Hospitals for Expatriates and Visitors to Kenya
Kenya is one of East Africa's largest and most dynamic countries, popular among visitors and expatriates for its fast-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.
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 international staff training, equipment, and 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, ensuring you have quality health insurance is crucial.
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 are:
Kenyatta National Hospital
Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital
The National Spinal Injury and Referral Hospital
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 focused primarily in 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 put in place 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 a population as large as 80,000 people, offer an array of services, and are focused on offering extensive primary care. There are also private clinics that operate between Levels 2 and 3. Only nurses often staff these; however, some do 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 are the five national hospitals listed above.
Is Healthcare in Kenya Free?
It is not. While Kenya has recently taken great strides towards ensuring all its citizens can access healthcare they can afford, there is a long way to go. International citizens and visitors must come to Kenya prepared to pay for any medical treatment (or, better yet, have their insurance pay). In Kenya, you can be refused treatment if you cannot pay. The County Hospitals have been known to bar patients they suspect can’t pay from leaving until they have paid their bill, though this 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, though more expensive, are more like 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
Best Health Insurance Plan for Expats in Kenya
IMG Global Prima Medical Insurance Plan
- Five plan options and additional optional benefits to include
- Choice of the coverage area to reflect your geographical area of need
- Freedom to choose your health care provider wherever you are in the world
William Russell Health Insurance
- William Russell plans cover you internationally, both in the country you reside in and wherever you are traveling to (addons required for USA)
- Their network includes 40,000 hospitals around the world.
- Plans have comprehensive cancer coverage, including genome testing.
Best Health Insurance Plan for US Citizens Living in Kenya
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad
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