Nairobi County Business Registration Form
Nairobi is the heartbeat of East African commerce. Whether you are opening a boutique in Kilimani, a hardware store in Gikomba, or a tech consultancy in Westlands, your journey to legal operation begins with one document: the Nairobi City County Business Registration Form (often referred to as the BR-1 Form).
Below is the Nairobi County Business Registration Form
Nairobi County BUSINESS-REGISTRATION-FORMd41d
Above is the Nairobi County Business Registration Form
In 2026, the process of starting a business in the capital has become significantly more streamlined through the Unified Business Permit (UBP). This single permit consolidates what used to be multiple licenses—including the general trading license, fire clearance, health certificate, and outdoor advertising—into one efficient application.
FAQ: Your Roadmap to Registering a Business in Nairobi
Q: What is the first step before applying for a Nairobi County permit?
A: You must first ensure your business entity is legally recognized at the national level. This involves registering your business name or company through the Business Registration Service (BRS) on the eCitizen portal. Once you have your Certificate of Incorporation or Business Name Certificate, you are ready to apply for the county-level permit.
Q: What exactly is the BR-1 Form? A:
The BR-1 is the primary registration form used by the Nairobi City County Government. It captures essential data about your enterprise, such as the physical location (including Land Reference/Plot numbers), the nature of your business activity, the number of employees, and the size of your premises. This data is used to calculate your annual permit fees. Source:
Q: Can I complete my business registration online?
A: Yes. Nairobi City County has moved most of its licensing to the Nairobi Pay (Nairobi eServices) portal.
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Register/Login: Visit
nairobiservices.go.ke. -
Profile Setup: Enter your National ID or KRA PIN.
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Application: Select “Unified Business Permit” and fill in the digital version of the registration form.
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Payment: Generate an invoice and pay via M-Pesa or bank transfer.
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Download: Once verified, your UBP is available for immediate download and printing.
Q: What documents should I have ready when filling out the form?
A: To ensure a smooth application, have digital copies of the following:
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Certificate of Incorporation/Registration: From BRS/eCitizen.
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National ID/Passport: Of the business owner or directors.
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Business KRA PIN: Crucial for tax compliance.
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Lease Agreement/Title Deed: To verify your physical business location.
Q: How much does a business permit cost in Nairobi in 2026?
A: The cost is not fixed; it is determined by your “Activity Code.” For example, a small retail shop might pay around Ksh 7,000, while a large professional firm or a high-capacity restaurant could pay Ksh 50,000 or more. The portal automatically calculates this fee based on the square footage of your premises and the number of employees you declare on the form.
Start Your Entrepreneurial Journey
Compliance is the best form of business insurance. By securing your Unified Business Permit early, you avoid the heavy fines and potential closures that come with county enforcement “crackdowns.” Download the manual form for your records or jump straight to the online portal to finalize your registration.
