Who runs public hospitals and health centres: county or national government
Constitution of Kenya 2010 · sources read 2 Oct 2026
County governments run county health facilities and pharmacies, ambulance services and primary health care. The national government runs national referral health facilities and sets health policy.
- Where
- Your county health department for county hospitals, health centres and ambulances; the national government for national referral hospitals
Steps
- For a county hospital, health centre, dispensary or county ambulance, raise the issue with your county's health department.
- National referral hospitals are the national government's responsibility, along with health policy.
- To be seen at Kenyatta National Hospital, come with a referral. Emergencies are seen at the Accident and Emergency Unit.
Watch out
- No one may be denied emergency medical treatment, at any level.
- At KNH you do not need a referral letter in an emergency.
- Counties also license and inspect businesses that sell food to the public.
Who this covers
- Everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including health care services.
Official sources (2)
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions knh.or.ke · read 2 Oct 2026