Level 2 Health Facilities Kenya — All 47 Counties (4,142 Facilities) + SHA Coverage
Level 2 health facilities in Kenya are the second tier of the country’s health system — the dispensaries, medical clinics, dental clinics, eye clinics, and mobile clinics that most people visit first for everyday outpatient care. There are 4,142 licenced Level 2 facilities across all 47 counties, and this guide helps you find the right one near you, understand what they offer, and know what SHA covers at this level.
Level 2 facilities are usually your first point of contact with Kenya’s formal health system, sitting just above community health units. They handle basic outpatient services, preventive care, and minor treatment, referring anything more complex up to Level 3 or Level 4 facilities. Use the county list below to find Level 2 facilities near you.
⚡ Quick Answer: A Level 2 health facility is a basic outpatient facility — a health clinic, dispensary, dental clinic, eye clinic, or mobile clinic — offering everyday medical, dental, and minor outpatient services. Kenya has 4,142 licenced Level 2 facilities, the large majority privately owned (3,529), alongside faith-based (372) and public (241) facilities. Find county-specific lists below.
Licenced Level 2 Health Facilities Across All 47 Counties of Kenya
Level 2 facilities are funded primarily through the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF), not the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). Coverage depends on whether the facility reports to the national health information system, so always confirm SHA/PHF acceptance directly with the clinic before your visit.
What Is a Level 2 Health Facility? — Official Definition
Under Kenya’s official health facility categorisation, Level 2 facilities are the second level of care, sitting directly above Level 1 community health units. A Level 2 facility:
- Offers basic outpatient services — general consultation, diagnosis, and treatment of common conditions
- Includes several distinct facility types — health clinics, dental clinics, dispensaries, mobile clinics, eye clinics, home-based care services, and standalone funeral facilities
- Encompasses multiple ownership models — public, private, school-based, company-based, and faith-based facilities all fall under Level 2
- Operates without inpatient beds — Level 2 is outpatient-only; anything requiring admission is referred to Level 3 or above
- Serves as the most accessible entry point into Kenya’s formal health system for most households, alongside Level 1 community health services
In short: if you need a routine consultation, a basic dental check-up, an eye test, or care for a common illness, a Level 2 facility is usually your nearest and fastest option — before any referral to a hospital is needed.
What Types of Level 2 Facilities Exist in Kenya?
Level 2 is not one type of building — it covers several distinct facility types, each licenced separately. Based on Kenya’s 4,142 licenced Level 2 facilities, here is the breakdown:
Medical Clinics — 3,004 facilities
The largest category by far. General outpatient consultation, diagnosis, and treatment for common conditions. Mostly privately owned.
Dispensaries — 523 facilities
Basic outpatient and medication dispensing services. Includes public, private, school-based, company-based, and faith-based dispensaries.
Dental Clinics — 421 facilities
Outpatient facilities specifically for treatment of dental-related problems, including general dentistry and minor oral procedures.
Eye Clinics — 94 facilities
Outpatient treatment for eye conditions, including optical services, for visits of no more than twelve hours.
Faith-Based Dispensaries — 92 facilities
Dispensary services operated specifically under faith-based organizations, often serving rural and underserved communities.
Mobile Clinics — 8 facilities
Health facilities that operate by moving between locations, extending outpatient access to areas without a fixed nearby facility.
By ownership, Level 2 facilities in Kenya are predominantly private (3,529 facilities), with faith-based organizations (372) and public facilities (241) making up the rest. This is the opposite pattern from higher-level hospitals, where public and larger institutional ownership becomes more common.
Level 2 vs Level 3 — When Should You Go Higher?
| Facility Level | Services Available | When to Visit |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 — Community Health Unit | Preventive care, health education, screening, and referral by community health workers and volunteers. | Routine health promotion, early detection, and defaulter tracing within your community. |
| Level 2 — Health Clinic / Dispensary / Dental / Eye / Mobile Clinic (Current page) | Basic outpatient consultation, diagnosis, treatment, dispensing, dental and eye care. No inpatient beds. | Routine illness, basic dental or eye care, medication needs, and minor outpatient treatment. |
| Level 3 — Comprehensive / General / Basic Health Centre | Comprehensive curative, preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative services, including maternity and theatre services at Level 3A facilities. | When your condition needs more than basic outpatient care, including minor procedures or maternity services. |
| Level 4 and above | Hospital-level inpatient care, surgery, specialist services, and emergency care. | Complex conditions, emergencies, surgery, or anything referred up from Level 2 or 3. |
Quick rule: Start at Level 2 for everyday outpatient needs. If the facility cannot manage your condition, you will be referred to Level 3 or higher — this referral chain is by design, not a sign that something went wrong with your initial visit.
SHA Coverage at Level 2 Facilities — What’s Covered and How It Works
Level 2 facilities are funded primarily through the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF) — a separate component from the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) that covers Level 4-6 hospitals. Here is what applies at Level 2:
Level 2 PHF / SHA Coverage Breakdown
Important: Not every private Level 2 facility participates in PHF reporting. Always confirm with the specific clinic or dispensary whether they report to the national health information system and accept SHA/PHF coverage before your visit.
Need to verify your SHA account? Log into Afya Yangu portal to check your registration status, contribution payments, and coverage details. If you cannot log in, read our phone number change guide for help.
Find Level 2 Health Facilities in Your County
Kenya has 4,142 Level 2 health facilities across all 47 counties. Click your county below to see all Level 2 facilities — clinics, dispensaries, dental and eye clinics — in your area. These county pages include facility names, addresses, ownership type, and SHA/PHF participation status.
Level 2 Facilities by County — All 47 Counties
Each county page includes: Facility names, type (medical clinic, dispensary, dental clinic, eye clinic, or mobile clinic), addresses, ownership (public/private/faith-based), and licensing status. Call ahead to confirm current services and SHA/PHF participation before visiting.
Counties With the Most Level 2 Facilities in Kenya
Level 2 facility density varies widely by county, generally tracking population size and urbanization. The five counties with the most Level 2 facilities are:
- Nairobi — 805 facilities — by far the highest concentration nationally, reflecting the county’s population density and the large number of private clinics.
- Kiambu — 355 facilities — the second-highest count, driven by its proximity to Nairobi and rapid urban growth.
- Nakuru — 267 facilities — the largest concentration in the Rift Valley region.
- Meru — 180 facilities — the highest count in the Mt. Kenya region.
- Machakos — 178 facilities — the highest count in the Lower Eastern region.
At the other end, counties such as Lamu (9 facilities), West Pokot (12), Wajir (13), and Tana River (13) have far fewer Level 2 facilities, consistent with lower population density and historically underserved regions.
Frequently Asked Questions — Level 2 Health Facilities Kenya
What counts as a Level 2 health facility in Kenya?
Level 2 covers health clinics, dental clinics, dispensaries (including faith-based dispensaries), eye clinics, mobile clinics, home-based care services, and standalone funeral facilities. They all provide basic outpatient services without inpatient admission.
How many Level 2 health facilities are there in Kenya?
There are 4,142 licenced Level 2 health facilities across all 47 counties of Kenya. Medical clinics make up the largest share at 3,004 facilities, followed by dispensaries (523), dental clinics (421), eye clinics (94), faith-based dispensaries (92), and mobile clinics (8).
Does SHA cover treatment at Level 2 facilities?
Level 2 facilities are funded mainly through the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF) rather than SHIF. The PHF allocation is KES 900 per person per year, covering outpatient consultation, basic lab tests, basic radiology, and prescribed medication, provided the facility reports to the national health information system.
What is the difference between a dispensary and a medical clinic?
Both are Level 2 outpatient facilities offering similar basic services. Dispensaries traditionally emphasize medication dispensing alongside consultation and are commonly public, faith-based, school-based, or company-based. Medical clinics are the larger, more numerous category nationally and are predominantly privately owned.
Can I get dental or eye care at a Level 2 facility?
Yes. Dedicated dental clinics (421 nationally) and eye clinics (94 nationally) are licenced Level 2 facility types. Eye clinics provide treatment for outpatient eye conditions, including optical services, for visits of up to twelve hours.
Which county has the most Level 2 health facilities?
Nairobi County has the most, with 805 licenced Level 2 facilities — nearly one-fifth of the national total. Kiambu (355) and Nakuru (267) follow as the next highest.
Are most Level 2 facilities in Kenya public or private?
Most are private. Of the 4,142 licenced Level 2 facilities, 3,529 are privately owned, 372 are faith-based organizations, and 241 are public. This is a higher private-ownership share than at hospital levels (4 and above).
What happens if a Level 2 facility can’t treat my condition?
You will be referred to a Level 3 facility (comprehensive, general, or basic health centre) or, if needed, directly to a Level 4 hospital. This referral pathway is a normal and expected part of Kenya’s tiered health system.
Do mobile clinics count as Level 2 facilities?
Yes. Mobile clinics — facilities that operate by migrating from one area to another — are officially classified as Level 2, though they are the rarest facility type, with only 8 licenced nationally.
Is a faith-based dispensary different from a regular dispensary under SHA?
Both fall under the same Level 2 dispensary classification and PHF funding model. The distinction in licensing is ownership type (Faith Based Organization vs. public/private), not a different service scope. Both are eligible for PHF allocation if they report to the national health information system.
What if my county has very few Level 2 facilities?
Counties like Lamu, West Pokot, Wajir, and Tana River have lower facility counts due to lower population density. If your nearest Level 2 facility is far away, your local Level 1 community health unit can often help with preventive care, screening, and referral in the meantime.
What to Do Next — Finding and Visiting a Level 2 Facility
Use the county list above to see all licenced Level 2 facilities — clinics, dispensaries, dental and eye clinics — near you.
Call ahead to confirm the facility reports to the national health information system and accepts SHA/PHF coverage for your specific need, since this varies especially among private clinics.
Log into Afya Yangu portal and verify your account is active before your visit.
At your visit, the facility will use this to confirm your registration and coverage status, if applicable.
If the Level 2 facility cannot manage your condition, ask for a referral to the appropriate Level 3 or Level 4 facility, and keep any documentation provided for your next visit.
Disclaimer: This page is an informational guide only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, and medical 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, type) is based on official Kenya health facility licensing records. SHA/PHF coverage figures are based on the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, the Primary Healthcare Act 2023, and the published SHA Benefits Package. Coverage rates, accreditation status, and facility details may change — always call ahead to verify current information. For SHA inquiries, contact 0800 720 601 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Kenya time).
