Kenyatta National Hospital

KNH has had three names since its establishment in 1901. It was originally called the Native Civil Hospital & had a bed capacity of 40. It is recorded that in 1908, there were 45 beds & that 712 inpatients and 6,425 outpatients were seen.

A more modern part of the hospital, 300 bedded medical wing was completed in 1939. Extensions were made in 1951 & 1953 with the completion of 300 bedded surgical wing & Ismail Rahimtulla Wing to accommodate patients from the Asian Community, increasing bed capacity to 600.

After independence in 1963, King George VI Hospital was renamed KNH & was declared a national teaching hospital. KNH was envisioned as having 3 main functions:
• Serve as the national referral hospital
• Provide facilities for teaching
• Provide facilities for research

KNH became a State Corporation in 1987. KNH has 50 wards, 22 out-patient clinics, 24 theaters (16 specialized) and Accident & Emergency Department with over 6000 staff members. Out of the total bed capacity of 1800, 209 beds are for the Private Wing.

Fast forward to 2022, KNH has a bed capacity of 1,800, 6,000+ staff members, 50 wards, 22 out-patient clinics, 24 theaters (16 specialized) and Accident & Emergency Department.

KNH is the biggest referral hospital in East & Central Africa. Powered by Kenyans. KNH is 120+ years old.