Get a dog licence (Nairobi)
Nairobi City County Government · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Every dog kept in Nairobi needs a county licence. Get your dog vaccinated against rabies, then apply to the county's veterinary department with the vet's certificate and the licence fee. The licence ends on 31 December, so renew it every year.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- Nairobi City County veterinary services department (licensing officer). We found no online application for this.
What you need
- A valid certificate from a vet showing the dog has had its rabies vaccine
Steps
- Take your dog to a vet for the rabies vaccine and get a certificate.
- Apply to the licensing officer at Nairobi County's veterinary department.
- Hand in the vet's certificate and pay the licence fee set in the county's Dog Control and Welfare Act.
- You get the licence and an ID tag. Your dog must wear the tag on its collar.
- Renew every year. The licence is valid for one year and expires on 31 December.
Watch out
- An unlicensed dog can be taken to the county pound. Getting it back costs KSh 5,000.
- Each licence covers one dog only. Two dogs need two licences.
- In public places your dog must be on a leash.
Who can apply
- Anyone who owns or keeps a dog in Nairobi City County.
- No licence fee for a dog kept by a person with a disability, or a guide dog.
Official sources (2)
- The Nairobi City County Dog Control and Welfare Act, 2015 (Nairobi City County Gazette Supplement, Acts 2016) eprocedures.investkenya.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Step-by-step procedure for acquiring a licence to keep a dog in Nairobi City County nairobi.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026