Nairobi has the best-equipped hospitals in East Africa, and people travel from across the region for treatment here. Quality and prices vary a lot, so it helps to know the main hospitals before you need one.

This is a guide to well-known hospitals, not a ranking.

The major private hospitals

  • Aga Khan University Hospital - Parklands. A teaching hospital with a wide range of specialists, a large emergency department and cancer and heart centres.
  • The Nairobi Hospital - off Argwings Kodhek Road, near Upper Hill. One of the oldest and largest private hospitals, with most specialties.
  • MP Shah Hospital - Parklands. A large general hospital.
  • Karen Hospital - Karen. Known for heart care, and convenient for the south-west of the city.
  • Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital - Muthaiga, with clinics across the city. Specialises in children.
  • Mater Misericordiae Hospital - South B. A mission hospital known for heart surgery and maternity.
  • Nairobi West Hospital and Avenue Hospital - mid-sized hospitals, with branches and clinics in several areas.

Most also run outpatient clinics in malls and suburbs, which are easier for routine visits.

Public hospitals

  • Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) - off Ngong Road. Kenya’s largest referral and teaching hospital, with specialists in almost everything. Much cheaper than private hospitals, but very busy.
  • Mama Lucy Kibaki and Mbagathi - county hospitals.

Emergencies

  • Call 999 or the Kenya Red Cross on 1199 for an ambulance. Many private hospitals and ambulance services have their own numbers, and some insurers include ambulance cover - save the numbers in your phone.
  • Go to the nearest emergency department that can treat you; big private hospitals will stabilise patients first.
  • Carry your insurance or SHA details, ID, and a list of medicines and allergies.

Paying

  • Private hospitals usually ask for a deposit before admission unless your insurer has approved cover.
  • With insurance, check the hospital is on your insurer’s panel, and get pre-authorisation for planned treatment. See Private health insurance.
  • With SHA, ask what SHA will pay for your treatment at that hospital and what you will pay yourself. See Registering for SHA.
  • Ask for an estimate before planned treatment, and an itemised bill after.

Choosing a hospital

  • Location. In traffic, the nearest good hospital matters most in an emergency.
  • Specialists. Ask your GP or paediatrician which hospital they admit to.
  • Your insurance panel.
  • Maternity. See Giving birth in Nairobi.

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