The Nairobi India medical referral pathway is well established. Kenya Airways and IndiGo fly direct from Nairobi to Mumbai, a flight of a little over six hours, and cancer is among the most common reasons Kenyans travel abroad for care.
How a referral is made matters as much as which hospital you choose. This guide covers what Kenyan authorities have investigated, what the rules say now, and five checks to run before you commit.
Table of Contents
Why Kenyan Patients Choose India
Ministry of Health reports describe cancer as the most common condition among Kenyan medical tourists, according to The Star’s 2022 coverage of a paper by ministry officials and colleagues at Kenyatta National Hospital and the University of Nairobi.
That paper surveyed 254 patients. Quality of care was the main draw for those travelling to India, and cost ranked fifth among the reasons patients gave.
How the Nairobi India Medical Referral Pathway Came Under Investigation
In 2016, The EastAfrican reported that up to 880 doctors in public and private hospitals were under investigation. The allegation was that they misadvised patients to seek treatment abroad in exchange for kickbacks. If the claims were confirmed, the doctors could lose their licences and face criminal charges.
The same newspaper reported alleged kickbacks of up to KSh 200,000 per referral. Separately, David Makumi of the Kenya Network of Cancer Organisations told Business Daily that some providers were receiving up to $1,000 (KSh 102,000) per cancer patient referred to India, for treatment Kenya had the capacity to handle.
Business Daily later reported that all 880 cases had been lodged with the medical board. These were allegations under investigation. They do not show that any individual doctor acted improperly.
Kenya’s Rules on Referrals Abroad
In 2017, the International Medical Travel Journal reported that the Ministry of Health had introduced guidelines with the medical board. A doctor may refer a patient abroad only with evidence that Kenyan hospitals lack the capacity to treat them, and that the referral is the most cost-effective option.
The same report said a practitioner may still refer a patient who chooses to go abroad and pays without public funds. It also repeated the cancer lobby’s claim that referral kickbacks end up inside the patient’s medical bill.
Commissions, Facilitators and Quotes
Medical travel facilitators are often paid a commission by the hospital. Medical Tourism Magazine has put typical facilitator earnings at 10–20% of the procedure cost, and an IMTJ commentary cited 10–15%.
The same commentary argued that commissions can steer patients toward the highest-paying hospital. Its author noted that the facilitator quotations he had seen did not say whether a commission was involved.
The 2017 IMTJ report also warned that some hospitals give vague quotes, and that patients can face far higher final bills than they expected.
SHA Cover for Overseas Treatment
The Social Health Authority (SHA) replaced the NHIF and began operations on 1 October 2024. Many older guides still mention NHIF, so check that any advice you read is current.
From 14 April 2026, SHA began offering an overseas treatment package, according to Citizen Digital. It covers 36 listed conditions that cannot be treated in Kenya, and only at facilities SHA has contracted. Treatment at non-contracted facilities is not covered.
Nine overseas facilities in India, Turkey and Saudi Arabia were named. The Indian ones were KIMS Hospital Enterprises and Apollo Hospitals Enterprises (Apollo Cancer Centre). The Star reported a cap of KSh 500,000 per year. Confirm the current rules with SHA before you plan around them.
Five Checks Before You Follow a Nairobi India Medical Referral Pathway
- Ask why Kenya cannot treat you. Request a clear clinical explanation, not general reassurance.
- Get a second opinion. Choose a specialist with no link to the hospital or facilitator being suggested.
- Ask how everyone is paid. This includes the referring doctor and any facilitator. A clear answer is a good sign, and evasion is worth noting.
- Request an itemised written quote. It should separate procedure, hospital fees, travel, accommodation and facilitator fee, and say what happens if costs rise.
- Check your cover first. Ask SHA or your private insurer what they will fund before you travel.
Where to Report a Suspected Undisclosed Payment
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council accepts written complaints about unprofessional or unethical conduct by practitioners and health institutions. Its public complaints page explains how to file one.
Choose Deliberately
None of this is an argument against treatment in India. The point is that the decision should rest on clinical grounds you understand, not on a payment you cannot see.
If you want help comparing hospitals and quotes, you can contact the MedicHorizon team or browse more guides on medichorizon.com.
Last reviewed 25 October 2026. This article is for general information and is not medical or legal advice. Rules and cover limits can change, so confirm details with the relevant authority.