Any business or individual operating water sports activities or boat excursions for tourists in Kenya must hold a licence from the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) under the Class C enterprise category. This class covers tour operators, travel agencies, local air charters, tourist service vehicle hire, water sports operators, balloon operators, and boat excursion providers. The […]
Every private primary or secondary school operating in Kenya must be registered by the Ministry of Education through the County Director of Education, in accordance with the Basic Education Act, 2013 and the Ministry’s Registration of Educational Institutions guidelines. Unregistered schools may not legally admit or charge fees from students. Registration is either provisional (one […]
Any institution seeking to operate as a university in Kenya must obtain either a Letter of Interim Authority (LIA) or a full Charter from the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body established under the Universities Act, No. 42 of 2012. Operating a university without a Charter or LIA is a criminal offence. No […]
Every contractor wishing to undertake construction work in Kenya — whether on private or public projects — must register with the National Construction Authority (NCA), established under the NCA Act No. 41 of 2011. Contractors are classified from NCA1 (the highest, covering unlimited-value projects) to NCA8 (the lowest, limited to projects not exceeding KES 10 […]
Companies providing support services to EPZ enterprises from within a gazetted zone — but which are not themselves eligible for or do not require a full EPZ Enterprise Licence — may apply for an EPZ Business Service Permit from the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA). Eligible activities include banking services, insurance, courier services, catering, and […]
Companies engaged in commercial activities within an EPZ — such as wholesale trading, repackaging, re-labelling, and breaking of bulk for export — may be issued an EPZ Commercial Enterprise Licence by the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA). Commercial enterprise licences are appraised in consultation with the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and […]
Companies providing export-oriented services from within a designated Export Processing Zone — including BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), call centres, logistics services, brokerage, ICT, and consultancy — may obtain an EPZ Service Enterprise Licence from the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA). This licence is distinct from the manufacturing enterprise licence and is tailored to companies whose […]
All TVET institutions in Kenya — including national polytechnics, technical and vocational colleges, teacher trainer colleges, and vocational training centres — must be registered, accredited, and licensed by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), established under the TVET Act No. 29 of 2013. Operating a TVET institution without a valid TVETA licence […]
Private Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres in Kenya must be registered with the Ministry of Education through the County Director of Education, in accordance with the Basic Education Act, 2013 and the Ministry’s Basic Standard Requirements for Registration of Educational Institutions. ECDE in Kenya covers children from pre-primary through to age six, encompassing […]
Any firm wishing to offer professional engineering consulting services in Kenya must be registered by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), established under the Engineers Act, 2011. All shareholders of a local consulting firm must be professional engineers, with at least one principal shareholder holding consulting engineer status and the power of attorney. For firms […]
The Standardization Mark (S-Mark) is Kenya’s mandatory product certification scheme for locally manufactured goods, governed by Section 10 of the Standards Act, Cap. 496 of the Laws of Kenya, and administered by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). A permit to use the S-Mark certifies that a specific product, brand, and production site conform to […]
An architectural firm operating in Kenya — whether as a partnership, company, or sole practitioner entity — must obtain a Firm Registration Certificate and an annual practising certificate from the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS). This is a requirement under the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act and the BORAQS Code of […]
Under Section 44 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, any person intending to occupy or use any premises as a workplace in Kenya must first obtain a Workplace Registration Certificate from the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS). This requirement applies to all categories of workplace — offices, workshops, factories, retail […]
The Workplace Registration Certificate and the Workplace Safety Certificate in Kenya are effectively components of the same compliance framework under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, administered by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS). Beyond basic registration, workplaces in Kenya — particularly those with significant occupational hazards — are subject to […]
Any person wishing to practise architecture professionally in Kenya must be registered by the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), established under the Architects and Quantity Surveyors Act, Cap. 525 of the Laws of Kenya. Registration follows a multi-stage process: Graduate Member registration on completing an accredited degree, practical experience under a […]
Any lift (elevator), hoist, or escalator installed in a building or workplace in Kenya must be registered with the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), under the Ministry of Labour, pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. DOSHS maintains records of installation and periodic examination information for all registered lifting equipment. […]
All factories in Kenya — premises in which manufacturing, processing, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, cleaning, washing, or breaking up of articles takes place for commercial purposes by workers — must be registered as workplaces under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, and must additionally comply with any sector-specific regulations that apply to their manufacturing process. […]
Any person or company operating as a tour operator, safari operator, or travel agency in Kenya must hold a Tour Operator’s Licence issued by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). Tour operators fall under Class “C” tourism enterprises under the Tourism Act, 2011. This class also includes tourist service vehicle hire, local air charter operators, travel […]
Hotel Classification in Kenya is the formal process through which accommodation facilities are assessed, categorised, and awarded a star rating (1 to 5 stars) by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). The classification applies to Class “A” and “B” tourism enterprises and is based on the East African Community (EAC) Classification System, which Kenya has adopted. […]
Any person operating a restaurant, café, food court, or food and beverage service outlet in Kenya must hold a Restaurant Licence issued by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). Restaurants are classified under TRA Class “B” enterprises, which cover all food and beverage service providers. The licence is required under the Tourism Act, 2011, and TRA […]
A Homestay Licence is required by homeowners in Kenya who offer overnight accommodation to paying guests within their primary residence. The licence is issued by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) under the Tourism Act, 2011, and is categorised under Class “A” tourism enterprises. Homestays are popular with travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences, and TRA licensing […]
A Villa Licence is required under Kenya’s Tourism Act, 2011, for any detached or semi-detached, fully-furnished private house or holiday home that is rented out to guests or used as a short-stay holiday property. Villas are classified under TRA Class “A” enterprises, alongside hotels, homestays, and other accommodation facilities. The licence is issued by the […]
Any person or entity operating a hotel in Kenya must hold a valid Hotel Licence issued by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). Hotels fall under Class “A” tourism enterprises, which also includes villas, homestays, game lodges, eco-lodges, tented camps, and other accommodation facilities. The licence is issued under the Tourism Act, 2011, and the TRA […]
A Veterinary Health Certificate (also called an Export Health Certificate) is an official document issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) certifying that animals, animal products, or animal by-products being exported from Kenya are free from specified diseases and meet the veterinary health requirements of the importing country. It is required for exports of […]
A Tannery or Banda Registration Certificate is required by any person or entity operating a facility for the processing of hides and skins in Kenya. A tannery or banda is a premises where raw hides and skins are processed into leather or semi-processed leather goods. The certificate is issued by the county Directorate of Veterinary […]
A Dog Licence is required for all dog owners in Kenya under the Rabies Prevention and Control Act and county government by-laws. The licence requires that the dog is vaccinated against rabies annually before a licence is issued. Rabies control is a priority in Kenya given that it is a fatal zoonotic disease, and the […]
A Hides and Skins Dispatch Note must accompany every consignment of hides and skins being moved or sold in Kenya. The dispatch note is issued after inspection of the hides and skins by DVS officers, who check the consignment for quality, origin, and compliance with handling standards. An inspection report is issued together with the […]
A Local Animal Movement Permit is required by any person in Kenya who wishes to move livestock from one location to another — whether from or onto a farm, onto or over a public road, into or from a forest area, or onto government land. The permit is issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services […]
A Stock Brand Registration Certificate is issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) to farmers or livestock owners who wish to have an official brand registered for marking their animals. Branding is used to identify ownership of livestock, particularly cattle, and is an important tool for livestock theft prevention and traceability. The application is […]
Any person or entity that intends to keep or own pigs commercially in Kenya is required to obtain a Pig Producer Licence. The licence is issued by the County Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) and must be renewed annually. It is designed to ensure that pig producers comply with animal health, biosecurity, and welfare standards, […]
A Hatchery Registration Certificate is required by any person or entity that intends to operate a poultry hatchery in Kenya. Hatcheries are regulated by the County Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), and registration involves a multi-step process beginning with site approval from the county government, followed by architectural plan approval, public health clearance, and an […]
A Certificate of Meat Transport is an official veterinary document issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) to accompany meat or meat product consignments moving between counties or across longer distances within Kenya. It is distinct from the routine slaughterhouse-level meat transport permit and is used to certify the veterinary status and fitness of […]
A Meat Transport Permit is required by any person who transports meat or meat products from a slaughterhouse to a retail outlet, butchery, hotel, restaurant, or processing facility in Kenya. The permit is issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Meat Control Act (Cap 356). It certifies that the meat being transported […]
A Slaughterman Licence is required by any individual who carries out the slaughter of animals for commercial purposes in a licensed slaughterhouse in Kenya. The licence is issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Meat Control Act (Cap 356) and the associated Slaughterhouse Regulations. It ensures that persons conducting slaughter operations are […]
Any person or entity intending to operate a slaughterhouse in Kenya must obtain a Slaughterhouse Registration Certificate from the relevant authorities. Local (county) slaughterhouses fall under county government oversight, while export slaughterhouses are regulated by the national Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Meat Control Act (Cap 356). Registration involves site approval, architectural plan […]
Any person intending to export fresh produce — including vegetables, fruits, flowers, and other horticultural products — from Kenya must be registered as an exporter with KEPHIS. The Fresh Produce Export Registration is required under the Plant Protection Act (Cap 324) and is a prerequisite for obtaining phytosanitary certificates. The Horticultural Crops Authority (HCA) under […]
A Seed Import Permit is required before any importation of seed into Kenya, in addition to the Plant Import Permit. Similarly, seeds for export must be accompanied by a Seed Export Permit and Kenya’s phytosanitary certificate. Both permits are issued by KEPHIS under the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (Cap 326). All seed importers and […]
A Seed Dealer’s Licence (also called a Seed Seller’s Licence or Seed Merchant Licence) is required by any person or business intending to trade in seeds in Kenya. The licence is issued by KEPHIS under the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (Cap 326) and Legal Notice No. 220. All persons intending to sell, import, or […]
An Export Certificate — more commonly referred to as a Phytosanitary Certificate for export — is issued by KEPHIS to certify that plant material, seeds, or horticultural products exported from Kenya meet the phytosanitary requirements of the destination country. This document is mandatory for all consignments of plants and plant products leaving Kenya under the […]
A Plant Import Permit (PIP) is required by any person or business intending to bring plants, plant products, seeds, or regulated articles (including soil and biological control agents) into Kenya. The permit is issued by KEPHIS under the Plant Protection Act (Cap 324) and must be obtained before shipment from the country of origin, regardless […]
A Phytosanitary Certificate is an official document issued by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to certify that export consignments of plants, plant products, and fresh produce are free from pests and diseases and meet the plant health requirements of the importing country. It is a mandatory export document under the Plant Protection Act […]
Any person or business that manufactures excisable goods in Kenya — including food and beverage products such as fruit juices, aerated water, mineral water, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, sugar-containing products, and other specified items — must hold a Licence to Manufacture Excisable Goods issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). This licence is required under […]
A Food Hygiene Licence is issued to food business premises by the county government’s public health department (or Port Health Services at international entry points). It is a mandatory requirement for any business that handles, prepares, processes, or sells food to the public — including restaurants, hotels, food kiosks, processing plants, and milk premises. The […]
A Food Hygiene Certificate (also called a Food Handler’s Certificate) is required for all individuals who handle, prepare, or sell food for public consumption in Kenya. It is distinct from the Food Hygiene Licence issued to business premises — the certificate applies to individual food handlers and confirms that the person is medically fit and […]
Any driver who transports tourists in Kenya must hold a valid Tour Driver’s Licence issued after vetting by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). This requirement exists alongside the standard NTSA driving licence and is grounded in the Tourism Act, 2011 and the Tourism Regulatory Authority Regulations, 2014 (Legal Notice No. 128 of 2014). Tour drivers […]
A Milk Movement Permit (also referred to as a Milk Carriage Permit) is required by any person or business that transports raw milk or dairy products in bulk or in containers from one location to another in Kenya. The permit is issued by the Kenya Dairy Board and is required under the Dairy Industry (Registration, […]
A Milk Bar Licence is issued by the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) to retail outlets that sell pasteurised milk and other dairy products to consumers in small quantities. Milk bars — including milk ATM parlours — typically handle between 50 and 200 litres of milk per day and are found in urban and peri-urban areas […]
Commercial generators are essential power backup and prime power solutions for businesses, factories, hospitals, hotels, schools, construction sites, data centers, and agricultural operations across Kenya. With increasing demand for reliable electricity, many organizations are investing in diesel-powered generators from leading brands such as Perkins, Cummins, FG Wilson, Caterpillar, and Volvo. Generator prices in Kenya vary […]