As Kenya's population ages and more families face the reality of caring for elderly or chronically ill relatives, nursing homes in Kenya have become an increasingly important part of the healthcare landscape. Whether you're searching for a facility offering full-time skilled nursing, assisted living for a semi-independent parent, dementia-specific care, or hospice and palliative support, Kenya now has a growing (if still relatively small) network of institutions to choose from. This guide brings together the most established nursing and elderly care homes in Kenya, organized by region and type of care, to help families make an informed decision.
What "Nursing Home" Means in the Kenyan Context
In Kenya, the term "nursing home" is used loosely to describe several different types of facilities:
- Residential care/retirement homes — long-term living arrangements for seniors who need daily support but not intensive medical care
- Skilled nursing facilities — homes with on-site registered nurses providing medication management, wound care, and monitoring for chronic conditions
- Dementia and memory care homes — specialized facilities for residents with Alzheimer's, dementia, or Parkinson's
- Hospice and palliative care homes — facilities or home-based services supporting terminally ill patients and their families
- Homecare nursing agencies — not residential facilities, but agencies that place nurses and caregivers directly into a patient's own home
Most Kenyan nursing homes are concentrated in and around Nairobi, though a small number of facilities now operate in Kisumu, Mombasa, and other regional towns.
Nairobi and Surrounding Areas
Rosewood Retirement Home (Rosewood Manor)
Located in Karen, between Galleria Mall and Karen Shopping Centre, Rosewood is one of the most established senior care facilities in Nairobi. It offers both assisted living and skilled nursing care across two home-style residences and several detached cottages, with en-suite rooms and a dedicated memory care program for residents with Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's. Location: Kuwinda Road, Karen, Nairobi
SJ Remedial Homes
A pioneering private elder care institution offering individualized nursing care and assisted living for seniors who need daily help with mobility, medication, or chronic condition management. Location: Lower Kabete, Nairobi
Thogoto Home for the Aged
A facility dedicated to housing and supporting elderly people who have been abandoned by relatives or have no family support structure, offering a stable, dignified living environment. Location: Kikuyu, Kiambu County
Chesire Home for the Elderly
A Christian-based facility run by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa, focused on caring for frail, destitute, and vulnerable elderly residents in a supportive, faith-driven environment. Location: Kariobangi, Nairobi
Fairseat Foundation
Designed for seniors who retain a degree of independence but still need occasional nursing support. Residents keep private living spaces while limited nursing care and emergency assistance remain available on-site. Location: Lone Tree Estate, Rosslyn, near Village Market, Nairobi
Nyumba Ya Wazee
Founded in 1985 and run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, this long-standing home provides care for elderly residents, many without family support, in a compassionate community setting. Location: Thika Road, opposite Kasarani Sports Complex, Nairobi
Harrison House Retirement Home
A retirement home offering residential accommodation with an in-house team of nurses for prompt medical attention, along with organized social activities for residents. Location: 3rd Ngong Avenue / Kilimani, Nairobi
Sir James Care Homes
A facility focused specifically on dementia care, offering long-term residential support, an adopt-a-caregiver program, and individualized care plans developed and managed by registered nurses. Location: Nairobi
Morana
A residential care home offering 24-hour support for elderly residents, as well as patients recovering from stroke, living with dementia or Parkinson's, or requiring palliative care. Services include physiotherapy, cognitive stimulation activities, and qualified nursing staff. Location: Karen, Nairobi
Arama
A senior living facility offering a secure, personalized environment where care plans are tailored to each resident's health needs, preferences, and daily routine. Location: Nairobi
Alpine Pristine Homes
A residential elder care facility with round-the-clock medical staff and caregivers, offering transportation to medical appointments and a structured schedule of daily activities for residents. Location: Nairobi
ElimerCare
An elderly care facility offering residential support services for seniors as part of Nairobi's growing network of private care homes. Location: Nairobi
Nursing and Elderly Care Beyond Nairobi
Wellway Medical and Rehabilitation Centre
A facility offering elderly care alongside broader medical rehabilitation services, with a team of nurses, caregivers, and therapists trained specifically in geriatric care. Location: Kisumu
AgeWatch
A community-based elder care initiative offering daycare programs, individualized home-based care, and residential support for elderly residents who are unable to fully care for themselves. Location: Kisumu West Sub-County
Homecare Nursing Agencies (Non-Residential Alternatives)
For families who prefer to keep a loved one at home rather than move them into a residential facility, several licensed homecare nursing providers operate across Kenya:
- Sahara Home Care & Hospice — offers critical care nursing, regular nursing, caregiver services, physiotherapy, speech and occupational therapy, and medical support delivered directly in the patient's home.
- Upendo Homecare — a registered Kenyan homecare company providing trained caregivers and nurses for seniors, people with disabilities, and patients recovering at home.
- At Home Kenya — a homecare provider positioning itself as a bridge between hospital-level medical care and the comfort of a patient's own home.
Homecare nursing has grown rapidly as an alternative to residential placement, particularly for post-surgical recovery, chronic disease management, and short-term palliative needs where families prefer to keep patients at home. For a deeper look at this sector, see our related article, The State of Homecare Nursing Industry in Kenya.
Regulatory Oversight
Nursing homes and home-based healthcare providers operating in Kenya fall under the oversight of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), which maintains a register of licensed health facilities updated annually, and the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK), which licenses individual nurses. Families are strongly encouraged to confirm that any nursing home or homecare agency they are considering is properly licensed and staffed by registered nurses before making a placement decision.
How to Choose the Right Nursing Home in Kenya
Before selecting a facility, families should ask the following questions:
- Is the facility licensed? Confirm registration status with KMPDC and check that on-site nurses are registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya.
- What level of medical care is provided? Some homes offer only basic residential support, while others have full-time skilled nursing and doctor access.
- Is the facility equipped for specific conditions? Dementia, Parkinson's, stroke recovery, and palliative care all require different staff training and equipment.
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Lower ratios generally mean more individualized attention.
- What does the fee structure include? Ask whether meals, medication, transport to appointments, and emergency care are bundled into the monthly cost or billed separately.
- Can you visit before committing? Reputable homes will welcome an in-person tour and allow you to meet caregiving staff directly.
- What do other families say? Where possible, speak to current residents' families about their experience with staff responsiveness and care quality.
Kenya's nursing home sector remains small relative to the country's aging population, but it has grown steadily over the past decade, with facilities across Nairobi, Kisumu, and other regions now offering everything from basic residential support to specialized dementia and palliative care. Whether you're considering a residential nursing home or a homecare nursing agency, the most important step is verifying licensing, staffing qualifications, and the specific level of medical care a facility or provider can offer before making a decision for your loved one.
Contact details, admission requirements, and pricing for facilities listed above change periodically — always confirm directly with the institution before visiting or relocating a family member.
