Get or renew a Kakamega County liquor licence
County Government of Kakamega · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Apply on Form 1 to the alcoholic drinks Sub-county Committee where your premises is, pay the KSh 1,500 application fee, and pay the licence fee once approved. A bar in a city, municipality or other urban area pays KSh 30,000 a year; outside urban areas it is KSh 7,500. Every licence expires on 31 December.
- Fee
- KSh 30,000General retail (on-premises) licence: city or municipality, 12 monthsKSh 30,000General retail (on-premises) licence: other urban areas, 12 monthsKSh 18,000General retail (on-premises) licence: other urban areas, 6 months or lessKSh 7,500General retail (on-premises) licence: outside city, municipality and urban areas, 12 monthsKSh 15,000Off licence (takeaway): city or municipality, 12 monthsKSh 15,000Off licence (takeaway): other urban areas, 12 monthsKSh 1,500Application fee (normal)KSh 2,000Application fee (late)KSh 500Temporary or occasional licence (per day)KSh 1,000Transfer of a licenceKSh 300Duplicate licence
- Deadline
- All licences expire on 31 December each year, so renew before then.
- Where
- In person at the alcoholic drinks Sub-county Committee in your sub-county (County Government of Kakamega). No online application was found. County help: info@kakamega.go.ke, 056 203 1850.
What you need
- Form 1: application for grant or renewal of a retail or wholesale alcoholic drinks licence, filled in three copies
Steps
- Fill in Form 1 (three copies) for a new licence or a renewal.
- Hand it to the alcoholic drinks Sub-county Committee in the sub-county where your premises is, and pay the application fee (KSh 1,500, or KSh 2,000 if late).
- The committee posts a public notice of your application at the Sub-county administrator's office (at least 21 days) and at your premises, then considers it.
- If there is no objection, pay the licence fee for your area and licence type and collect your licence.
Watch out
- A bar must be at least 100 metres from a school or nursery, except under strict conditions.
- No liquor licence is given for an outlet inside a petrol station or fast food restaurant.
- Applying after the committee's deadline costs more: the late application fee is KSh 2,000.
Who can apply
- Anyone who wants to sell, distribute, import or make alcoholic drinks in Kakamega County.
- You must be 18 or older.
Official sources (4)
- The Kakamega County Finance Act, 2025 (Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 11, Kakamega County Acts No. 4) kakamega.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- The Kakamega County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2014 (Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 22, Kakamega County Acts No. 6) kakamega.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- The Kakamega County Alcoholic Drinks Control Regulations, 2018 (Legal Notice No. 6, Kakamega County Legislative Supplement No. 6) kakamega.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Contact Us kakamega.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026