Event Management Licence Kenya 2026: TRA Fee and Steps

Updated 1 November 2026

The event management licence Kenya conference and event firms need is a new Class G licence for “conference and event services” created by the Tourism (Tourism Enterprises) Regulations, 2025 (Legal Notice No. 200 of 16 December 2025). It costs a one-off KSh 1,000 application fee and KSh 30,000 a year, is issued by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) and expires every 31 December. This matters for corporate event planners, conference organisers and MICE firms bidding for government and NGO work, where buyers increasingly ask for regulatory licences.

Updated 1 November 2026 from Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025, First Schedule (g).

Event management licence Kenya fee

Source: Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025. EAC citizens are treated as Kenyan citizens. The schedule does not set a separate non-citizen rate for Class G.

Who needs the Class G licence?

The schedule names “conference and event services” without listing sub-types. In practice that points to firms that organise conferences, summits, exhibitions, corporate retreats, launches and similar events for clients. Venues are licensed under their own class (a hotel’s conference rooms fall under its Class A licence). If you run both tours and events, you may need Class C as well. TRA’s Class G web page had not been published when we checked, so confirm the requirements with TRA before you apply.

Likely documents

TRA’s other business classes ask for a consistent core set, and you should expect the same for Class G:

• Certificate of registration or incorporation (reserve a business name on eCitizen)
• CR12 and/or ID copies of the directors
• KRA PIN certificate of the business (company KRA PIN guide)
• Professional certificates of the person running the business
• Lease or title for the office
• Work permits and investment evidence if foreign-owned
• Proof of membership of a registered tourism sector association, where applicable (regulation 16(2))

How to apply

1. Register the business and get its KRA PIN.
2. Open TRA’s TRIMS portal (trims.tourismauthority.go.ke) and choose the conference and event services category.
3. Upload documents and pay KSh 1,000.
4. Complete any inspection, then pay KSh 30,000.
5. Show the TRA licence to your county to get the single business permit; regulation 15(3) bars counties from issuing a permit to a tourism enterprise without it.

Rules that apply once licensed

• Expiry: 31 December. Renew early; late applications cost 10% of the fee per month (KSh 3,000 a month).
• One address: the licence covers the physical address in your application. Notify TRA of a move.
• No unlicensed suppliers: licensees may not enlist the services of an unlicensed tourism activity or service, so check your transport, guide and venue partners’ licences.
• Online listing: unlicensed enterprises may not be listed on any digital marketing or booking platform.
• Records and data: keep client and staff records for five years and send monthly data to TRA.
• Penalty: up to KSh 100,000 fine, 18 months in jail, or both for breaching the Act.

Bidding for event tenders

Government, county and NGO event tenders usually ask for a certificate of incorporation, CR12, KRA tax compliance certificate, county permit and relevant regulatory licences. Holding the TRA Class G licence, plus a current tax compliance certificate, removes an easy reason for disqualification. A clean website with a portfolio also helps; Kenyan hosting such as Truehost (affiliate link) keeps costs low.

First-year TRA cost

KSh 31,000 in year one (KSh 1,000 + KSh 30,000), then KSh 30,000 a year. Add tourist vehicle stickers (KSh 1,000 a year per local vehicle) if you move delegates in your own vans.

Event management licence Kenya: practical questions

Does a freelance event planner need the licence?

The regulations license “conference and event services” as a tourism enterprise, and the Act bars anyone from carrying on a licensed tourism activity without a TRA licence. A freelancer who contracts with clients in their own name is running that business. If you only work as staff or a subcontractor for a licensed company, the company holds the licence. When in doubt, ask TRA in writing and keep the reply.

What about venues, caterers and transport?

Each supplier is licensed in its own class: hotels and venues under Class A, caterers and restaurants under Class B, and tour vans under Class C with a TRA sticker per vehicle. Because licensees may not enlist unlicensed tourism services, a licensed event company should keep copies of its suppliers’ licences on file for every event.

How the event management licence Kenya rules affect pricing

The KSh 30,000 annual fee is small next to a typical corporate event budget, but late renewal adds 10% a month, so a licence renewed in March costs KSh 9,000 more. Put the renewal in your calendar for September, three months before the 31 December expiry.

Frequently asked questions

Do event companies need a TRA licence in Kenya?

The 2025 regulations create a Class G licence for conference and event services at KSh 30,000 a year plus a KSh 1,000 application fee.

When did the event licence start?

It is in Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025, gazetted on 16 December 2025.

Does a hotel need a separate events licence?

Hotels are licensed under Class A, and the hotel fee bands already account for function rooms. Ask TRA if you also sell events off-site.

How long is the licence valid?

Until 31 December of the year of issue.