Get a Kenya Dairy Board permit (milk bar, mini dairy, processor, cooling plant)
Kenya Dairy Board · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Apply online on the KDB client portal after a KDB officer inspects your premises. Milk bars, mini dairies, cottage industries, dispensers and cooling plants pay no permit fee; processors pay KSh 25,000 or KSh 50,000 a year.
- Fee
- KSh 50,000Processor permit, above 20,000 litres a day (annual)KSh 25,000Processor permit, below 20,000 litres a day (annual)
- Where
- Online on the KDB client portal, after an inspection by your nearest KDB office
What you need
- For a new processing or cooling plant: copies of the plant design and approvals such as NEMA and county government, to get an Assurance Letter from KDB
- Milk handling staff must be medically certified
Steps
- Find a suitable premises, then contact the nearest KDB office for a first inspection. Fix anything they flag before you apply.
- Apply online on the KDB client portal (kdbportal.kdb.co.ke). You can sign in with your eCitizen account.
- KDB inspects your premises. If you pass, pay the permit fee for your category.
- Your permit is issued for one year. Start operating and pay monthly cess and levy where it applies.
Watch out
- KDB lists milk bar, mini dairy, cottage industry, dispenser and cooling plant permits as free. The same page also shows older licence fees (for example KSh 2,500 for a milk bar), so confirm the amount on the portal before paying.
- For a renewal, ask KDB for the inspection at least two months before your current permit expires.
- Building a new processing or cooling plant? Get legal approvals and a KDB Assurance Letter before construction starts.
Who can apply
- Dairy business operators: anyone who handles, processes, cools or sells milk and dairy produce.
- Milk bar: a shop that sells dairy produce to customers for their own use.
- Mini dairy: handles more than 500 kg but not more than 10,000 kg a day.
- Cottage industry: farm-level milk processing of not more than 500 kg a day.
- Dairy produce dispenser: selling processed dairy produce from a vending machine (milk ATM).
Common questions
How do I apply for a Kenya Dairy Board permit?
Apply online on the KDB client portal, which lets you sign in with eCitizen.
How much is a milk bar permit?
KDB lists the milk bar permit fee as free.
How much is a processor licence under 20,000 litres a day?
KSh 25,000 a year.
How much is a processor licence above 20,000 litres a day?
KSh 50,000 a year.
When should I renew my KDB permit?
Have the renewal inspection done at least two months before your current licence expires.
Do milk handlers need a medical certificate?
Yes. Milk handling staff should be medically certified, clean and properly dressed.
Official sources (4)
- Permit Categories and Fees kdb.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Licensing Procedures kdb.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Permit Requirements kdb.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Client Service Portal - Login kdbportal.kdb.co.ke · read 2 Oct 2026