Machakos County has 303 facilities on the Social Health Authority (SHA) contracted list, including three Level 5 hospitals and 19 at Level 4, according to Business Radar, which retrieved SHA’s contracted list on October 17, 2026, two days after SHA extended existing provider contracts to December 31. The largest are Machakos County Referral Hospital, Universal Family Health Services and The Fork Hospital Kenya.
- Machakos County SHA facilities at a glance
- SHA contracting period: what the list reflects
- Level 5 hospitals in Machakos County
- Selected Level 4 hospitals in Machakos Town
- Athi River, Syokimau and Mavoko hospitals
- Public sub-county hospitals
- How SHA access works at these hospitals
- How to confirm a hospital accepts SHA before you go
- Frequently asked questions
- Which hospitals in Machakos accept SHA?
- Does Machakos Level 5 Hospital accept SHA?
- Which Level 5 hospitals in Machakos County are on SHA?
- Which SHA hospitals are in Athi River and Syokimau?
- Do I need a referral to use SHA at a Level 4 or 5 hospital?
- Does SHA cover emergencies?
- How do I check my SHA status?
- Will my hospital still accept SHA in 2027?
- Sources
This guide lists the biggest SHA-contracted hospitals in Machakos Town, Athi River, Syokimau and the sub-counties, explains how SHA access works and shows how to confirm that a hospital is still contracted before you go.
Machakos County SHA facilities at a glance
Business Radar’s level-by-level count of the list totals 303 facilities. About two thirds are Level 2 dispensaries and clinics.
| Level | Contracted facilities |
|---|---|
| Level 5 hospitals | 3 |
| Level 4 hospitals | 19 |
| Level 3 health centres | 80 |
| Level 2 dispensaries and clinics | 201 |
The list shows no Level 6 hospital in the county, so patients who need national referral care may be sent outside the county, including to Nairobi.
SHA contracting period: what the list reflects
SHA is moving providers to a new 2026 to 2029 contracting cycle called HAKIKA, with a new electronic contracting platform.
On October 5, the Ministry of Health said existing contracts would not be extended beyond October 14, 2026. In a notice dated October 15, SHA chief executive Mercy Mwangangi reversed that, saying the transition period had been extended to December 31, 2026. Existing contracts stay in force until then, valid claims lodged in the period will be honoured, and the new cycle begins on January 1, 2027.
Business Radar retrieved the list on October 17, two days after that notice, so it reflects a period when contracts from SHA’s first 2024 to 2026 cycle were still in force under the extension.
Providers must have new contracts signed and effective by December 31, 2026. A hospital shown here could therefore look different in the new year if it has not completed the process. SHA and the Digital Health Agency have separately moved the deadline for facilities to switch from the SHA provider portal to approved health management information systems to November 30, 2026.
Level 5 hospitals in Machakos County
| Hospital | Type | Location | Beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machakos County Referral Hospital (Machakos Level 5) | Public | Machakos Town, along Machakos-Wote Road | 500 |
| Universal Family Health Services (UFHS) | Private | Machakos Town | 100 |
| The Fork Hospital Kenya | Private | Athi River | 73 |
Machakos County Referral Hospital is the county’s main public referral facility. The county’s health department lists its contact line as 0800 600 016 and its email as health@machakos.go.ke.
The Fork Hospital Kenya is described in hospital directory Hosi as a private Level 5 hospital specialising in orthopaedics, trauma and spine surgery. The Kenya Times also names it and UFHS as the private Level 5 facilities in SHA’s approved listing.
Selected Level 4 hospitals in Machakos Town
| Hospital | Type | Beds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shalom Hospital | Private | 250 | Next to Machakos Level 5 Hospital. Phone 044 21883 on CIC’s provider panel |
| Bishop U. J. Kioko Catholic Hospital | Faith-based | 125 | Konza Road. Phones 0113 858 389 and 0721 179 359 in public listings |
| German Medical Centre Machakos | Private | 100 | |
| Bristol Park Hospital | Private | 70 | |
| Plaza Specialist Hospital | Private | 66 | ABC Imani Plaza II. Phone 0115 978 806 on CIC’s provider panel |
| Machakos Doctors Plaza | Private | Not stated | Next to Machakos Level 5 Hospital, with a Matuu branch, per CIC’s provider panel. Level 4 on the TSC SHA list |
| Bloom Healthcare Machakos | Private | Not stated | Level 4 on the TSC SHA list |
These are selected hospitals, not the full list. Business Radar counts 19 Level 4 hospitals in the county on SHA’s list, and the TSC list shows further private Level 4 facilities. Beds are shown only where Business Radar gives them. Check SHA for the complete current list.
Athi River, Syokimau and Mavoko hospitals
In Mavoko, the contracted Level 4 hospitals include The Veteran Mission Hospitals (150 beds), Katani Hospital (136 beds), Sanel Hospital and RFH Healthcare Syokimau. Athi River Shalom Community Hospital serves Athi River.
SHA lists Athi River separately from Mavoko, so residents of Syokimau, Mlolongo and Athi River should check both when searching for a facility.
Public sub-county hospitals
Beyond the referral hospital, four county-run Level 4 hospitals are on the list:
- Kathiani Sub-County Hospital, 148 beds
- Kangundo Sub-County Hospital, 100 beds
- Matuu Sub-County Hospital in Yatta, 68 beds
- Mwala Sub-County Hospital, 31 beds
Private Level 4 options elsewhere include The Matuu Hospital in Yatta, Ultra Kathiani Hospital in Kathiani and Reliable Healthcare Services in Masinga, which is the only Level 4 hospital on the list in that sub-county.
How SHA access works at these hospitals
SHA pays for care through three funds. Under the Social Health Insurance Regulations, facility-based primary healthcare paid for by the Primary Healthcare Fund is accessed through contracted Level 2 and Level 3 facilities, or a Level 4 primary healthcare referral facility that SHA designates. It does not extend to every contracted Level 4 hospital, private or faith-based.
The Social Health Insurance Fund pays for eligible services at contracted Level 4, 5 and 6 facilities, on referral from primary facilities. Members must be up to date on contributions to use it. In practice, outpatient care at Level 4, 5 and 6 hospitals has been harder to access without a referral, according to the Standard and the Nation.
SHA has invited selected contracted Level 4 hospitals to offer primary healthcare outpatient services. Ask a hospital whether it has been designated before assuming that it can.
How to confirm a hospital accepts SHA before you go
Private hospital contracts change, and the 2027 contracting cycle begins on January 1, so a hospital that accepted SHA earlier may not later. Before a planned visit:
- Check your own status by dialling *147# or through the SHA eligibility portal.
- Check the hospital against the contracted facilities list on the SHA website, filtering by county and name.
- Call SHA on 147 or 0800 720 601 and ask the agent to confirm the facility’s current contract status.
SHA’s helpline runs around the clock, and 0800 720 601 is the alternative number when the 147 line has problems. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital first and sort out cover afterwards.
Read also:Level 5 and Level 6 Hospitals in Kenya: Full List
Frequently asked questions
Which hospitals in Machakos accept SHA?
Business Radar, which retrieved SHA’s contracted list on October 17, 2026, counts 303 contracted facilities in the county. They include Machakos County Referral Hospital, Shalom Hospital and Bishop U. J. Kioko Catholic Hospital. The list reflects contracts in force during the transition to the 2026 to 2029 cycle, so confirm any specific hospital with SHA before visiting.
Does Machakos Level 5 Hospital accept SHA?
Yes. Machakos County Referral Hospital is a Level 5 county government hospital on the contracted list, with 500 beds.
Which Level 5 hospitals in Machakos County are on SHA?
Machakos County Referral Hospital, Universal Family Health Services in Machakos Town and The Fork Hospital Kenya in Athi River.
Which SHA hospitals are in Athi River and Syokimau?
The Fork Hospital Kenya, The Veteran Mission Hospitals, Katani Hospital, Sanel Hospital, RFH Healthcare Syokimau and Athi River Shalom Community Hospital are on the list.
Do I need a referral to use SHA at a Level 4 or 5 hospital?
The regulations provide for the Social Health Insurance Fund to buy services at Level 4, 5 and 6 facilities on referral from primary facilities. Reports say hospitals have often asked for a referral for outpatient care too. Ask the hospital and SHA before you go.
Does SHA cover emergencies?
The Social Health Insurance Regulations entitle every person to access emergency treatment in accordance with the benefits package. SHA may pay a licensed and certified facility that provides emergency treatment, but what is covered and how much is paid depend on the package and its tariffs. Go to the nearest facility in an emergency and confirm cover with SHA afterwards.
How do I check my SHA status?
Dial *147# or use the SHA eligibility portal. Contributions must be up to date for most services at Level 4 and above.
Will my hospital still accept SHA in 2027?
Only if it completes the new 2026 to 2029 contract. Existing contracts remain in force until December 31, 2026, and the new cycle begins on January 1, 2027. Private hospitals contract individually and their status can change, so verify before each visit.
This article is general information and not medical or insurance advice. Hospital contracts, services and phone numbers change, and a listing here does not guarantee that a facility will accept SHA on the day. Confirm with SHA and the hospital, and in an emergency go to the nearest hospital.
Sources
- SHA Accredited Hospitals in Machakos: 303 Contracted Facilities by Sub-County, Business Radar (SHA list retrieved October 17, 2026)
- Social Health Authority
- Machakos SHA-Approved Health Care Facilities and Clinics, The Kenya Times
- Machakos County SHA TSC healthcare facilities (December 2025 list), Education News Hub
- List of licensed health care facilities, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, hosted by SHA
- Health Services, Machakos County Government
- Hospitals in Machakos, Hosi
- Corporate provider panel 2026, CIC Insurance Group
- Doctors and clinics in Machakos, BusinessList Kenya
- The Social Health Insurance Regulations, Legal Notice 49 of 2024, Kenya Law
- SHA gives hospitals until year-end to secure new contracts, The Star
- SHA extends hospital contracting deadline again amid portal complaints, Business Daily
- SHA extends healthcare provider contracts deadline to December 31, 2026, People Daily
- Duale and governors set 14 October deadline for SHA facility contracts, Ministry of Health
- SHA extends system transition deadline, The Kenya Times
- Why outpatient care in public hospitals is now out of reach, Nation
- Outpatient pain: Kenyans still pay cash despite new health scheme, The Standard
- Acting SHA CEO gives directive to Level 4 hospitals, People Daily
- SHA sets up 24-hour call centre, Capital FM
- SHA experiencing glitches on its toll-free line, K24 Digital