Frequently Asked Questions

Main Contacts
Kenyatta National Hospital,
P. O. Box 20723-00202,
Nairobi.

Tel: 020-2726300
Cell: 0709 854000/ 0730 643000
Email: knhadmin@knh.or.ke
Other Contacts

Office	Telephone
KNH Research and Programs Dept	020 2115953
Labor Ward	020 2711515
Security Control Room	0722 237 881
Hospice (Nairobi Terminal Care Centre)	020 2712361/2719383/2726502
Pediatrics Laboratory	020 2720947
Advanced Nursing I/C	020 2711250

KNH is open 24 hours, 7 days a week.

The visiting hours are at 12.30-2.00 p.m. and 4.30-6.00 p.m. daily unless otherwise communicated

Yes, unless communicated otherwise.

Admission process The patient is seen by the doctor at Accident and Emergency, proper medical diagnosis is done and based on the outcome, the doctor will recommend for admission. In some cases, like emergency cases of injury or mothers who are in labor, admission is done first then admission is done later.
Discharge Process The discharge process starts immediately the doctor completes the case summary of the patient. The nurse then initiates and completes the billing process which is sent to Malipo Centre for clearance.
Admission/Discharge fee The admission and discharge fee varies depending on the medical condition of the patient.

There is no mandatory document required for admission at KNH.

For NHIF Card Holders

• 2 Photocopies of Patient National ID and Contributor’s National ID
• Valid NHIF card
• Completed discharge summary from the ward
• Birth certificate (For patients who are minors)
• 2 copies of the newborns birth notification (Maternity Cases)
• 2 copies of Linda Mama (Mothers using Linda Mama)

For Non-NHIF Card holders

• 2 copies of the National ID of the patient
• 2 copies of the discharge summary

A birth notification can be issued to the mother or next of kin at the labor ward if the baby was delivered at the facility.

In-Patients
It is done at KNH Malipo Centre once the patient or their caregiver presents the discharge summary and required documentation.
Out-Patients
Out-Patients are billed at the respective cashpoints where they have received the services.

The patient must see the social worker (from the ward) who will determine if they’re qualified for credit.

KNH is a referral-only facility. However, emergency cases are attended to at the Accident and Emergency Unit

Lost and found items are taken to KNH security office for identification.

To be issued a wheelchair, the patient’s caregiver is required to leave their identification document such as National ID or Passport which will be issued back after the patient has returned the wheelchair.

You will be required to call KNH referral office to confirm availability. A referral letter is also required from the facility where the patient is currently receiving care.

Casualty Cases
A portrait photograph of the patient is taken and stored in a folder for relatives to identify.
For Patients recovering at the ward
Biometric fingerprints are taken for identification at the Kenya National Identification Bureau (KNIB). If still not found, a portrait photograph is taken and put up on social media for their next of kin to identify.

Yes, you can pay through cash or M-Pesa.

The fee depends on the clinic the patient has been advised to attend which can be advised upon visiting the clinic.

Clinic operating hours run from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. A patient should book a clinic beforehand with a referral from the ward, casualty, staff clinic or from another hospital. The clinic schedule can be found here:

Speech therapy is offered at KNH after referral from the doctor at a fee of Kshs. 1000 per session.

Yes, after approval by the Kenya National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

KNH does not provide wheelchairs for patients. In case of a need, patients are advised to contact the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCWPD).

KNH being a referral only hospital, surgery is scheduled by the doctor attending to the patient unless otherwise advised.

We encourage all mothers to register for NHIF and LINDA MAMA. These insurance funds are provided by the government to cater for delivery and post-delivery cost for the mother making healthcare readily available and reduce mortality rates attributed to childbirth.

The labor ward receives patients referred from other facilities and emergency cases that come in as walk-ins. For one to be admitted in the Labor ward, they will need to come with:

• Ante-natal booklet that contains detailed information of their health and child’s health from the clinic visits attended during the pregnancy
• A delivery bag containing a few essentials that they may need post-delivery for the mother and child
• Kshs. 1,200 for registration before they are admitted

Under the private wing of the hospital, the maternity package is as below:
NORMAL DELIVERY– From Kshs. 55,000 which includes:

• 3 days general bed ward service inclusive of specialist’s charges.
• Normal ward procedures and consumables to include sanitary pads, basin, towel.
• Labor ward charges.
• One pediatrician visit.
• Initial child immunization as per KEPI schedule (BCG & Polio)
• Pain medication in the ward and at discharge.

CAESERIAN SECTION-From Kshs. 160,000 which includes:

• Laboratory tests i.e., grouping, and cross match hemogram urea, electrolytes and creatinine.
• 4 days general ward service inclusive of obstetrician charges.
• Normal ward procedures and consumables to include sanitary pads, basin, towel.
• Operating theater service, medication, and anesthetic services.
• One ward visit by a pediatrician including receiving of the baby in the operating theatre.
• Initial child immunization as per KEPI schedule (BCG & Polio)
• Pain medication in the ward

Patients are expected to pay for their health care costs through user fees. KNH as a parastatal and semi-autonomous government institution requires money to run its activities and that’s why user fees is charged.

For both in-patient and out-patient services KNH has a credit system where clients who are unable to pay their hospital bills are assisted. They receive health care services with a promise of paying the hospital back when they are stable.

Emergency services are also processed through the credit system. KNH advocates for citizens of Kenya to register and pay for NHIF because the fund helps to patient’s manage hospital expenses in the event medical needs arise.

Process of applying for employment in KNH:

1. A job advert with the vacancy is put up on local newspapers and the hospital’s website
2. Download and fill the application form available at KNH website
3. The application form together with a detailed CV indicating qualifications, experience, current responsibilities, copies of testimonials and certificates must be submitted to:
   The Chief Executive Officer
   Kenyatta National Hospital
   P.O. BOX 20723 – 00202
   NAIROBI
4. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and must present the following documents during the interview:
   • A certificate of good conduct from the National Police Service
   • EACC Clearance
   • Credit Reference Bureau Clearance
   • HELB Compliance
   • KRA Tax Compliance

Process for applying for attachment/internship at KNH:
Corporate (Administrative) Services
Step 1

• One’s signed application
• Letter from the training institution referring the student for attachment
• Applicants CV

Step 2

• The applicant to present himself/herself to the Director Human resource with the above documents
• Confirmation of the vacancy is done in the requested department

Step 3

• Once Vacancy is confirmed the applicant will be issued with a checklist (requirements for approval)

NB:KNH is a NITA affiliated institution KNH does not offer paid internships

To volunteer at KNH you will require to have:

• Application letter and CV requesting for the opportunity
• Attach certificates to the application
• Professional qualification/ License (Valid)
• KRA Clearance certificate
• Acceptance letter/ Authority from the Department
• Proof of contract/period
• National Identification card
• Certificate of good conduct
• Two passport size photos
• Two reference letters and their contacts
• Chief’s letter/ proof of known residential address (letter must include chief’s contact)
• Insurance cover for 3 months

Yes, we have the following vaccines available and issued from Monday-Friday at 8am-2pm as below:

• Astra Zeneca
• Pfizer
• Moderna

The cost is Kshs. 5000.

To contact the Covid-19 center, call 020-4243215.
The line is only open on Monday to Friday from 8AM – 5PM.
For further COVID-19 information or enquiries, please contact the Ministry of Health.

Organ sale is strictly prohibited and illegal. You can only donate out of free will.

With a referral letter, visit our Casualty; Accident and Emergency Unit where you will get consultation stating which clinic to go to. You will then be advised to open a file and then book an appointment. In case of an emergency, one doesn’t need a referral letter to access treatment services.

KNH parking rates depends on the amount of time one spends within the hospital. The first one hour is usually free but any additional time spent is charged. We have a parking service provider that uses an automated system that ensures convenience for all our clients

Visit health information Centre (No.19) with the following requirements.

• An official letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer stating the purpose of the report.
• The patient’s hospital card.
• Payment.

The office operates on Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm.

Yes, you can access lab work on doctor’s request at Clinic 23 where you will be guided on where samples can be taken. For emergency cases you can go to Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E) and for private services visit Comprehensive Out-patient Clinic (COC)

At Kenyatta National Hospital, we are committed to providing quality specialized health care for all our patients, in ALL the wards. Our doctors and nurses do clinical ward rounds in both the general and the private wing wards.

KNH accepts NHIF and LINDA MAMA in the general wing. In the private wing of the hospital the following insurance institutions are accepted;
Outpatient: Inpatient;