eTIMS

How to Add a User in eTIMS in Kenya (2026)

K By Kev 24 June 2026 7 min read
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eTIMS guide

how to add a user in eTIMS is something Kenyan businesses ask about often as KRA eTIMS becomes part of everyday trading. To let staff issue compliant invoices, you add them as users in your eTIMS-capable system, ideally each with their own login, so every invoice is traceable to who issued it. The exact steps depend on your software; compliant systems let you add users and set what each can do. This guide explains it in plain English, what to do in practice, the mistakes to avoid, and how Veira makes it simple. Rules, rates and steps change, so treat this as a practical map and confirm the current detail with KRA at kra.go.ke.

Key takeaways
  • Add staff as users so they can issue compliant invoices
  • Give each their own login so invoices are traceable to who issued them
  • Set permissions per role, separating cashiers from supervisors
  • Train each user to issue a compliant invoice and capture a buyer PIN
On this page
  1. Why and how to add users
  2. How to add a user
  3. Common mistakes to avoid
  4. A shop adds its cashiers
  5. How Veira makes this simple
  6. Frequently asked questions

Why and how to add users

In most businesses, the owner is not the only person ringing up sales. Cashiers and staff need to issue compliant invoices too, which means adding them as users in your eTIMS-capable system. The principle that matters is individual logins: each person issuing invoices should have their own, so every invoice is traceable to who issued it.

Individual logins are not just tidy; they support accountability and make it possible to set what each user can do, separating a cashier who rings up sales from a supervisor who can also handle refunds or reports. The exact steps to add a user depend on your software, but a compliant system should let you add staff, give each a login, and control their permissions. Set this up so your whole team can trade compliantly. Confirm any KRA-side requirements with KRA.

Getting the basics right once means compliance runs quietly in the background of your business.

How to add a user

A practical path for a Kenyan business.

  1. 1

    List who needs to issue invoices

    Identify the staff who ring up sales or handle invoicing, since each should have their own login.

  2. 2

    Add each as a user with a login

    In your system, add each person as a user with their own login, so invoices are traceable to who issued them.

  3. 3

    Set the right permissions

    Give each user the permissions their role needs, separating cashiers from supervisors who handle refunds or reports.

  4. 4

    Train and go live

    Show each user how to issue a compliant invoice and capture a buyer PIN, then let them trade.

Common mistakes to avoid

Sharing one login across staff

A shared login makes invoices untraceable to a person. Give each user their own for accountability.

Giving everyone full permissions

Not every user needs to handle refunds or reports. Set permissions to each role to limit risk.

Skipping training

A user who does not know how to capture a buyer PIN causes errors. Train each one briefly before go-live.

A shop adds its cashiers

Worked example

A shop in Nairobi had all three cashiers sharing one login, so when an invoice was wrong, no one knew who issued it.

The owner added each cashier as a user with their own login and set a supervisor permission for refunds, then ran a short training.

Every invoice was now traceable to the cashier who issued it, refunds were controlled, and accountability improved across the counter.

Business impact

Trading without eTIMS-compliant tax invoices risks KRA penalties, blocked VAT input claims for your customers, and receipts a business buyer cannot expense.

Veira signs every sale to KRA eTIMS automatically, so each receipt is compliant the moment it prints, with no separate device to reconcile.

How Veira makes this simple

Veira is built for Kenyan businesses. It issues compliant KRA eTIMS invoices automatically on every sale, applies the right tax treatment per item, captures the buyer KRA PIN, keeps your records reconciled and ready for filing, and reconciles M-Pesa and Pochi payments to each sale.

It runs on a free handheld terminal or the phone you already own, keeps working offline, and runs from KES 2,999 a month with a free terminal and a 30-day money-back guarantee. See how Veira works, or book a free demo.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add a user in eTIMS?
Add each person as a user in your eTIMS-capable system, ideally with their own login, and set the permissions their role needs. The exact steps depend on your software; a compliant system lets you add users and control what each can do.
Should each cashier have their own login?
Yes. Individual logins make every invoice traceable to who issued it and let you set permissions per role. A shared login removes that accountability.
Can I limit what a user can do?
Yes, with a system that supports permissions. Separate a cashier who rings up sales from a supervisor who can handle refunds or pull reports, to limit risk.
Does Veira support multiple users?
Yes. Veira lets you add staff with their own logins and set permissions per role across one or many branches, so your whole team trades compliantly with full traceability.
Does Veira handle this for me?
Yes. Veira issues compliant KRA eTIMS invoices automatically, keeps your records reconciled and ready for filing, and works offline, so compliance happens as you trade rather than as separate paperwork.
Where do I confirm the current rules?
Rules, rates and steps change. Confirm the current position for your business directly with KRA at kra.go.ke or with a tax adviser before relying on a specific figure or deadline.

how to add a user in eTIMS is straightforward once you know the essentials, and with a compliant system like Veira the day-to-day part is handled for you. See how Veira works, or book a free demo. Always confirm current KRA rules and rates at kra.go.ke, as they can change.

For more eTIMS guides and compliance resources, visit our free resource site.

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