Get or renew an Embu County alcoholic drinks (liquor) licence
County Government of Embu · sources read 6 Oct 2026
Apply to the sub-county alcoholic drinks committee where your premises are and pay the KSh 1,000 application fee. Once approved, pay the yearly licence fee for your outlet and area, for example KSh 20,000 to 50,000 for a small or medium bar and restaurant.
- Fee
- KSh 1,000Application feeKSh 40,000General retail (on-licence, drink on premises), Class A area, yearlyKSh 20,000General retail (on-licence), Class C or D area, yearlyKSh 30,000General retail (off-licence, take-away), Class A area, yearlyKSh 10,000General retail (off-licence), Class C or D area, yearlyKSh 50,000Bar and restaurant, medium or small, Class A area, yearlyKSh 20,000Bar and restaurant, medium or small, Class C or D area, yearlyKSh 80,000Supermarket or franchise retail store, Class A area, yearlyKSh 1,000Temporary or occasional licence, per dayKSh 1,500Duplicate licence
- Deadline
- Every liquor licence expires on 31 December each year, so renew before then.
- Where
- In person to the sub-county alcoholic drinks committee (through the sub-county administrator's office) in the sub-county where your premises are. No online liquor licence service was found. County help: 068 2230033, 068 2230656 or info@embu.go.ke.
Steps
- Apply on the prescribed form to the sub-county alcoholic drinks committee in the sub-county where your premises are, and pay the KSh 1,000 application fee.
- Within 21 days the committee publishes a notice of your application at the sub-county and ward offices and near your premises, so the public can object.
- The sub-county public health and physical planning officers report on your premises within 14 days of the notice. Attend the committee hearing in person or through an advocate.
- If the committee has no objection, pay the yearly licence fee for your outlet type and area to receive the licence.
Watch out
- Applying late or operating without a licence costs a penalty of 50% of the annual licence fee.
- A new business applying for six months or less pays half the licence fee.
- Not displaying your liquor licence can cost a KSh 1,000 penalty.
Who can apply
- Anyone who wants to make, distribute or sell alcoholic drinks in Embu County.
- You cannot get a licence if you are under 18, an undischarged bankrupt or (for a retail licence) not resident in Kenya.
Official sources (4)
- The Embu County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2021 (Embu County Acts No. 1 of 2021, Kenya Gazette Supplement of 24 May 2021) embuassembly.go.ke · read 6 Oct 2026
- The Embu County Alcoholic Drinks Control (Amendment) Act, 2024 (No. 6 of 2024) embuassembly.go.ke · read 6 Oct 2026
- The Embu County Finance Act, 2025 (No. 3 of 2025; Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 6, Embu County Acts No. 3) embuassembly.go.ke · read 6 Oct 2026
- Contact Us embu.go.ke · read 6 Oct 2026