Get or renew a Nakuru County business permit (trade licence)
County Government of Nakuru · sources read 1 Oct 2026
Apply to Nakuru County's Directorate of Trade and Markets on its application form. It decides within 7 days, and you get the licence once you pay the fee. Every licence expires on 31 December, so renew each year.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- Reviewed within 7 days of applying
- Deadline
- Every licence expires on 31 December
- Where
- Nakuru County Department of Trade (Directorate of Trade and Markets)
What you need
- A county revenue compliance certificate showing you have paid what you owe under county revenue laws
- When renewing: a tax compliance certificate for your previous licence period
Steps
- Fill in the county's application form for a licence and hand it to the Trade department (Directorate of Trade and Markets).
- The directorate reviews it within 7 days. It checks your business is lawful, your premises meet health, sanitation and building rules, and you have a tax compliance certificate.
- If approved, pay the licence fee and the licence is issued to you.
- If it is rejected, the county must tell you why within 7 days. Fix the problem and apply again.
Watch out
- Trading without a licence can cost a registered business a KSh 50,000 fine (KSh 100,000 for a repeat in the same year), and an individual KSh 5,000 (KSh 15,000 for a repeat).
- One licence covers one premises. Running more than one type of business there needs a separate application and fee for each type.
- Display the licence where inspectors can see it.
Who can apply
- Anyone who wants to trade or run a business in Nakuru County.
Official sources (2)
- The Nakuru County Trade Act, 2020 (No. 3 of 2020) nakuru.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Nakuru County Revenue Administration Act, 2016 nakuru.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026