X-Ray Cost in Kenya
What you actually pay at public, county and private facilities in 2026, plus what SHA (which replaced NHIF) covers for X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: A basic chest or limb X-ray in Kenya costs roughly KSh 500–2,000 (about $4–15) at public and county hospitals such as Kenyatta National Hospital or Mbagathi, about KSh 1,700–3,000 ($13–23) at mid-tier private clinics, and KSh 3,000–8,000 ($23–62) at premium private hospitals like Aga Khan or Nairobi Hospital. If you are registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), basic X-rays and ultrasounds are part of the Primary Healthcare Fund package at Level 2, Level 3 and selected Level 4 facilities in your primary care network.
Quick Overview
Kenya replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) with the Social Health Authority (SHA) on 1 October 2024. SHA runs three funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF), the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF). Salaried workers contribute 2.75% of gross pay with no cap, and the minimum contribution is KSh 300 per month. For anyone paying out of pocket, price depends far more on where you go than on the body part: the same chest X-ray can cost five to ten times more at a premium Nairobi hospital than at a county referral hospital.
🏥 Public & County Hospitals
- Kenyatta National Hospital, Mbagathi, county Level 4/5 hospitals
- Chest X-ray approx. KSh 500–1,500; Nairobi public up to ~2,000
- Limb (hand, foot, leg) approx. KSh 800–2,500
- Longer queues; machines occasionally out of service
🏢 Mid-Tier Private Clinics
- Standalone imaging centres and neighbourhood hospitals
- Basic chest or limb X-ray in the KSh 1,700–3,000 range
- Walk-in, same-day service is common
- Satellite towns are usually cheaper than central Nairobi
⭐ Premium Private Hospitals
- Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, MP Shah, Karen
- Basic chest X-ray roughly KSh 3,000–8,000
- Radiologist report usually included or same-day
- Accepts private insurance and SHA (at accredited sites, with top-ups)
X-Ray Prices in Kenya by Exam Type (2026)
The table compares typical self-pay prices at public/county hospitals and private facilities. Chest and limb figures come from 2026 Kenyan cost guides. Multi-view studies (spine, pelvis, abdomen) are approximate, because Kenyan hospitals rarely publish full tariff sheets. Always ask for a written quote before the scan.
| Exam | Public / county (KES) | Private (KES) | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest (PA or AP, single view) | 500–2,000 | 1,700–8,000 | $4–62 |
| Hand / wrist | 800–2,500 | 1,700–4,000 (approx.) | $6–31 |
| Ankle / foot | 800–2,500 | 1,700–4,000 (approx.) | $6–31 |
| Knee | 800–2,500 | 1,700–4,500 (approx.) | $6–35 |
| Cervical spine (AP + lateral) | 1,000–3,000 (approx.) | 2,500–6,000 (approx.) | $8–46 |
| Lumbar spine (AP + lateral) | 1,000–3,000 (approx.) | 2,500–6,000 (approx.) | $8–46 |
| Pelvis / hips | 1,000–2,500 (approx.) | 2,000–5,000 (approx.) | $8–38 |
| Abdomen (plain film) | 1,000–2,500 (approx.) | 2,000–5,000 (approx.) | $8–38 |
| Dental — periapical (per view) | — | 1,000–2,000 | $8–15 |
| Dental — panoramic (OPG) | — | 2,000–4,000 (approx.) | $15–31 |
USD at approximately KSh 129–130 = $1 (mid-2026 rate). "Approx." rows are estimates scaled from published chest/limb prices and should be confirmed with the facility. Premium Nairobi hospitals sit at the top of each private range; clinics in satellite towns (Kitengela, Thika, Ongata Rongai, Ruiru) tend to sit at the bottom.
CT, MRI and Ultrasound Compared
If your doctor wants more than a plain X-ray, costs jump sharply. SHA pays a fixed tariff per scan under the SHIF imaging package, capped at two of each imaging service per household per year. Facilities that charge more than the tariff may ask you to pay the difference.
| Scan | Public (KES) | Private self-pay (KES) | SHA tariff (KES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic ultrasound (abdominal, pelvic, obstetric) | Covered under PHF at Level 2–4 for SHA members | Varies; ask for a quote | Within PHF outpatient capitation |
| Doppler (specialised) ultrasound | — | Varies | 5,000 |
| CT head | Approx. 6,000–15,000 | 6,900 | |
| CT chest | Approx. 8,000–18,000 | 6,900 | |
| CT abdomen | Approx. 10,000–25,000 | 6,900 | |
| CT angiography | — | Higher than standard CT | 8,000 |
| MRI (one region) | ~15,000 at KNH (reported) | Approx. 18,000–32,000 | 11,000 |
| Mammography | — | From ~2,500 (AAR, reported) | 3,000 |
SHA tariffs are from the Social Health Authority benefit-tariffs page (Tariffs for Healthcare Services, 2025, as amended). The 2024 launch tariffs listed CT at KSh 9,600; the current schedule shows KSh 6,900. CT ranges come from 2026 Kenyan cost guides. MRI figures come from Kenyan press reports (Daily Nation, Citizen Digital).
How SHA / SHIF Coverage Works for Imaging
Primary Healthcare Fund (PHF)
- Covers basic radiology (X-ray and ultrasound) as part of outpatient care
- Applies at Level 2, Level 3 and selected Level 4 facilities
- Funded at KSh 900 per person per year (capitation to facilities)
- You are mapped to a Primary Care Network at registration and can use any facility in it
SHIF imaging package
- MRI KSh 11,000; CT KSh 6,900; CT angiography KSh 8,000
- Fluoroscopy KSh 4,000; mammography KSh 3,000; Doppler KSh 5,000
- Up to 2 of each service per household per year
- Available at any accredited facility with the equipment
- Imaging linked to surgery is bundled into the surgical package
Contributions
- Salaried: 2.75% of gross monthly salary, no upper cap
- Minimum: KSh 300 per month
- Non-salaried: 2.75% of household income assessed by means testing
- Contributions must be up to date for benefits to apply
- Register and check status at sha.go.ke
Watch for top-ups: SHA pays a fixed tariff. Private hospitals whose cash price is higher, especially for CT and MRI, may bill you the difference. Kenyan media have reported private hospitals asking SHA members to pay cash. Ask the facility in advance whether they accept SHA for your specific scan and what you will owe on top.
Where to Get an X-Ray in Kenya
🏥 Public — Nairobi
- Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH): national referral hospital with full radiology (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound). Among the lowest prices, but often busy.
- Mbagathi County Hospital: Nairobi County hospital off Mbagathi Way. Expect public-hospital pricing (roughly KSh 500–2,000 for a plain X-ray) and confirm at the cash office.
- Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital (Nairobi County) for eastern Nairobi
🏥 Public — Regional
- Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga TRH, Kisumu
- Coast General Teaching & Referral, Mombasa
- Nakuru, Thika, Murang'a, Meru Level 5 county hospitals
- Press reports put county Level 5 X-rays at roughly KSh 500–1,000
⭐ Private
- Aga Khan University Hospital: premium, JCI-accredited, with outreach clinics countrywide
- Nairobi Hospital: premium, Upper Hill, with satellite outpatient centres
- MP Shah Hospital: X-ray, 3T MRI, CT, ultrasound, mammography
- Karen Hospital: 3T MRI, 128-slice CT, digital X-ray
- AAR Hospital, Gertrude's (children), Mater
- Lancet Kenya is mainly a laboratory chain, so check whether your branch offers imaging
Guide by Patient Type
🇰🇪 SHA-registered residents
- Start at a Level 2–4 facility in your primary care network for basic X-ray/ultrasound
- For CT/MRI, get a referral and confirm the facility is SHA-contracted
- Remember the 2-scans-per-household-per-year cap on each imaging type
- Ask about top-up charges before the scan
💵 Paying cash
- County hospitals are cheapest. Mid-tier private clinics are the best value for speed
- Premium hospitals cost 2–5× more for the same plain film
- M-Pesa is accepted almost everywhere
- Ask whether the radiologist's report is included in the price
✈️ Visitors & expats
- Self-pay at private hospitals is the simplest route
- Aga Khan and Nairobi Hospital handle most international insurers
- Keep the invoice and report for your insurer
- Emergency care is available at any facility
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- National ID or passport
- SHA number (ID number) and up-to-date contributions
- Doctor's request form
- Previous films or CDs for comparison
- Cash, M-Pesa or card for private facilities
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Public X-ray: same day to a few days
- Public CT/MRI: can be weeks
- Private walk-in X-ray: usually same day
- Report: same day to 48 hours
💡 How to save money
- Use your SHA primary care network for basic imaging
- Compare 2–3 quotes for CT/MRI. Spreads of over KSh 10,000 are common
- Consider county Level 5 hospitals outside central Nairobi
- Ask whether one view is enough before paying for several
- Keep digital copies to avoid repeat scans
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an X-ray cost in Kenya?
A basic chest or limb X-ray costs roughly KSh 500–2,000 ($4–15) at public and county hospitals, KSh 1,700–3,000 ($13–23) at mid-tier private clinics, and KSh 3,000–8,000 ($23–62) at premium private hospitals. Multi-view studies such as spine X-rays cost more.
What is the cost of doing an X-ray at Mbagathi Hospital?
Mbagathi County Hospital does not publish an online price list. As a Nairobi County public hospital, its cash prices fall in the public range of roughly KSh 500–2,000 for a plain X-ray. SHA members may be covered depending on the service and their primary care network. Confirm the current fee at the hospital's cash office or radiology desk.
How much is an X-ray at Kenyatta National Hospital?
A basic chest X-ray at KNH is estimated at around KSh 500–1,500. KNH has raised several procedure charges in recent years, so check the current tariff at the hospital. An MRI at KNH has been reported at about KSh 15,000, lower than most private hospitals.
Does SHA cover X-rays in Kenya?
Yes. Basic radiology, including X-rays and ultrasounds, is part of the SHA Primary Healthcare Fund outpatient package at Level 2, Level 3 and selected Level 4 facilities. CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, mammography and Doppler ultrasound fall under the SHIF imaging package, which pays fixed tariffs for up to two of each service per household per year.
How much does a CT scan cost in Kenya, and what does SHA pay?
Self-pay CT scans cost approximately KSh 6,000–15,000 for the head, 8,000–18,000 for the chest and 10,000–25,000 for the abdomen. SHA's current tariff is KSh 6,900 per CT scan and KSh 8,000 for CT angiography, so higher-priced private facilities may charge a top-up.
How much is an MRI scan in Kenya?
Private MRI scans in Kenya are reported at roughly KSh 18,000–32,000 per region. KNH has been reported at about KSh 15,000. SHA pays a tariff of KSh 11,000 per MRI, up to twice per household per year.
How much is an X-ray at Aga Khan or Nairobi Hospital?
Neither hospital publishes a full radiology price list online. Premium Nairobi private hospitals typically charge around KSh 3,000–8,000 for a basic chest X-ray, and more for multi-view or spine studies. Call the radiology department for a quote and ask whether the radiologist's report is included.
What replaced NHIF in Kenya?
The Social Health Authority (SHA) replaced NHIF on 1 October 2024. SHA manages the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund. Former NHIF members were migrated to SHA.
How much does SHA cost per month?
Salaried employees pay 2.75% of gross monthly salary with no cap. Non-salaried households pay 2.75% of household income as assessed through means testing. The minimum contribution is KSh 300 per month.
How do X-ray prices in Kenya compare internationally?
Kenya is one of the cheaper countries in our database. Even a premium Nairobi chest X-ray (about $23–62) costs far less than typical self-pay prices in Western Europe or the US, while public hospital X-rays cost just a few dollars.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- Social Health Authority (sha.go.ke): Benefit Tariffs (PHF, SHIF Medical Imaging Package) and Premium Rates pages
- Tariffs for Healthcare Services, 2025, under the Social Health Insurance Act, as amended by Legal Notice No. 78 of 2026 (reported by Capital FM, May 2026)
- Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital: SHA information package for staff (PHC basic imaging scope)
- Achi Systems Kenya directory: "How much is an X-ray in Kenya?" (March 2026) and "How much is a CT scan in Kenya?" (April 2026)
- Daily Nation: reporting on Kenyatta National Hospital MRI pricing and charge reviews
- Citizen Digital: reporting on private MRI prices in Kenya
- The Standard: reporting on county Level 5 hospital radiology charges and AAR mammography pricing
- Hospital radiology service pages: MP Shah Hospital, Karen Hospital, AAR Healthcare, Gertrude's Children's Hospital
Last reviewed: October 2026. Kenyan prices and SHA tariffs change often. Figures marked "approx." are estimates. Always confirm with the facility and your SHA account before booking.