What a business permit is and who needs one
A business permit, formally the single business permit, is the annual licence a county government issues to allow a business to operate within its jurisdiction. It is separate from registering your business (which is national, through the Business Registration Service) and from your KRA tax obligations. Registration makes your business a legal entity; the permit lets it trade in a specific county.
Almost every business that operates from a premises needs a single business permit: shops, restaurants, salons, offices, workshops, wholesalers. The county issues it based on your business category and size, and the fee scales with those. A large supermarket pays a much higher fee than a small kiosk.
Because it is issued by the county, the exact process, service name and fee vary by county. Nairobi calls its version the Unified Business Permit. Most counties now handle applications through eCitizen or their own portal, which has made applying and renewing far easier than the old in-person process.
How to apply for a business permit in Kenya
The process is broadly the same across counties, usually via eCitizen.
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Step 1: Register your business first
Have your business registered (a business name or company) and your KRA PIN ready. The permit is for a business that legally exists.
- 2
Step 2: Log in to eCitizen
Go to eCitizen and log in. County business permit services are increasingly handled through the platform.
- 3
Step 3: Select your county business permit service
Choose the county where you operate and its single business permit (or Unified Business Permit) application.
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Step 4: Enter your business category, location and size
Select the correct business category and enter the location and size details. These determine the fee, so be accurate.
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Step 5: Pay the assessed fee
The system assesses the fee from your category and size. Pay through the platform, usually via M-Pesa or card, and keep the reference.
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Step 6: Download and display the permit
Download the permit once issued, display it at your premises if required, and note the expiry so you renew on time next year.
Common mistakes getting a business permit
Confusing the permit with business registration
Registering your business and getting a county permit are two different things. You need both: registration to be a legal business, and the permit to trade in the county.
Applying to the wrong county
The permit is for the county where you operate. Applying to the wrong county leaves you unlicensed where you actually trade.
Choosing the wrong category or size
The fee and approvals depend on category and size. The wrong choice means overpaying, or underpaying and facing a reassessment with penalties.
Missing the annual renewal
The permit is annual. Not renewing before expiry leaves you trading unlicensed. Set a reminder ahead of the expiry date.
Trading before approval
Operating before the permit is issued can attract enforcement. Apply as you set up, not after an inspection.
A new salon gets its first permit
A new salon owner in Nakuru has registered her business name and has her KRA PIN. To trade legally, she needs the county single business permit.
She logs in to eCitizen, selects the Nakuru County single business permit, chooses the salon category, and enters her location and size. The system assesses the fee, which is modest for a small salon, and she pays via M-Pesa.
She downloads the permit, displays it at the salon, and notes the expiry a year out so she renews on time. With registration, KRA PIN and permit all in order, she is fully set up to operate legally.
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From licensed to selling compliantly
A permit lets you trade; compliant invoicing keeps you right with KRA. Once your single business permit is in place, the day-to-day compliance is issuing correct eTIMS invoices and keeping clean records.
Veira gives a newly licensed business a POS, M-Pesa payments, inventory and KRA eTIMS invoicing in one app with a free terminal, so you go from permit to compliant selling without stitching together separate tools, from KES 2,999 a month.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a business permit in Kenya?
What is a single business permit?
How much does a business permit cost in Kenya?
Do I need a business permit if my business is registered?
How do I renew a business permit?
Which county do I get my permit from?
Getting a business permit in Kenya is a county process, usually on eCitizen, and it is separate from registering your business, you need both. With the permit sorted, Veira handles the selling side of compliance: POS, M-Pesa and KRA eTIMS in one app, from KES 2,999 a month. See how Veira works.