Why there is a new Act
In July 2025 the High Court quashed Nairobi's Finance Act 2023 because the county had not adopted a tariffs and pricing policy before raising fees, and ordered 2022 rates to apply until a new Act was passed (The Star). The county then adopted a Tariffs and Pricing Policy in 2025 and passed the Finance Act 2026 on top of it. The Act is listed on the County Assembly's Acts page.
Health: food handler's certificate
Anyone who handles food for sale in Nairobi needs a food handler's medical certificate. The 2026 Act sets the fee at KES 1,000 per certificate. NairobiPay lists the certificate as one of its services. The 2026 Act also makes health, hygiene and safety compliance a condition for getting a business licence.
Noise and event permits
| Permit | Unit | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Club, up to 100 people | Per year | KES 20,000 |
| Club, 101 to 500 people | Per year | KES 50,000 |
| Club, over 500 people | Per year | KES 100,000 |
| Factory | Per year | KES 20,000 |
| Mosque or church | Per year | KES 5,000 |
| Short-term night event | Per event | KES 100,000 |
| Wedding in a residential area | Per event | KES 20,000 |
| Garden wedding | Per event | KES 10,000 |
| Roadshow, saloon car | Per event | KES 10,000 |
Business permits
Annual permits run from KES 4,000 for a kiosk under 5 square metres to KES 15,000 for a medium shop with 4 to 5 employees, with separate bands for restaurants, bars and professional offices. The full table and the 28-day approval rule are in single business permit in Kenya.
How to pay
- Open nairobiservices.go.ke (NairobiPay) and sign in or register.
- Pick the service: business licence, health, food handler certificate, advertising or parking.
- Generate the invoice. It carries a bill number.
- Pay using one of the methods the portal lists, with the bill number as the reference.
Nairobi does not publish a paybill for you to key in for these fees. Parking is paid by prompt through *647# or NairobiPay; see Nairobi parking fees. Land rates are covered in the land rates calculator.
Related
Sources
- Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026, read 29 October 2026
- Nairobi City County Assembly: Acts
- The Star, 2 July 2025: court quashes Nairobi's 2023 Finance Act
- NairobiPay, checked 29 October 2026