Nairobi Launches Online Platform for Liquor Licensing

Nairobi County has launched a digital platform for issuing liquor licences, replacing manual procedures with an online system aimed at improving efficiency and transparency for traders.

The platform, known as LiquorPay, is part of the county government’s efforts to modernise service delivery and reduce administrative delays in the licensing process. It allows bar and club owners to apply for and renew licences online, removing the need for in-person visits to county offices. Officials say more than 13,000 establishments are expected to use the system.

The Chief Officer for Hustler and Business Opportunities, Lydia Mathia, said the platform was developed to give traders direct control over the licensing process. She stated that the system reduces opportunities for corruption, improves revenue accountability, and lowers the cost of doing business by integrating applications and payments into a single digital workflow.

The Nairobi County Liquor Board described the platform as a major improvement over the previous system. Board chairman Myke Rabar said LiquorPay streamlines operations while ensuring fairness for traders, adding that it removes delays and inefficiencies associated with manual processing.

Industry groups have welcomed the move. Boniface Gachoka, Secretary General of the Bar, Hotel and Liquor Traders Association, said the system would support compliance, while Michael Muthami, National Chairman of the Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurant Association of Kenya, said digital processing addresses long-standing challenges faced by business owners.

Under the new process, applicants register on the nairobiservices.go.ke portal and verify their phone numbers before logging in using a National ID, Business Registration Number, or KRA PIN. Traders then choose whether to apply for a new licence or renew an existing one and submit their business details, after which the system generates an invoice.

Payments are cashless and can be made via M-Pesa using Paybill number 4185885 or through bank transfer. An application fee of Ksh6,000 is required. Once payment is confirmed, applicants receive a provisional licence valid for 21 days, which can be downloaded immediately.

During the provisional period, county enforcement officers carry out inspections. Businesses that meet the required standards are then issued with a full annual liquor licence.