Updated 14 November 2026
KICC hall hire charges start at KSh 22,968 a day for the 40-square-metre Batian Room and rise to KSh 430,815 for the Tsavo Ballroom when it is booked for a conference, or KSh 574,200 when it is booked for an exhibition. Those figures already include VAT and the 10% service charge. The Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) publishes separate rack rates for conferences and meetings, exhibitions and concerts, plus fees for the helipad, the view tower and photo shoots. This guide sets out every published rate, what the taxes add, and how to book.
Updated 14 November 2026. All figures come from the KICC Service Pricing Guidelines page, checked on 14 November 2026. KICC calls these rack rates, so negotiated or multi-day packages may differ.
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KICC hall hire charges at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cheapest room | Batian Room (40 sq m): KSh 22,968 including taxes |
| Largest indoor hall | Tsavo Ballroom (2,444 sq m): KSh 430,815 for meetings |
| Largest outdoor space | The Lawns (7,500 sq m): KSh 165,880 for meetings |
| Amphitheatre | 2,666 sq m on the 2nd and 3rd floors: KSh 236,621 |
| Taxes in the inclusive rate | 16% VAT plus a 10% service charge |
| Booking contacts | sales@kicc.co.ke, 020 3261000 |
| Location | Harambee Avenue, Nairobi CBD |
KICC conference and meeting rates
These are the KICC hall hire charges for conferences, meetings, workshops and similar events. The first rate column excludes taxes and the service charge. The second column is what a client pays once 16% VAT and the 10% service charge are added.
| Room or space | Location | Size (sq m) | Rate before taxes (KSh) | Rate with taxes (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsavo Ballroom | Ground floor | 2,444 | 337,629 | 430,815 |
| Tsavo A | Ground floor | 1,400 | 250,000 | 319,000 |
| Tsavo B | Ground floor | 1,044 | 200,000 | 255,200 |
| Amphitheatre | 2nd and 3rd floors | 2,666 | 185,440 | 236,621 |
| Aberdares Hall | Lower ground floor | 355 | 92,446 | 117,961 |
| Lenana Hall | Lower ground floor | 295 | 84,042 | 107,238 |
| Impala Room | 1st floor | 140.5 | 25,000 | 31,900 |
| Lake Turkana Room | 1st floor | 140.5 | 25,000 | 31,900 |
| Shimba Hills Room | 1st floor | 205.41 | 60,000 | 76,560 |
| Taifa Room | Lower ground floor | 285 | 35,000 | 44,660 |
| VIP Lounge | 1st floor | 100 | 120,000 | 153,120 |
| Batian Room | 1st floor | 40 | 18,000 | 22,968 |
| Delegates Lounge | 1st floor | 806 | 54,000 | 68,904 |
| Amphi-foyer | 2nd floor terrace | 1,659 | 45,000 | 57,420 |
| Bilateral rooms | 1st floor | 6 rooms | 60,000 | 76,560 |
| Courtyard | Opposite City Hall Way | 7,056 | 130,000 | 165,880 |
| Upper COMESA grounds | Opposite Parliament | 5,497 | 216,000 | 275,616 |
| Lower COMESA grounds | Opposite Parliament | 6,057 | 216,000 | 275,616 |
| Raised tree area | Near the City Hall gate | 6,450 | 100,000 | 127,600 |
| The Lawns | Next to COMESA grounds | 7,500 | 130,000 | 165,880 |
| Fountains (6 hours) | KICC grounds | – | – | 116,000 |
For a small board meeting or training of 20 to 40 people, the Impala and Lake Turkana rooms are the lowest-cost options after the Batian Room. For a 300 to 400-seat seminar, Aberdares and Lenana halls cost roughly a quarter of the full Tsavo Ballroom. Splitting the ballroom into Tsavo A or Tsavo B is a middle option for mid-sized conferences.
KICC exhibition rates
KICC hall hire charges for exhibitions are higher than for meetings because the space is usually held longer and sees heavier traffic. KICC lists these rack rates for exhibitions:
| Space | Size (sq m) | Rate before taxes (KSh) | Rate as listed with taxes (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsavo Ballroom | 2,444 | 450,000 | 574,200 |
| Lenana Hall | 295 | 190,000 | 242,440 |
| Aberdares Room | 295 | 190,000 | 242,440 |
| Courtyard | 7,056 | 200,000 | 255,200 |
| Upper COMESA grounds | 5,497 | 200,000 | 242,440 |
| Lower COMESA grounds | 6,057 | 200,000 | 242,440 |
| The Lawns | 7,500 | 200,000 | 242,440 |
Note that KICC’s exhibition table shows KSh 242,440 as the inclusive figure for some spaces priced at KSh 200,000 before taxes, while the Courtyard at the same base rate shows KSh 255,200. Applying VAT and service charge to KSh 200,000 gives KSh 255,200, so confirm the final amount on your quotation before you budget.
KICC concert rates
Concerts and entertainment events have their own table of KICC hall hire charges. The Tsavo Ballroom is the only indoor space listed for concerts.
| Space | Size (sq m) | Rate before taxes (KSh) | Rate with taxes (KSh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsavo Ballroom | 2,444 | 400,000 | 510,400 |
| Courtyard | 7,056 | 200,000 | 255,200 |
| Upper COMESA grounds | 5,497 | 200,000 | 255,200 |
| Lower COMESA grounds | 6,057 | 200,000 | 255,200 |
| The Lawns | 7,500 | 200,000 | 255,200 |
| Tower block (3D advertising) | – | 320,000 | 408,320 |
A public concert also needs the usual permits, security and, where music is played, licences from the music rights bodies. Our guide to the event management licence in Kenya covers the Tourism Regulatory Authority side.
Helipad, view tower and photo shoot fees
KICC’s rooftop helipad and view tower are popular for small functions, filming and weddings. The published charges are:
| Service | Charge (KSh) |
|---|---|
| Helipad event or function (up to 4 hours) | 60,000, plus 1,000 per extra hour |
| Helicopter landing | 20,000 per landing |
| Wedding photo shoot (first 10 adults) | 10,000, plus 100 per extra adult |
| Filming (moving pictures) | 25,000 |
| Commercial photo shoot | 7,500 |
| View tower, adult East African citizen or resident | 200 |
| View tower, primary school and below | 50 |
| View tower, secondary school | 50 |
Non-resident visitors pay a separate dollar-denominated view tower fee, with lower rates for children under 12 and students with proof.
How taxes change the KICC price
The inclusive KICC hall hire charges equal the base rate multiplied by 1.276. That reflects 16% VAT and the 10% service charge, both calculated on the base rate. For example, the Shimba Hills Room is KSh 60,000 before taxes: KSh 9,600 VAT plus KSh 6,000 service charge brings it to KSh 76,560.
If your organisation is VAT-registered, you may be able to claim back the VAT as input tax, so the real cost to the business is closer to the base rate plus service charge. Ask KICC for a valid electronic tax invoice. Government bodies and NGOs should check their own procurement rules on how venue hire is budgeted.
How to book KICC
- Pick your dates and space: list the expected number of guests, the layout (theatre, classroom or banquet) and any exhibition stands.
- Request a quotation: write to sales@kicc.co.ke or call the sales team on 020 3261000, or use the Book Event option on the KICC website.
- Confirm extras: audio-visual equipment, catering, event planning and technical support are offered separately, so ask for them on the same quotation.
- Pay the deposit: follow the payment terms on the KICC quotation and keep the receipt.
- Arrange permits: large public events may also need county and security clearances.
KICC lists its opening hours as 06:00 to 18:00 every day, so evening functions should be confirmed with the sales team in advance.
Budgeting tips for a KICC event
- Book the smallest room that fits: the Taifa Room (285 sq m) at KSh 44,660 is far cheaper than Lenana Hall at KSh 107,238 for a similar floor area.
- Check multi-day pricing: the published KICC hall hire charges are a starting point, and longer bookings are often quoted as packages.
- Add catering and AV early: these can rival the hall fee for a full-day conference.
- Promote early: list your event in our Kenya business events calendar and see our guide on how to promote a business event in Kenya.
- Compare venues: see the conferences in Nairobi calendar for what other organisers are planning, and our list of conference venues in Naivasha for out-of-town options.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire KICC?
KICC hall hire charges range from KSh 22,968 for the Batian Room to KSh 430,815 for the Tsavo Ballroom for a meeting, including VAT and the 10% service charge. Exhibitions in the Tsavo Ballroom cost KSh 574,200.
How much is the KICC Tsavo Ballroom?
KSh 337,629 before taxes or KSh 430,815 with taxes for conferences, KSh 510,400 with taxes for concerts and KSh 574,200 for exhibitions.
Do KICC rates include VAT?
KICC publishes two columns. The lower figure excludes 16% VAT and the 10% service charge; the higher figure includes both.
How much is the KICC helipad?
A helipad function of up to 4 hours costs KSh 60,000, plus KSh 1,000 per extra hour. A wedding photo shoot costs KSh 10,000 for the first 10 adults.
How much is it to go up the KICC view tower?
KSh 200 for an adult East African citizen or resident and KSh 50 for school pupils. Non-residents pay a separate dollar rate.
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