Updated 1 November 2026
A restaurant licence Kenya food businesses need from the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) is a Class B licence priced by annual gross receipts. Under Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025 every restaurant pays a KSh 1,000 application fee once, then an annual fee from KSh 16,000 (new restaurants and those under KSh 2 million turnover) up to KSh 85,000 (over KSh 7 million). The licence expires on 31 December, and you also need county public health clearance and food handlers’ certificates. Here is the full fee table, the documents and each step.
Updated 1 November 2026 from Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025 (First Schedule, Class B) and the TRA Class B page.
Restaurant licence Kenya fees by turnover
| Annual gross receipts | Application fee (once) | Annual licence fee |
|---|---|---|
| New restaurant (not traded before) | KSh 1,000 | KSh 16,000 |
| Under KSh 2 million | KSh 1,000 | KSh 16,000 |
| KSh 2 million to 3 million | KSh 1,000 | KSh 20,500 |
| KSh 3 million to 4 million | KSh 1,000 | KSh 29,500 |
| KSh 4 million to 5 million | KSh 1,000 | KSh 39,000 |
| KSh 5 million to 6 million | KSh 1,000 | KSh 48,000 |
| KSh 6 million to 7 million | KSh 1,000 | KSh 57,500 |
| Over KSh 7 million | KSh 1,000 | KSh 85,000 |
Source: Legal Notice No. 200 of 2025, First Schedule (b), published 16 December 2025.
Example
A café taking about KSh 250,000 a month has gross receipts of about KSh 3 million a year, so it falls in the KSh 2 to 3 million band and pays KSh 20,500 a year. Once it passes KSh 3 million it moves to KSh 29,500. Keep sales records that match your KRA filings, since the band is based on receipts.
Which food businesses need a TRA licence?
TRA’s Class B covers restaurants and other food and beverage services listed in the Ninth Schedule of the Tourism Act. Hotels with restaurants are licensed under Class A instead. If you are unsure whether a kiosk, food truck or cloud kitchen counts, ask TRA before opening, because the county cannot issue your business permit for a tourism enterprise without the TRA licence (regulation 15(3)).
Documents TRA asks for
- Certificate of registration or incorporation
- CR12 for companies and/or ID copies of the directors or owner
- KRA PIN certificate of the business (company KRA PIN guide)
- Entry or work permit if foreign-owned
- Confirmed during inspection: lease or proof of ownership, list of employees, health clearance certificate and food handlers’ health certificates
Source: TRA Class B licensing page, checked 1 November 2026.
How to get a restaurant licence in Kenya: steps
- Register the business and reserve the name on eCitizen.
- Get public health clearance for the premises and medical certificates for every food handler from your county health office.
- Apply on TRIMS (trims.tourismauthority.go.ke) and pay the KSh 1,000 application fee.
- TRA inspection confirms the lease, staff list and health documents.
- Pay the annual fee for your turnover band.
- Get your county permit with the TRA licence; see the single business permit guide. Add a fire safety certificate and, if you sell alcohol, a county liquor licence.
- Display the licence at the premises.
Renewal and penalties
- Licences expire on 31 December each year; renew three months early as the Tourism Act requires.
- Late renewal costs 10% of the fee per month of default.
- The licence covers one physical address. A second branch needs its own licence, and a move must be notified to TRA in writing.
- Unlicensed restaurants may not list on digital booking or marketing platforms.
- Operating without a licence: fine up to KSh 100,000, jail up to 18 months, or both.
Other costs of opening a restaurant
TRA is one line in a longer list: county business permit, public health certificate, food handlers’ tests, fire certificate, liquor licence where relevant, music copyright licences if you play music, and KRA registration for VAT once you cross the threshold. Accept M-Pesa and issue eTIMS invoices from day one to keep KRA records clean.
Restaurant licence Kenya: mistakes that cost money
- Opening before the licence is issued. TRA can inspect at any time, and trading unlicensed risks a fine of up to KSh 100,000.
- Under-declaring turnover. TRA can compare your band with KRA and county records.
- Missing renewals. A KSh 20,500 licence renewed two months late costs an extra KSh 4,100.
- Forgetting branches. Every outlet needs its own restaurant licence Kenya authorities will check at that address.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a TRA restaurant licence?
KSh 1,000 once, then KSh 16,000 to KSh 85,000 a year depending on annual gross receipts. New restaurants start at KSh 16,000.
Does a small café need a TRA licence?
Restaurants and other food and beverage services are Class B enterprises under the Tourism Act. Confirm your category with TRA before opening.
When do TRA licences expire?
On 31 December each year, with a 10% penalty for each month of late renewal.
What health documents does a restaurant need?
A county health clearance certificate for the premises and food handlers’ medical certificates for staff.
Prefer WhatsApp? Follow Business Radar on WhatsApp
Weekly, free. We only use your email for this newsletter and you can unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy.
