What the 2024 law changed
The County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Act, 2024 came into force on 28 December 2024. It sets the same basic rules for business licensing in all 47 counties:
- One application. Counties must run a single application process, and you can apply for several licences at once.
- 28-day decision. If the county does not decide within 28 days, the application is deemed approved (section 13). Time spent waiting for documents the county asked for is not counted.
- One-year validity. A licence for a business that runs a year or more is valid for one year from the date of issue (section 17).
- Online by December 2027. Counties have three years from commencement to put online licensing in place.
The Act sets procedures, not prices. Each county still sets its own fees in its Finance Act.
Nairobi permit fees, 2026
From the Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026, assented on 31 July 2026. Annual fees:
| Business | Size | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kiosk, light or temporary structure | Under 5 sq.m | KES 4,000 |
| Hawker, no motor vehicle | Not applicable | KES 5,000 |
| Mini shop | 1 employee, under 25 sq.m | KES 5,000 |
| Small shop | 2 to 3 employees, 26 to 50 sq.m | KES 10,000 |
| Medium shop | 4 to 5 employees, 50 to 300 sq.m | KES 15,000 |
| Large shop | Over 5 employees, over 300 sq.m | KES 25,000 |
| Small eating house, no alcohol | Up to 5 seats | KES 15,000 |
| Small restaurant with bar | 11 to 30 seats | KES 30,000 |
| Small bar | Up to 15 seats | KES 15,000 |
| Professional office, 1 person | 1 employee | KES 10,000 |
| Small professional firm | 2 to 5 employees | KES 20,000 |
Fire safety, health and advertising are charged under their own schedules, so your invoice may carry more than the permit line. The 2026 Act also makes health, hygiene and safety compliance a condition for getting a licence. More Nairobi charges are in Nairobi County fees under the Finance Act 2026.
How to apply and pay
- Open your county's portal (table below) and register.
- Choose the business permit service, fill in the business activity, size and location, and submit.
- The system generates an invoice with a bill number.
- Pay by one of the methods the portal lists for that invoice, using the bill number as the reference.
- Download the permit once the payment reflects.
| County | Where to apply and pay |
|---|---|
| Nairobi | nairobiservices.go.ke (NairobiPay) |
| Mombasa | eportal.mombasa.go.ke |
| Nakuru | nakurupay.com |
| Kisumu | eservices.kisumu.go.ke |
| Kiambu | See Kiambu business permit |
Renewing and paying in instalments
A permit runs for twelve months from the date it is issued. In Nairobi, the Trade Licensing Act 2019 lets you pay the fee annually, half yearly or quarterly. Running a business without renewing is an offence, with a fine of up to KES 50,000 or three months in jail.
Related
- How to register an M-PESA till
- Music licence fees for businesses
- County cess rates
- Turnover tax calculator
Sources
- County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Act, 2024, Kenya Law, read 29 October 2026
- Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2026, Nairobi City County Assembly
- Nairobi City County Trade Licensing Act, 2019
- County portals for Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu, checked 29 October 2026