Joy For Nairobi Businesses In 2024 After Sakaja Introduces New License

Nairobi residents, particularly those owning businesses were handed a bright start to 2024 after Governor Johnson Sakaja announced the end of an era of the issuance of multiple business licenses.

Sakaja in a statement on Monday, January 1 announced the activation of the electronic Unified Business Permit (UBP) regime, as part of an ease-of-doing business reform initiative, a matter he termed a pleasant New Year's gift.

The UBP combines the business, fire, food, health, and advertising licenses into one and will be available on the Nairobi City County Government's NairobiPay Revenue service online portal.

Sample of a Nairobi business permit. /FILE

"The activation of the UBP regime eliminates the issuance of multiple licenses. It has been in the development and pilot stages in recent months and was one of the key commitments made by Governor Sakaja Johnson in his manifesto," the statement read in part.

Speaking when he confirmed the UBP activation, Sakaja noted that the activation of the UBP system, effective immediately, will enhance public service delivery by conveniently allowing Nairobi entrepreneurs to pay for their licenses online and receive an electronic unified business permit.

"We continue to make Nairobi Work, and I am glad that the UBP has now been activated as part of a deliberate effort to improve the ease of doing business parameters in this city.

"This electronic solution eliminates the issuance of multiple business permits in various service points, which has also been a key revenue leakage risk," Sakaja said.

He added that the UBP regime is also expected to boost the Nairobi City County Government's source revenues (OSR) performance, which is expected to grow and facilitate the collection of Ksh20 billion, by sealing revenue leakage points.

"With the activation of the UBP issuance on the NairobiPay Portal, the county government is now on course to generate and reach its target of Ksh20 Billion in Own Source Revenues to fund development projects in the city," Sakaja assured.

In addition to the new UBP the Governor has also extended the land rates waiver until January 31, 2024, with customers now able to pay for their land rates using the Nairobi Pay Portal or dial *647#.

President William Ruto's government had targeted January 2023 as the launch of the single business permit as part of the measures by the government to eliminate the punitive business requirements of obtaining multiple permits and cut down on costs incurred.

The implementation of the single business permits was one of President Ruto's pre-election campaign promises, despite noting that many Kenyan youths were struggling to set up their businesses given the numerous requirements by the federal and county governments on permits.