Level 5 Health Facilities Kenya Referral Hospitals + All Counties
Level 5 health facilities in Kenya are secondary referral hospitals providing comprehensive medical, surgical, maternity, and specialist services — positioned between Level 4 (primary referral) and Level 6 (national teaching and specialized hospitals). These facilities offer internship training, research capacity, and comprehensive inpatient care. There are 101 licenced Level 5 facilities across 32 counties, and this guide helps you understand what Level 5 hospitals offer, how they compare to other levels, and what SHA/SHIF covers at this level.
Level 5 facilities are secondary referral hospitals where complex cases are referred from Level 2, 3, and 4 facilities. They provide surgical services, maternity care, specialist consultations, and teaching-and-training capacity for medical and paramedical staff. Use the county list below to find Level 5 hospitals near you.
⚡ Quick Answer: A Level 5 health facility is a secondary referral hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical, maternity, and specialist services with internship and training capacity. Kenya has 101 licenced Level 5 hospitals, with 65 private (64.4%), 22 faith-based (21.8%), and 14 public facilities (13.9%). Most are concentrated in urban areas like Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kisii.
Licenced Level 5 Secondary Referral Hospitals Across 32 Counties of Kenya
Level 5 facilities are covered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for inpatient care at KES 4,000 per day (higher than Level 3 or 4). Pre-authorization is often required for admission and specialist services. Always confirm with your specific facility whether they accept SHA/SHIF payments and any pre-authorization requirements before admission. Coverage applies to registered, paid-up SHIF members.
What Is a Level 5 Health Facility? — Official Definition
Under Kenya’s health facility categorization, Level 5 facilities are secondary referral hospitals — the fifth level of care, positioned between primary referral (Level 4) and national teaching hospitals (Level 6). A Level 5 facility:
- Provides comprehensive medical and surgical services — broader than Level 4, including multiple surgical specialties and full maternity services
- Offers internship and staff training capacity — trains medical graduates, nurses, and paramedical staff; serves as a teaching hospital
- Conducts research and operational activities — contributes to health research, innovation, and clinical guidelines development
- Manages complex and referred cases — accepts referrals from Level 2, 3, and 4 facilities for conditions beyond their capacity
- Has multiple inpatient wards and ICU capacity — typically 150–700 beds with intensive care units and specialized wards
- Provides specialist consultation and services — cardiology, orthopedics, pediatrics, psychiatry, oncology (where available), and other specialties
- Operates surgical theatres and emergency departments — 24/7 A&E, emergency stabilization, and elective/emergency surgery capacity
In short: if you need complex surgical care, specialist diagnosis, comprehensive maternity services, or your condition exceeds Level 4 capacity, a Level 5 secondary referral hospital is the appropriate destination.
Level 5 vs Level 3B vs Level 4 vs Level 6 — Key Differences
| Capability | Level 3B (General) | Level 4 (Primary Referral) | Level 5 (Secondary Referral) | Level 6 (National Teaching) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical Theatre | None — general medical only | Yes — limited surgical services | Yes — comprehensive surgical specialties | Yes — all specialties + complex procedures |
| Maternity Services | Basic maternity homes only | Full maternity including C-section | Full maternity + high-risk obstetrics | Full maternity + sub-specialties |
| ICU/HDU Capacity | None | Limited or none | Yes — ICU & HDU beds | Yes — comprehensive critical care |
| Specialist Services | None — general only | Limited (cardiology, pediatrics) | Multiple (cardiology, orthopedics, psychiatry, etc.) | Full range + sub-specialties | Inpatient Tariff (SHIF) | KES 2,400/day | KES 3,500/day | KES 4,000/day | KES 5,000/day |
What Types of Level 5 Facilities Exist in Kenya?
Level 5 encompasses secondary referral hospitals with varying specializations and governance structures. Based on Kenya’s 101 licenced Level 5 facilities, the main categories are:
County Referral Hospitals — Public (14)
Government-owned secondary referral hospitals serving as the principal public facility for each county. Examples: Nairobi County Referral Hospital, Kisii Teaching & Referral Hospital, Kerugoya County Referral Hospital.
Faith-Based Hospitals (22)
Hospitals run by religious organizations and NGOs offering comprehensive services. Examples: AIC Kijabe Hospital, Nazareth Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital Nyabondo. Many have strong internship and training programs.
Private Hospitals (65)
Privately owned secondary referral hospitals ranging from specialized centers to full-service teaching hospitals. Examples: Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu, Siloam Hospital Kericho, St Peters Orthopedics Centre.
By ownership: Private hospitals dominate with 65 facilities (64.4%), followed by faith-based organizations (22 — 21.8%) and public facilities (14 — 13.9%). Level 5 facilities average 183 inpatient beds, with a total capacity of 18,453 beds across all 101 licensed facilities. This reflects Kenya’s reliance on private and faith-based secondary referral capacity.
Level 5 vs Level 4 vs Level 3B — When Should You Go Where?
| Facility Level | Key Services | When to Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3B — General Medical/Dental | Inpatient nursing care, general medical treatment, dental services. No surgery or comprehensive maternity. | When you need admission for nursing care or dental procedures (not maternity/surgery). |
| Level 4 — Primary Referral Hospital | Basic surgery, maternity delivery, limited specialist services, emergency stabilization. No complex surgery. | Referred from Level 3 for surgery, maternity, or emergency care. Local referral hub. |
| Level 5 — Secondary Referral Hospital (Current page) | Comprehensive surgery, specialist services, high-risk maternity, ICU care, internship training, research. | Referred from Level 4 for complex surgery, specialist diagnosis, high-risk pregnancy, or complications. |
| Level 6 — National Teaching Hospital | All Level 5 services plus sub-specialties, advanced research, emergency tertiary care, national referral authority. | Referred for extremely complex cases, rare conditions, or specialized treatment unavailable elsewhere. |
Quick rule: Start at Level 2 or 3 for everyday care. Level 4 handles routine surgery and maternity. Level 5 takes complex and specialist cases. Level 6 is for the most complex or rare conditions requiring national expertise.
SHA/SHIF Coverage at Level 5 Facilities — What’s Covered and How It Works
Level 5 facilities are covered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for inpatient care. Here is the complete breakdown of what is covered at Level 5:
Level 5 SHIF Coverage Breakdown
Important: Not all private Level 5 facilities participate in SHIF. Always confirm with the specific hospital whether they accept SHA/SHIF payments for the services you need and whether pre-authorization is required. Coverage varies based on facility participation and your membership status.
Need to verify your SHA account? Log into Afya Yangu portal to check your registration status, contributions, and coverage details. If you cannot log in, read our phone number change guide for help. For SHA inquiries, call 0800 720 601 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm).
Find Level 5 Health Facilities in Your County
Kenya has 101 Level 5 secondary referral hospitals across 32 counties. Click your county below to see all Level 5 hospitals in your area. These county pages include hospital names, addresses, ownership type, bed capacity, specialties offered, and SHA/SHIF participation status.
Level 5 Hospitals by County — 32 Counties with Facilities
Each county page includes: Hospital names, type (county referral, private, faith-based), addresses, bed capacity, specialties, ownership (public/private/faith-based), and SHA/SHIF participation status. Call ahead to confirm current services, bed availability, and SHA acceptance before visiting or being referred.
Counties With the Most Level 5 Hospitals in Kenya
Level 5 facility distribution is highly concentrated in urban areas and major cities, reflecting population density, healthcare infrastructure, and private investment. The top five counties are:
- Nairobi — 27 facilities (26.7% of all Level 5 hospitals) — by far the highest concentration, including public (Nairobi County Referral), faith-based (Nazareth, AIC Kijabe), and numerous private teaching hospitals.
- Kiambu — 8 facilities (7.9%) — proximity to Nairobi and rapid urbanization supporting secondary referral capacity, including AIC Kijabe Hospital and other faith-based teaching hospitals.
- Kisii — 7 facilities (6.9%) — the highlands region with strong healthcare demand, including Kisii Teaching & Referral Hospital and multiple private institutions.
- Uasin Gishu — 6 facilities (5.9%) — the Rift Valley region with growing secondary referral capacity supporting the northwestern region.
- Nyeri — 5 facilities (5.0%) — the Mt. Kenya region with established healthcare infrastructure and teaching capacity.
At the opposite end, 29 counties have no Level 5 facilities, including Nyamira, Samburu, West Pokot, Turkana, Lamu, and other regions with lower population density or limited healthcare infrastructure. Residents in these areas must travel to neighboring counties or major urban centers for secondary referral services.
Frequently Asked Questions — Level 5 Health Facilities Kenya
What is the difference between Level 5 and Level 4 hospitals?
Level 4 is a primary referral hospital with limited surgical and specialist services. Level 5 is a secondary referral hospital with comprehensive surgery, multiple specialties, ICU capacity, internship training, and research programs. If you need complex surgery or specialist diagnosis, Level 5 is appropriate.
What is the difference between Level 5 and Level 6 hospitals?
Level 6 is a national teaching and referral hospital offering all Level 5 services plus sub-specialties, advanced research, and extremely rare or complex services. Level 5 hospitals are secondary referral centers; Level 6 is the top national referral authority. Most cases stop at Level 5; only the most complex go to Level 6.
How much does inpatient care at Level 5 cost under SHA/SHIF?
KES 4,000 per day for inpatient medical care at Level 5 under SHIF. This covers accommodation, meals, nursing care, investigations, and medications. Limit: up to 50 days per household per year. Days beyond that are charged to the ECCIF fund at the same rate, subject to pre-authorization.
What is included in the KES 4,000 per day Level 5 inpatient tariff?
Hospital accommodation, meals, general ward bed, nursing care, laboratory investigations, basic imaging, routine medications, oxygen, and post-discharge follow-up within the treatment plan. Specialist consultations, advanced imaging (MRI/CT), blood transfusions, and surgery are charged separately under their respective tariffs.
Do I need pre-authorization for Level 5 admission?
Yes, pre-authorization is often required for Level 5 admissions, especially for specialist services, extended stays, and surgical procedures. Contact SHA or your facility to confirm pre-authorization status before admission. Pre-authorization ensures coverage eligibility and may affect out-of-pocket costs.
How many Level 5 hospitals are there in Kenya?
There are 101 licenced Level 5 secondary referral hospitals across 32 counties. Private hospitals dominate (65 — 64.4%), followed by faith-based organizations (22 — 21.8%) and public facilities (14 — 13.9%). The largest concentration is in Nairobi (27 hospitals) and Kiambu (8 hospitals).
Are most Level 5 hospitals in Kenya public or private?
Most are private. Of the 101 licenced Level 5 hospitals, 65 are privately owned (64.4%), 22 are faith-based organizations (21.8%), and 14 are public (13.9%). Private and faith-based institutions provide the majority of secondary referral capacity.
What happens if a Level 5 hospital can’t manage my condition?
You will be referred to a Level 6 national teaching and referral hospital (Kenyatta National Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, or other national facilities) for extremely complex cases, sub-specialties, or rare conditions beyond Level 5 capacity.
Do all private Level 5 hospitals accept SHA/SHIF payments?
No. While many participate in SHIF, not all private Level 5 hospitals accept SHA payments. Always confirm in advance that the specific hospital accepts SHIF for the service you need (inpatient, surgery, maternity, specialist services), as this affects your out-of-pocket costs and coverage eligibility.
What specialties are available at Level 5 hospitals?
Common specialties include cardiology, surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, psychiatry, internal medicine, anesthesia, and emergency medicine. Some Level 5 hospitals offer oncology, nephrology, neurosurgery, or other specialized services. Confirm specific specialty availability with the hospital.
Which county has the most Level 5 hospitals?
Nairobi County has the most, with 27 Level 5 hospitals (26.7% of the national total). Kiambu (8), Kisii (7), and Uasin Gishu (6) follow as the next highest. Most Level 5 facilities are concentrated in urban areas and major cities.
What is the average bed capacity of a Level 5 hospital?
Level 5 hospitals average 183 inpatient beds, with a total national capacity of 18,453 beds across all 101 facilities. However, individual hospitals vary widely — some have 40–60 beds, while major county referral hospitals have 300–700 beds.
What to Do Next — Finding and Visiting a Level 5 Hospital
Use the county list above to see all licenced Level 5 secondary referral hospitals with names, addresses, bed capacity, and ownership details.
Call the hospital to confirm they offer the specific specialty or service you need (cardiology, orthopedics, high-risk maternity, ICU, surgery) and current bed availability.
Contact SHA at 0800 720 601 or the hospital directly to determine if pre-authorization is needed for your admission or procedure. Pre-authorization ensures SHIF coverage and may streamline admission.
Ask the hospital whether they accept SHA/SHIF payments for inpatient care, the specific services you need, and what documentation or authorization is required.
Log into Afya Yangu portal and confirm your account is registered, your contributions are up to date, and you are eligible for SHIF coverage before admission.
At admission, bring your National ID, SHA membership confirmation letter, any pre-authorization documents, and referral letters from your primary facility if applicable.
Disclaimer: This page is an informational guide only and does not constitute medical advice or healthcare recommendations. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider and your primary facility for referral guidance and admission decisions. MyCyber is not affiliated with the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Ministry of Health, or the Government of Kenya. Facility data (names, addresses, ownership, bed capacity) is based on official Kenya health facility licensing records. SHA/SHIF coverage figures, tariffs, and benefits are based on the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, the Primary Healthcare Act 2023, and the published SHA Benefits Package. Coverage rates, facility services, specialties, and accreditation status may change — always call ahead or contact SHA (0800 720 601) to verify current information before referral or admission. For SHA inquiries, contact 0800 720 601 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Kenya time).
