Healthcare

Nairobi's top private hospitals provide a standard of care comparable to mid-tier Western facilities, with internationally trained specialists, modern imaging, and ICU capabilities. These are the hospitals expats rely on.

Private health insurance is non-negotiable for expats in Kenya. The public system (NHIF) is inadequate for expat needs, and quality private care requires ability to pay.

Kenya requires certain vaccinations and health precautions. Malaria risk varies significantly by altitude and region — Nairobi itself is largely malaria-free due to altitude, but coastal and low-altitude areas are high-risk.

Outside of Nairobi, healthcare quality drops sharply. Coastal areas, rural regions, and smaller towns have very limited medical facilities — this significantly affects the risk calculus for expats based in Diani or travelling on safari.