Get or renew a Turkana County liquor (alcoholic drinks) licence
County Government of Turkana · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Apply on the county form to the alcoholic drinks committee of your sub-county and pay the KSh 1,000 application fee. Once approved, pay the yearly licence fee: a bar pays KSh 40,000 within the municipality, KSh 20,000 in Lokichar, Kainuk, Kalokol or Lokichoggio and KSh 15,000 in other towns. Every licence ends on 31 December.
- Fee
- KSh 1,000Application fee, per yearKSh 40,000Bar within the municipality, per yearKSh 25,000Wines and spirits within the municipality, per yearKSh 60,000Beer depot / wines and spirits wholesale, per yearKSh 20,000Bar or wines and spirits in Zone B (Lokichar, Kainuk, Kalokol, Lokichoggio), per yearKSh 15,000Bar or wines and spirits in Zone C (other towns), per yearKSh 1,500Public health liquor licence fee and report
- Deadline
- 31 Dec 2026 Licences expire on 31 December each year, so renew before then.
- Where
- In person to the alcoholic drinks committee of your sub-county (County Government of Turkana). No online application was found. County headquarters: Lodwar; info@turkana.go.ke.
What you need
- Application on the county's prescribed form
- Details of your business, and proof if you are already licensed to sell alcohol in another county
Steps
- Fill in the county application form and take it to the alcoholic drinks committee of the sub-county where your premises are. Pay the KSh 1,000 application fee.
- Within 21 days the committee puts up a notice of your application at the sub-county administrator's office and near your premises, and informs the police, public health and planning officers. Anyone can object.
- Pay the KSh 1,500 public health liquor licence fee for the inspection report on your premises.
- If the committee has no objection, it grants the licence once you pay the yearly licence fee for your area and type of business.
Watch out
- A new bar licence needs premises at least 300 metres from any nursery, primary, secondary school or other learning institution for under-18s.
- A general retail (bar) licence lets you sell only from 5pm to 11pm on weekdays, and 2pm to 11pm on weekends and public holidays.
- If you applied to renew and the committee hasn't decided by the expiry date, your old licence stays valid until it does.
Who can apply
- Anyone who wants to make, distribute or sell alcoholic drinks in Turkana County, including bars, wines and spirits shops and beer depots.
- You must be 18 or older.
- For a retail licence, you must live in Kenya.
Official sources (2)
- The Turkana County Alcoholic Drinks and Substance Abuse Control Act, 2025 (Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 15, Turkana County Acts No. 6) turkana.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- The Turkana County Finance Act 2024-2025 (Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 1, Turkana County Acts No. 1) turkana.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026