How to pay for and activate Sakaja’s Unified Business Permit

Nairobi City County has rolled out a Unified Business Permit (UBP) which now eliminates the need for entrepreneurs to acquire multiple licenses for their businesses.

A single business permit, a fire clearance certificate, a food hygiene certificate, a pest control certificate, health certificates for hotels, and advertisements have been combined into one license available on NairobiPay portal in a one-stop-shop model.

How to acquire the permit

City Hall has provided three ways through which business owners can acquire the UBP.

Traders can either visit the county’s customer service centre at City Hall Annex and physically pay for the permit or dial *647#.

They can also use the self service public portal www.nairobiservices.go.ke and once there, create an account by entering the details of their business.

Next, log into the account and apply for whichever service you business needs.

The application will be received and reviewed by the Nairobi City County Government and an invoice generated for download by the applicant.

At this point, you will be required to pay the amount due for the service applied for and then download the receipt.

The permit will be generated for download.

The UBP was one of the key commitments made by Governor Johnson Sakaja in his manifesto and during the pre-campaign period as part of plans to improve the ease of doing business in the capital.

The use of the UBP became effective on January 1, 2024.

Speaking during its activation, Sakaja said the UBP will enhance public service delivery by conveniently allowing Nairobi entrepreneurs to pay for their licenses online and electronically receive the permit.

Besides necessitating convenience, the county boss said the new system will also now seal revenue leakages.

“The county government is now on course to generate and reach its target of Sh20 billion in Own Source Revenues to fund development projects in the city,” Sakaja said.