Kenya (KE)

Kenya is East Africa's economic, tech, and diplomatic powerhouse — home to the United Nations' Africa headquarters, the Silicon Savannah startup ecosystem, and some of the world's most iconic wildlife.

Capital: Nairobi

Region: Africa

Language: Swahili

Currency: KES (Ksh)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 30)

Emergency: 999

Healthcare in Kenya

Kenya has a mixed healthcare system with a large and growing private sector serving the middle class and expatriates, and a public system that covers the majority of Kenyans. The government launched the Social Health Authority (SHA) in October 2023 to replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), with the aim of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Private hospitals in Nairobi — particularly Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, and MP Shah — provide world-class care on par with European standards. Most expats opt for private comprehensive health insurance given the cost and quality differential between public and private care.

Private sector: world-class in Nairobi. Public sector: variable quality, overcrowded in urban areas, severely under-resourced in rural areas.

Public healthcare: Social Health Authority (SHA)

Mamlaka ya Afya ya Jamii

Eligibility:All Kenyan residents including expatriates. Mandatory contribution through payroll (2.75% employee + 2.75% employer). Self-employed contribute minimum KES 300/month.

Monthly cost:2.75% of gross salary (employee portion). Employer contributes additional 2.75%.

What's included:

Inpatient hospital care at SHA-accredited facilities (public and some private)
Outpatient consultation at SHA-accredited facilities
Maternity care
Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension)
Emergency care
Some surgical procedures
Renal dialysis (with limits)
Cancer treatment at specified centres

Not included (or co-pay required):

Most cosmetic procedures
Private hospital amenities above standard ward
Most dental care (except extractions)
Optical care beyond basic
International medical evacuation
Some specialist treatments
Private hospitals not SHA-accredited

Co-payments:SHA covers a portion of costs at accredited facilities. Patient may be responsible for top-up amounts above SHA benefit levels. Top-up costs vary by facility and procedure.

How to enrol:Automatic for formal sector employees through payroll. Self-employed and informal workers register at SHA offices or online. SHA registration certificate required for access to benefits.

Waiting period:Benefits typically available after 3 months of continuous contributions for non-emergency care.

Private healthcare: Private Health Insurance

Who can use it:Available to all residents and expatriates. Most international employers provide group health insurance as part of the compensation package.

When it makes sense:For all expatriates — private insurance provides access to top private hospitals (Aga Khan, Nairobi Hospital, MP Shah), avoids long queues, ensures English-speaking specialists, and typically includes international evacuation/repatriation coverage.

Monthly cost:KES 5,000–25,000/month individual; KES 15,000–60,000/month family. International medical insurance (BUPA, Cigna, Allianz): USD 100–500+/month.

Major providers:

Jubilee Health Insurance (Kenya's largest private insurer)AAR Insurance KenyaBUPA Global / BUPA AfricaAllianz CareCigna GlobalMadison InsuranceCIC Insurance GroupResolution Health

Accessing care

GP system

No formal GP gatekeeping system in Kenya. Private patients can self-refer directly to specialists. Many expats use GP clinics (Karen Hospital Outpatient, Aga Khan Parklands clinic, Nairobi Hospital Family Medicine) as a first point of contact. General practitioner consultation: KES 2,000–5,000 at private clinics.

Specialist referral

Self-referral is possible for private patients. Insurance companies may require a GP referral letter for specialist coverage. Public hospital referrals follow a tiered system from health centres to district hospitals to referral hospitals (Kenyatta National Hospital is the apex).

Emergency care

Dial 999 or go directly to private hospital A&E. Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, and MP Shah have 24/7 emergency departments with trauma capabilities. Public emergency care available at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) but often overwhelmed.

Out of hours

Private hospital emergency departments are available 24/7. Many private clinics have on-call doctors. Aga Khan Hospital: +254 20 3662000. Nairobi Hospital: +254 20 2845000. Karen Hospital: +254 709 888 000.

Prescriptions

Prescription drugs from any registered doctor. Most private hospitals and large pharmacy chains (Goodlife, Haltons, Pharmacy Plus) stock international generic and brand medications. Prescriptions for controlled substances (opioids, some psychiatric meds) require special permits. Import of personal medications allowed with prescription and reasonable quantity.

Dental

Largely out-of-pocket. Basic dental consultation: KES 2,000–5,000. Private dental practices throughout Nairobi (Karen, Westlands, Lavington). Some health insurance plans include dental with sub-limits. SHA provides minimal dental coverage (extractions only).

Mental health

Growing but still developing sector. Private psychiatrists available in Nairobi (Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi Hospital). Therapists and psychologists increasingly available (40–80 USD/session). Mathare National Hospital is the main public psychiatric facility. Befrienders Kenya provides crisis support.

Maternity

Excellent private maternity facilities in Nairobi. Aga Khan, Nairobi Hospital, and MP Shah have fully equipped maternity wards with English-speaking OB/GYN. Private maternity costs: KES 100,000–500,000+ depending on type of delivery. Insurance coverage for maternity typically has waiting periods — enrol before pregnancy.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Confirm your employer's group health insurance coverage — most international employers provide comprehensive private health insurance for expats
Register for SHA within 90 days (mandatory contribution even if you have private insurance)
Register with a private GP clinic near your residence area
Save emergency contacts for Aga Khan (+254 20 3662000) and Nairobi Hospital (+254 20 2845000)
If using international insurance (BUPA/Cigna/Allianz), confirm which Kenyan private hospitals are direct billing partners
Ensure your insurance includes emergency medical evacuation — critical for serious conditions requiring care not available in Kenya

Finding English-speaking doctors:All major private hospitals in Nairobi operate fully in English. Most specialist doctors in private practice are trained in Kenya, UK, India, or USA and are English-speaking. Finding French, German, or other language-speaking doctors requires specific referrals.

International insurance:Highly recommended. AMREF Flying Doctors (Africa-focused medevac and evacuation insurance) is strongly recommended for expats travelling outside Nairobi: annual membership from USD 70–120. International SOS provides 24/7 medical and security assistance for expat-employer groups.

Emergency card info:Carry your SHA card and private insurance card at all times. Private insurance companies typically issue a digital card via app (Resolution Health, Jubilee). Hospital A&E will request these on arrival.

EHIC notes:EHIC does not apply in Kenya. Carry your private insurance contact number and claim form details. AMREF Flying Doctors membership is the equivalent of essential evacuation insurance for Kenya-based expats.

Pharmacies (Pharmacy / Duka la Dawa)

Hours:8am–9pm daily. Some 24-hour pharmacies at major private hospitals.

After-hours / emergency:Aga Khan Hospital pharmacy and Nairobi Hospital pharmacy are 24/7. Major shopping mall pharmacies (Westgate, Garden City) may have extended hours.

Prescription rules:Prescription from a registered Kenyan doctor required for most prescription medications. Some common medications that require prescriptions in Europe can be purchased over-the-counter in Kenya. Controlled substances require government-issued prescription forms.

Available over-the-counter:

Antimalarials (Malaron, Coartem — available OTC)
Oral rehydration salts
Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin
Antihistamines (Loratadine, Cetirizine)
Antiseptic cream and bandages
Mosquito repellents (DEET-based)
Sunscreen (SPF 30–50)
Oral contraceptives (most available OTC)

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	KES 0–500 copay (insurance covers most)
GP visit (private pay)	KES 2,000–5,000
Specialist visit	KES 5,000–15,000
Emergency visit	KES 5,000–20,000+ (without insurance)
MRI scan	KES 25,000–60,000
Prescription average	KES 500–3,000 per course
Dental check-up	KES 2,000–5,000
Baby delivery	KES 100,000–350,000 (normal) / KES 200,000–500,000 (C-section) at private hospital

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