombasa
Kenya
Tel: + 254 11 312 191/228 710
Fax: + 254 11 229 254
Diani Beach Hospital
P.O. Box 5074
Diani Beach
Kenya
Tel: + 254 127 2435
Fax: + 254 127 3080
Recommended Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Kenya
William Russell Health Insurance
- Worldwide coverage with access to private hospitals and trusted medical networks.
- Comprehensive benefits, covering inpatient care, outpatient treatment, mental health, and emergency evacuation.
- Flexible plan levels that let expats choose the coverage and budget that fit their lifestyle.
IMG Global Prima Medical Insurance
- Five flexible plan levels with optional add-ons
- Choose your coverage area based on where you live or travel
- Freedom to select your healthcare provider anywhere in the world
Best Health Insurance Plan for US Citizens Living in Kenya
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
International Citizens Insurance has an experienced team of authors, including expatriates and world travelers, providing curated guidance for our clients.
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