Get or renew a Kakamega County trade licence (single business permit)
County Government of Kakamega · sources read 4 Oct 2026
You need a Kakamega County trade licence (the single business permit) before you start any business in the county. Apply to the county licensing office, pay the fee to the Kakamega County Revenue Agency (KCRA), and renew every year before it runs out on 31 December.
- Fee
- KSh 500Application fee, new businessKSh 2,000Small trader shop or retail service, per year: ruralKSh 2,500Small trader shop or retail service, per year: urban (townships, sub-county HQ centres)KSh 5,950Small trader shop or retail service, per year: municipalityKSh 8,500Medium trader shop or retail service (up to 2 staff), per year: municipalityKSh 4,250Light kiosk or temporary structure under 3 m2, per year: municipalityKSh 3,400Hawker on foot (1 person, no vehicle), per year: municipality
- Where
- At the Kakamega County trade licensing office; fees are paid to the Kakamega County Revenue Agency (revenue.kakamega.go.ke). Help: 056 203 1850 or info@kakamega.go.ke
What you need
- The filled trade licence application form. It asks for your KRA PIN, business name, plot or LR number, business activity, and the applicant's ID or passport number.
- A copy of the rates and/or rent clearance certificate for your business premises
Steps
- Fill in the trade licence application form and hand it in to the county licensing office with the application fee. The law also allows applications in an electronic format approved by the county.
- Pay the licence fee to the Kakamega County Revenue Agency (KCRA). The licence is granted only after the fee is paid and health, hygiene and safety rules are met.
- Get your licence. It lists the kind of business you may run and the premises where you run it.
- Every year, apply to renew before your licence expires, and pay the renewal fee to KCRA.
Watch out
- The licence runs to 31 December, whatever month you got it. Renewals cover 1 January to 31 December.
- There is no single price. The fee depends on where the business is, its type and size: a small shop pays KSh 2,000 a year in rural areas, KSh 2,500 in urban centres and KSh 5,950 in the municipality, plus a KSh 500 application fee for a new business.
- Giving false information on your application is an offence, with a fine of up to KSh 50,000 or up to 3 months in jail.
- Running two businesses in the same premises? Each needs its own permit, paid for separately.
Who can apply
- Anyone who plans to run a business or trade in Kakamega County must first get a trade licence.
Official sources (5)
- The Kakamega County Trade Licensing Act, 2018 (Kakamega County Acts No. 5 of 2018) kakamega.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- The Kakamega County Finance Act, 2025 (Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 11, Kakamega County Acts No. 4) kakamega.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- KCRA Profile kakamega.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Contact Us kakamega.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Kakamega County Revenue Agency revenue.kakamega.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026