Get a research permit for the Kenya National Archives
Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Make an official request at the Kenya National Archives for a research permit and pay the fee for your group: KSh 100 for diploma-level students and below, up to KSh 1,500 for non-citizens. The permit is issued in about 30 minutes.
- Fee
- KSh 100Students (diploma and below)KSh 200Undergraduate studentsKSh 500Adults, master's and PhD studentsKSh 1,500Non-citizens
- How long
- About 30 minutes
- Where
- In person at the Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service
What you need
- An official request for a research permit
Steps
- Go to the Kenya National Archives and make an official request for a research permit to use the preserved archival records.
- Pay the fee for your group: KSh 100 (diploma and below), KSh 200 (undergraduate), KSh 500 (adults, master's and PhD) or KSh 1,500 (non-citizens).
- Wait for your permit. The service charter promises it within 30 minutes.
Watch out
- Non-citizens pay KSh 1,500, much more than Kenyan researchers, so check which group you fall in before you go.
- The research permit is for archival records. Just visiting the archive sections and Murumbi gallery has its own entry fee (KSh 50 for a resident adult).
Who can apply
- Anyone who wants to research preserved archival records: students, adult researchers and non-citizens. The fee depends on your group.
Official sources (2)
- Citizens' Service Delivery Charter migecah.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- State Department for Culture and Heritage migecah.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026