Machakos County Traders Cry Foul Over New Licensing Fees

Traders in Machakos County are lamenting a new directive that appears to have caught business operators in the region by surprise.

According to a local source, county officials recently visited businesses with invoices for 2025 licenses, introducing an additional fee for every machine or piece of equipment used in operations.

This adjustment means a business owner with multiple tools, such as computers, salon chairs, or hotel tables, could see their annual license costs soar.

According to sources who spoke to blogger Cyprian Nyakundi, “I don’t know if this is happening countrywide or it’s in my county. I am from Machakos County and county officials visited my business to give me license invoice forms for 2025.

“They told me I will pay the normal license fee for 2025, which is KSh 3,800, and that the government has introduced a new law to apply countrywide. Every machine is to be charged an extra KSh 2,000 per year.

“If I have four machines, i.e., computers or four salon seats or kinyozi seats, or hotel tables, I will pay extra every year for every working equipment. This means my new license fee for 2025 is KSh 11,800, yet I used to pay KSh 3,800 per year. I am being told this law will apply in every county, and any equipment or machine used for work will be taxed.”