Level 6 Hospitals in Nairobi County — Complete List of All 5 National Teaching & Referral Hospitals (2026)
Level 6 hospitals in Nairobi County are Kenya’s highest-tier healthcare facilities — national teaching and referral hospitals that handle the most complex medical cases in the country. This is the complete, verified list of all 5 Level 6A hospitals in Nairobi County that are licensed and accredited under the SHA provider network.
Whether you have been referred from a lower-level facility, need specialist tertiary care, or want to confirm SHA acceptance at a Level 6 hospital in Nairobi, this guide covers every facility — with bed capacity, ownership type, services available, and exactly how to access care under your SHA registration.
✓ Important: Level 6 hospitals require a referral from a lower-level facility for most non-emergency admissions. Walk-in access is available for emergencies. Always verify your SHA status is Active by dialling *147# before visiting any facility.
Level 6 hospitals are national teaching and referral hospitals — the top tier. If you are looking for the broader list of all SHA-accredited hospitals in Nairobi (Levels 2–5), see our SHA Accredited Hospitals Nairobi page. This page covers Level 6A only.
All 5 Level 6A Hospitals in Nairobi County — Detailed Profiles
Below is a detailed profile of every Level 6 hospital in Nairobi County, including ownership type, bed capacity, specialist services, and SHA acceptance status.
Kenyatta National Hospital is Kenya’s largest public referral hospital and the primary national teaching hospital for the University of Nairobi’s College of Health Sciences. With 1,800 beds, it handles the most complex medical and surgical cases referred from across all 47 counties. KNH operates all major specialties and is the country’s primary trauma and burns centre.
Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) is Kenya’s newest Level 6A national referral hospital, opened in 2021 to serve Nairobi’s northern corridor and reduce congestion at KNH. The 650-bed facility is a modern, fully digital hospital offering advanced tertiary care across multiple specialties, with a strong focus on research and postgraduate medical training at Kenyatta University.
Mama Margaret Uhuru Paediatric Hospital is Kenya’s dedicated national paediatric referral centre, operating as an annex of Kenyatta National Hospital. The 350-bed facility specialises exclusively in children’s healthcare — from neonatal intensive care to complex paediatric surgery. It is the highest-level paediatric facility in the country and the primary referral destination for children with complex medical needs from across Kenya.
Coptic Hospital on Ngong Road is Nairobi’s only faith-based Level 6A national teaching and referral hospital, operated under the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt. With 260 beds and over 50 years of operation in Kenya, Coptic Hospital is renowned for ophthalmology and eye surgery, general surgery, and internal medicine. It offers specialist outpatient and inpatient care in a setting that combines tertiary-level medical services with a charitable ethos — making it an important facility for SHA members seeking specialist care.
The Nairobi South Hospital is Nairobi County’s only private Level 6A national teaching and referral hospital, making it a significant option for SHA members who prefer private tertiary care. With 250 beds, it provides a full range of specialist inpatient and outpatient services with shorter waiting times than the public national referral hospitals. SHA members can access covered services at this facility using their active SHA registration — confirm SHA-covered services with the admissions desk before admission.
Level 6A Hospitals in Nairobi — Summary Comparison
Use this table to compare all five Level 6A hospitals in Nairobi County at a glance before deciding which facility to visit or request a referral to.
| Hospital | Ownership | Beds | Key Specialty | SHA Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenyatta National Hospital | Public | 1,800 | All specialties, Trauma, Burns, Neurosurgery | ✓ Yes |
| KUTRRH | Public | 650 | Cardiac, Cancer, Renal, Research | ✓ Yes |
| Mama Margaret Uhuru Paediatric Hospital | Public | 350 | Paediatrics & Neonatal (children only) | ✓ Yes |
| Coptic Hospital — Ngong Road | Faith-Based (FBO) | 260 | Ophthalmology, General Surgery | ✓ Yes |
| The Nairobi South Hospital | Private | 250 | Full specialist care, shorter wait times | ✓ Yes |
Disclaimer: MyCyber (mycyber.co.ke) is an independent educational website and is not affiliated with the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Ministry of Health, or the Government of Kenya. All facility data is sourced from the official SHA provider network register and KMPDC licensed provider database as of June 2026. Facility details, bed capacities, and SHA accreditation status may change. Always verify directly with your chosen facility and SHA that they are currently accredited and accepting SHA coverage before visiting. SHA toll-free helpline: 0800 720 601. Sources: sha.go.ke, afyayangu.go.ke, KMPDC facility register, Social Health Insurance Act 2023.
