Before we review the top 10 best rehabilitation centers in Kenya, let’s highlight the key facts about addiction.
Alcohol and drug addiction is a major health concern in Kenya and one of the leading causes of deaths in 2025. Unfortunately, the disease of addiction is heavily misunderstood and highly stigmatised. The stigma is because most people don’t know much about the disease, so they see addiction as a choice and moral failing.
In most cases, addiction is a symptom of underlying mental health problems. This means that most people struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction didn’t choose the lifestyle of substance abuse. The pain from underlying mental health challenges pushed them to abuse substances in an attempt to cope.
Some people find themselves abusing substances when trying to cope with the emotional distress of depression and anxiety. Others grew up in family environments that didn’t foster self-confidence, so they have chronic low self-esteem and end up abusing alcohol and drugs to boost self-esteem.
Moreover, others find themselves abusing substances in an attempt to deal with chronic feelings of loneliness. These people went through a tough childhood that didn’t equip them with tools to build healthy relationships with other people. Others use in an attempt to escape deeply-rooted feelings of inadequacy and self-hate.
Therefore, people struggling with addiction should be helped with love and compassion and without being judged and blamed. Unfortunately, not all rehabilitation centers in Kenya provide the level of care and love required in addiction treatment.
This post reviews top-rated rehabs in Kenya. We will also discusses the five key things to consider when looking for the best rehabilitation centers in Nairobi Kenya.
List of Rehabilitation Centers in Kenya with the Best Google reviews
Finding the best rehabilitation center in Kenya is not easy given the many questionable options out there. We have done the research for our readers and identified the top 10 best rehabilitation centers
- Primrose Rehab and Wellness – Overall best rehab in Kenya
- Nairobi Place Rehab Center – Best for short term stays
- The Retreat – Best rehab for insurance payers
- Asumbi Treatment Center – One of the Oldest Rehabs in Kenya
- Teens Challenge – Faith-based rehab offering spiritual intervention only
- Life Bridge Rehabilitation Center – Popular hospital-based rehab
- Serene Hospital and Rehab – High quality residential treatment centre
- The Optimum Center for Specialised Care – Top-rated for its quality program
- Smartlife Rehab and Wellness Center – One of the most affordable rehabs in Kenya
- Chiromo Lane Treatment Center – Best for management of psychiatric cases
Primrose Rehab and Wellness – Overall best rehab in Kenya
Primrose Rehab and Wellness tops our list of the best rehabilitation centers in Nairobi, Kenya. The center was founded in 2018 and has risen quite rapidly over the years to join the list of the most popular rehabs in Kenya.
Their program takes a minimum of 90 days and involves psychiatric and medical assessments, detox, counselling, and management of underlying conditions. Primrose Rehab and Wellness is registered as a nursing home (Level 3A) and is licensed by Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC) and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Drugs (NACADA).
The rehab center is hailed for its comprehensive trauma-informed care. Moreover, its multidisciplinary team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, addiction counsellors, and peer supporters.
Amazingly, most of its Google reviewers praise it for its comprehensive program and friendly care. The owners are part of the clinical management team and this makes it easy for patients to get information. Primrose Rehab and Wellness is based in Thindigua, along Kiambu road, about 7km from Nairobi Central Business District.
This center is also among the rehabs in Kenya that accept payments through the Social Health Authority (SHA). Learn about their charges here and find their Google reviews through the link shared below. Also find their Google Maps below.
Nairobi Place – Best for short term stays
Nairobi Place rehab center is the best choice for patients looking for shorter stays. They provide a 6 weeks inpatient program, followed by a 2 weeks intensive outpatient program, and up to 3 months of aftercare.
Their program is generally recommended for patients who are in a bit of control and prefer short term stays. Nairobi Place provides both medical/psychiatric and psychological support.
An analysis of their Google Maps show that most people are happy with its location and serene environment. Nairobi Place is located in Mokoyeti Road in Karen, Nairobi Kenya.
The Retreat – Wide range of insurance coverage
The Retreat is a premier rehabilitation centre owned by the renowned Psychiatrist, Dr Frank Njenga. The retreat rehabilitation has two centers, one in Limuru, Mungai Close, St. Julians Rd, Ngecha Baraka Drive, and the other in Ngong, Kajiado County.
Amazingly, this rehab provides a comprehensive program that takes a biopsychosocial approach. Their treatment program includes psychiatric care, psychological counselling, family therapy, and community integration. Furthermore, they provide nutritional care and spiritual intervention.
The Retreat is a good option for insurance payers since they accept most of the providers. Unfortunately, their charges are unaffordable for most cash payers.
Asumbi Treatment Center– Oldest rehab center in Kenya
Founded in 1988, Asumbi is one of the oldest rehabilitation centers in Kenya. The center was founded in the Archdiocese of Kisumu and is owned and managed by the Roman Catholic Church.
Asumbi has treatment centers in Homabay, Karen, and Runda. The centers in Karen and Runda are top-rated, with most reporting satisfaction with its serene environment, comprehensive program, and knowledgeable and friendly staff.
On its website, Asumbi claims that its program includes individual and family therapy. We couldn’t verify whether they provide medical/psychiatric interventions.
Teens Challenge – Faith-based rehab offering 1 year program
Teens challenge is a faith-based rehab based on Mushroom Road, along Kiambu road. The center is among the rehabilitation centers in Nairobi Kenya that provides a long term treatment program. The minimum stay at Teens Challenge is one year.
Moreover, they only provide faith-based interventions where clients receive spiritual nourishment. Unfortunately, Teens Challenge doesn’t provide any form of medical/psychiatric interventions but refer patients to other institutions.
While spiritual intervention alone may work for some patients, it’s not suitable for most. Many people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction require medical/psychiatric and psychological interventions first before receiving any other form of interventions.
Teens Challenge is among the cheap rehabilitation centers in Kenya since they charge as little as ksh30, 000 per month. However, all clients are required to complete the 1 year program.
Serene Hospital and Rehab – Top-rated for its serene environment
Serene Hospital and Rehab is another popular hospital-based rehabilitation center in Kenya. The center is based in Nairobi on Kisembe road in Karen area. Furthermore, it’s registered as a level 3A hospital.
Serene Rehab provides inpatient and outpatient treatment for all substance use disorders. Moreover, they provide psychiatric care for people with mental conditions. The services listed on their website include psychiatric care, detox, individual therapy, group therapy, life skills training, and aftercare.
Serene Rehab has an overall rating of 4.8/5 after 30 reviews. Most reviewers rate it highly for its serene environment, quality program, and friendly staff.
Life Bridge Rehabilitation Center – Hospital-based Rehab best for psychiatric cases
Life Bride is another well-known rehab center in Kenya that provides holistic inpatient and outpatient treatment. It’s located in Northern Bypass, Mirema road, near Garden Estate.
Life Bridge has over 100 reviews on Google, with users rating it highly in key areas such as treatment program quality.
The program includes medical and psychiatric care, detox, EEG, counselling, psychoeducation, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), and Art Therapy. Life Bridge is moderately priced compared to other rehab centers in Kenya.
We’ve found many complaints about Life Bridge’s unfriendly staff, so be on the lookout for any form of mistreatment.
The Optimum Center for Specialised Treatment – High quality residential care
The Optimum Center for Specialised Treatment is a popular Kenya rehabilitation center located in Karen, Hekima Road, off Fair Access Road. The center appears in the list of rehabilitation centers in Kenya providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient treatment.
On its website, the center claims that it provides detox, residential treatment, family support program, dual diagnosis treatment, and aftercare. An in-depth analysis of its reviews on Google reveals that that clients are happy with its serene environment and personalised treatment plan.
Smartlife Rehab Center – Top-rated for its affordability
Smartlife Rehab Center is a fairly new rehabilitation center located in Ruiru Kimbo, along Thika superhighway. The center has amazing Google reviews, with many praising it for its affordable inpatient program. Smartlife Rehab Center provides a 90 days inpatient program.
Their website states that they provide individual counselling, family therapy, spiritual intervention, and aftercare. We couldn’t verify whether they provide in-house medical detox.
Chiromo Lane Treatment Center – Best in psychiatric care
Chiromo Lane Treatment Center is a premier rehab center and psychiatric hospital based in Muthangari Drive, Nairobi. The center was founded in 1996 and is owned by the veteran Kenyan psychiatrist – Dr Frank Njenga.
Chiromo Lane is top-rated for its intensive programs and quality care. Moreover, its location and amenities make it a top choice for well-off clients.
Finding the best rehab centers in Nairobi Kenya
It’s a big hustle for most people to evaluate and identify a good rehab center in Kenya given the many options out there. Also, there is a very bad vibe about rehabs given the many cases of mistreatment for people struggling with mental health problems.
This explains why it’s extremely important to conduct enough due diligence when looking for a treatment center for yourself or your loved one. Here are the five key things to consider when searching for the best rehabs in Kenya.
Licensing, staff qualifications, location and security
All Kenya rehabilitation centers are licensed by the National Authority for the Campaign against Drugs (NACADA) and the county public health authorities. A few are also registered as nursing homes and hospitals and are, therefore, licensed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council (KMPDC).
The rehabilitation centers licensed by the KMPDC offer more comprehensive treatment programs that include a combination of medical, behavioural, and psychological interventions.
Most of the rehabs only licensed by NACADA and public health only focus on behavioural interventions. Always ask about licensing when staff credentials when shopping around for the best rehabilitation centers in Nairobi Kenya.
It’s also important to check the security measures implemented by the treatment facility. The best rehabs in Kenya are located in a serene environment and have a perimeter wall with electric fence.
Moreover, they have full time guards and are very strict on visits. All people visiting the centre are searched thoroughly before they are allowed to interact with the clients.
Program Quality and Community Culture
A good rehab center should have a multidisciplinary team that includes consulting psychiatric doctors and clinicians, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, and specialist addiction counsellors.
All clients admitted at the rehab must be reviewed by a psychiatrist doctor and receive help for the underlying medical issues. The best rehabilitation centers in Kenya operate in collaboration with other specialised institutions, including hospitals with emergency care for complicated cases.
A good rehab center must also do at least 3 baseline lab investigations, mostly the LFTs for the liver, the UECs for the kidneys, and full blood count. Other lab tests can be done based on the doctor’s recommendation.
The quality of counselling is also paramount, so inquire about the credentials of the available therapists. Rehabilitation centers such as Primrose Rehab and Wellness have a reputation of providing intensive and evidence-based therapies, with a strong focus on childhood trauma.
Learn more about the components of a good SUD rehabilitation program here.
Charges and payment terms
It’s also important that you ask about the charges and the payment terms. The rehab must be ready to explain all the charges. Moreover, they should provide a guarantee that there will be no surprise costs.
A typical rehab fee invoice includes;
Psychiatric and medical review charges
Lab test charges
Counselling and nursing care charges
Accommodation
The best rehabilitation centers in Kenya typically charge between ksh50000 to ksh90000 per month. Rehabs that charge very low prices and do not have any form of donor sponsorship are likely to compromise on service quality.
Instead of searching for cheap rehabilitation centers in Kenya, look for the affordable ones. Addiction treatment is not punishment, so look for treatment centers that provide the comfort needed for recovery.
Diet, exercise and entertainment
Every client has a right to be treated with dignity and stay in a clean, safe, and peaceful environment. They should also eat a balance diet, bask in the sun and have enough space for physical exercise.
Moreover, they should access entertainment services within the premises. The rehab should be ready to provide a meals timetable.
Aftercare and Community Integration
To avoid relapse, patients should be encouraged to do an overhaul of their lives. In most cases, they need to change most of their friends, create new interests, and where possible change their environment. A good rehab program should help the patient identify activities that they can engage in to replace addiction.
For instance they can develop interests in activities such as weight lifting, swimming, football, mountain climbing, singing, playing instruments, reading and drawing. They should identify communities around their interests and join them.
The best rehabilitation centers in Kenya also link their patients to the Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) support groups. Top rehabs such as Primrose Rehab and Wellness also link patients to faith-based groups such as The Journey to Freedom for Christians and Dawah for Muslims.
Aftercare also involves psychological/psychiatric reviews every month. Some rehabilitation centers in Kenya also provide home visits to willing patients.
Cheap rehabilitation centers in Kenya – Final Word!
In this post, we’ve presented a list of rehabilitation centers in Kenya with the best reviews on Google. Moreover, we’ve done a snapshot review of each treatment center, highlighting its core strengths and weaknesses. Each of the rehabs in Kenya reviewed in this post provides quality client care and serene environment for recovery.
Additionally, nearly all the rehabilitation centers reviewed in this publication provide a comprehensive treatment package. Their packages include psychiatric/medical management, individual and family counselling, psychoeducation, spiritual intervention, and aftercare programs.
This post has also discussed the 5 key things that you should consider when searching a rehab for your loved one. Please chat with me via the provided WhatsApp button if you’ve any question related to addiction treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do rehabs in Kenya charge?
The best rehabs in Kenya charge between ksh150, 000 and ksh50, 000 for a 3 months inpatient program. Most of these rehabs allow clients to pay in flexible instalments provided the total amount is paid by the end of the program. Always ask for a cost breakdown when asking for a quotation from a rehab center.
Does SHA pay for rehabilitation?
Some of the best rehabilitation centers in Kenya support the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance cover. Unfortunately, SHA only pays ksh67, 000, so you will need to top up the extra amount. A private insurance providers also have a cover for rehabilitation substances.