Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital

What Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital does

Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) is a 650-bed public Level 6 National Referral Hospital located along the Northern Bypass in Kahawa, Nairobi, Kenya, established under Legal Notice No. 4 of 2019 and operational since November 2020. It is affiliated with Kenyatta University and operated under the Kenya Ministry of Health, providing tertiary and quaternary care across oncology, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, and trauma. Its flagship asset is the Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC), which houses the first cyclotron and PET-CT diagnostics in sub-Saharan Africa alongside CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery, SPECT CT, brachytherapy, and a GMP-compliant radiopharmacy — capabilities positioned to support medical tourism from across East Africa.

KUTRRH generates revenue primarily through fee-for-service patient care reimbursed via Kenya's national insurance schemes (NHIF and SHA) and a broad panel of private insurers including AAR, Jubilee, Britam, CIC, Madison, Liaison, and GA Insurance, with additional self-pay and walk-in outpatient flows. A second revenue stream comes from the Training Institute of Specialized Nursing (TISN), which delivers higher diploma programs in oncology, critical care, nephrology, and perioperative nursing and has graduated over 90 specialized nurses across three cohorts (2023–2024). International patient services, medical training, and research collaborations with partners such as IAEA, UK NIHR, Manchester University, and The Christie Foundation contribute supplementary professional-services revenue.

The hospital's distribution is anchored by a referral network spanning Kenya's 47 county governments, formalized through MOUs (e.g., Homa Bay County), and supplemented by an International Relations Office providing language interpretation, visa support, and accommodation services to Sub-Saharan African patients. Governance is led by a Board chaired by Prof. Olive Mugenda, with Ahmed Dagane as CEO; the hospital also operates ancillary units including a Wellness Centre, Innovation Hub (MIAH), Funeral Home, Hospitality Centre, and a Breast Care Centre of Excellence.

Name

Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital

Legal name

Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital

Website

https://kutrrh.go.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

KUTRRH is a 650-bed public Level 6 National Referral Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, affiliated with Kenyatta University, providing tertiary and quaternary care across oncology, cardiology, surgery, and maternal health. It operates the Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC) with the first cyclotron and PET-CT in sub-Saharan Africa, and runs TISN for specialized nursing training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tertiary Healthcare Services

NAICS

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (622110), Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals (622310)

SIC

Services-Hospitals (8060)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAFAHAC

Oncology & Cancer Specialty Hospitals

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Specialty Hospitals & Inpatient Specialty Care

SECONDARYHLAFAKAB

Advanced Imaging & Specialty Radiology Centers (PET/CT, Nuclear Medicine, Interventional Radiology)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Diagnostic & Imaging Centers

SECONDARYHLAIAGAI

Nuclear Medicine Clinical Services & Therapy Centers

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Pharmaceuticals/Radiopharmaceuticals & Nuclear Medicine

SECONDARYHLAFAHAA

Cardiac & Cardiothoracic Specialty Hospitals

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Specialty Hospitals & Inpatient Specialty Care

Keywords

• National referral hospital
• Cancer care services
• Specialized nursing training
• Nuclear medicine imaging
• Tertiary healthcare services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Patient Care Services: Fee-for-service revenue from consultations, diagnostics, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, inpatient stays, and specialized procedures across all hospital departments including oncology, cardiology, obstetrics, pediatrics, and more.
2. Health Insurance Billing: Revenue from processing claims through NHIF (National Health Insurance Fund), SHA (Social Health Authority), and multiple private insurance providers including AAR, Jubilee, Britam, CIC, Madison, Liaison, GA Insurance, and others.
3. Training Institute Revenue: Revenue from the Training Institute of Specialized Nursing (TISN) which offers higher diploma programs in Oncology Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Nephrology Nursing, and Perioperative Nursing. Graduation ceremonies have graduated 22+29=51 nurses (2023) and 39 nurses (2024 class).
4. International Patient Services: Revenue from international patients from Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, supported by the International Relations Office which provides interpretation, visa, and accommodation services.
5. Medical Training and Research Collaborations: Revenue and cost-sharing from hosting medical students (Kenyatta University), training programs, and research collaborations with international partners such as NIHR, Manchester University, and The Christie Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KUTRRH is a 650-bed Level 6 National Referral Hospital providing specialized tertiary and quaternary healthcare including oncology (chemotherapy, radiation, CyberKnife radiosurgery), cardiac care, neurosurgery, maternal and pediatric services, advanced diagnostic imaging (PET-CT, SPECT CT, 3T MRI), and kidney care. It also operates the Training Institute of Specialized Nursing (TISN) offering higher diploma programs and the Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC) for cancer diagnostics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cancer Care Services Comprehensive cancer care including chemotherapy, radiation therapy (CyberKnife, brachytherapy), surgical oncology, breast reconstruction, and supportive care for oncology patients across Kenya and East Africa.
• Integrated Molecular Imaging Centre (IMIC) Specialized nuclear medicine imaging and cancer diagnostics offering PET-CT, SPECT CT, CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery, brachytherapy, and Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy for advanced prostate cancer. Includes GMP-compliant radiopharmaceutical manufacturing via cyclotron.
• The Heart Centre Cardiac care services for patients requiring specialized cardiovascular diagnostics and treatment.
• Kidney Care Specialized nephrology services including dialysis and renal care for patients with kidney conditions.
• Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal health services including high-risk obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, Caesarean section services, and reproductive health on a referral basis, with multidisciplinary teams of obstetricians, gynaecologists, anaesthesiologists, and neonatologists.
• Pediatrics Specialized pediatric care including pediatric oncology, pediatric intensive care, pediatric surgery, and neonatal intensive care for children from infancy through adolescence.
• Surgery Services General and specialized surgical services including organ-specific surgeries, neurosurgery, and approximately 25 elective and emergency surgeries per week.
• Training Institute of Specialized Nursing (TISN) Higher diploma programs in Oncology Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Nephrology Nursing, and Perioperative Nursing. Approved by the Nursing Council of Kenya and TVETA. Has graduated over 90 specialized nurses across multiple cohorts.
• Wellness Centre Health and wellness services for staff and patients of KUTRRH.
• Funeral Home Funeral and mortuary services for deceased patients and their families.
• Hospitality Centre Hospitality and accommodation services for international patients and their families visiting KUTRRH for treatment.
• Breast Care Centre Comprehensive breast cancer care services including screening, diagnosis, surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and breast reconstruction, covered by the Social Health Insurance Fund.
• International Patient Services Dedicated services for international patients including language interpretation (French, Kenya Sign Language), visa arrangements, airport pickup, and hospital accommodation coordination, supporting medical tourism across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Quantifiable outcome

• KUTRRH laboratory received ISO accreditation, confirming compliance with international quality standards.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• Government of KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2026The Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Health, co-hosted the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Conference at KUTRRH alongside KUTRRH and GTRCMC – Eastern Africa.
• Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) – Eastern AfricaregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2026GTRCMC – Eastern Africa co-organized the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Conference with the Government of Kenya and KUTRRH to address tourism resilience challenges in Africa.
• Kenyatta UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2025KUTRRH and Kenyatta University signed an MoU to collaborate on medical education, training, and research. KUTRRH is an accredited training site for Kenyatta University medical and nursing students, approved by KMPDC and Nursing Council of Kenya.
• Christie NHS Foundation Trust / Manchester UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025KUTRRH collaborates with Manchester University and The Christie Foundation on oesophageal cancer research across several counties in Kenya, as part of an ongoing international research partnership.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2025KUTRRH and IAEA co-lead regional training on breast cancer imaging, positioning KUTRRH as a center of excellence for cancer care in Africa. This collaboration enhances diagnostic capabilities and provides specialized training for healthcare professionals across the region.
• State Department of Diaspora Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025The Ministry of Foreign Affairs enlisted KUTRRH as a pilot facility for the Diaspora Skills Exchange Program, hosting volunteer Kenyan healthcare professionals from abroad (e.g., two urology volunteers from Minnesota, USA) to facilitate knowledge transfer and skills advancement.
• Safaricom FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2024Safaricom Foundation partnered with KUTRRH to explore opportunities to advance patient-centered care and donated gift packs for new mothers to enhance Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) services.
• Mount Kenya University (MKU)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024KUTRRH signed an MoU with Mount Kenya University (MKU) for collaboration in medical training and education, expanding the hospital's academic partnerships.
• Rwanda Ministry of HealthregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2023KUTRRH's Chairperson Prof. Olive Mugenda and management hosted a delegation from Rwanda led by Dr. Corneille Ntihabose, Head of Clinical & Public Health Services-Rwanda MOH, to explore collaboration in healthcare.
• Homa Bay County GovernmentregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2023KUTRRH and the Homa Bay County Government signed an MOU to partner in technology (HMIS), capacity building, and patient referrals to improve service delivery for the people of Homa Bay County.
• UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2023KUTRRH hosted a delegation from NIHR to discuss ongoing research on oesophageal cancer being undertaken by KUTRRH, Manchester University, and The Christie Foundation across several counties in Kenya.
• Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC)coreOthers · 20 July 2023KMPDC conducted an inspection visit to KUTRRH on 20 July 2023, on the instruction of the Cabinet Secretary for Health, to assess KUTRRH's readiness to train Kenyatta University medical students.
• Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK)coreOthers · 10 July 2023NCK inspected KUTRRH as a training site for Kenyatta University nursing students upon directive from the Cabinet Secretary for Health. NCK also approved the Training Institute of Specialized Nursing (TISN) in 2021.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kenyatta National Hospital: Kenya's flagship public national referral and teaching hospital in Nairobi; the closest direct comparator as another government-affiliated Level 6 teaching/referral hospital with broad specialty services and a similar catchment across East Africa.
• Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi: Major private tertiary teaching hospital in Nairobi offering oncology, advanced imaging, and complex specialty care with comparable patient cohorts; differs in private, premium positioning and serves as the primary private-sector referral destination in Kenya.
• The Nairobi Hospital: Long-established Nairobi private tertiary hospital providing a wide range of specialty and diagnostic services in the same metro catchment; directly competes for insured and self-pay specialty patients that KUTRRH also targets.
• MP Shah Hospital: Nairobi-based private hospital offering advanced diagnostic and specialty services including oncology; competes in the same catchment as KUTRRH for self-pay and insured patients seeking specialty care.

Regional players

• Muhimbili National Hospital: Tanzania's largest public national referral and teaching hospital in Dar es Salaam; comparable as a regional public teaching/referral hospital serving East Africa but operating in a separate national market.
• Mulago National Referral Hospital: Uganda's primary public national referral and teaching hospital in Kampala; comparable in mission and structure as a public Level 6-equivalent referral hospital serving the East African region, though without the same advanced imaging capabilities.
• Aurelia Health (Nairobi Women's Hospital / analogous East African specialty providers): East African specialty hospital groups operating in Kenya and the region; comparable as regional specialist referral providers competing for insured patients, though narrower in oncology and imaging capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital: One of the largest academic and referral hospitals in Africa, located in Johannesburg; comparable as a broad specialty public teaching hospital, though it operates at substantially greater scale and lacks KUTRRH's nuclear medicine and radiopharmacy footprint.
• Tata Memorial Hospital: India's premier public specialty cancer center offering radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, and training programs; comparable as a public specialty oncology institution with a training pipeline, though far larger and more established.

Others

• IAEA Human Health Programme Partner Hospitals (e.g., Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital): Public specialty hospitals collaborating with the International Atomic Energy Agency on nuclear medicine capacity building in Africa; comparable as IAEA partner institutions with related Petch/cyclotron and radiotherapy service profiles to KUTRRH's IMIC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kureferral
• Xx.com/kutrrh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kutrrh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital