{"id":"ke","country":"ke","kind":"country","name":{"en":"Kenya","local":"Kenya"},"languages":["sw","en"],"currency":"KES","symbol":"KSh","fxPerUsd":129,"cities":{"T1":"Nairobi","T2":"Nakuru","T3":"Nanyuki"},"basket":{"teaCup":30,"simpleMeal":150,"haircutMen":150,"milkLitre":130,"breadLoaf":70,"unskilledDayWage":700,"minWageMonthly":18047,"shopRentSqftMonth":{"T1":150,"T2":60,"T3":30},"electricityCommercialKwh":25,"lpgCommercialCylinder":3200,"petrolLitre":227},"tax":{"salesTax":"VAT 16%; compulsory registration at KES 5 million turnover in 12 months","smallBizThreshold":"Turnover Tax 1.5% of gross sales for resident businesses with KES 1m–25m turnover (rate cut from 3% by Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024); below KES 1m normal income tax bands","localLevies":"County Single/Unified Business Permit (Nairobi ≈ KES 3,500–15,000+ for small traders), fire, public health and signage fees; daily market cess for hawkers"},"licences":[{"name":"Business name registration (sole proprietor)","fee":"KES 950 via eCitizen / BRS (estimate, fee unchanged for years)","authority":"Business Registration Service","source":"Est.: BRS schedule KES 950 as of 2024; not re-checked for 2026"},{"name":"Private limited company","fee":"≈ KES 10,650 incl. stamp duty (estimate)","authority":"Business Registration Service","source":"Est.: BRS schedule 2024"},{"name":"KRA PIN and eTIMS onboarding","fee":"Free","authority":"Kenya Revenue Authority","source":"https://trykintsugi.com/sales-tax-guides/africa/kenya"},{"name":"County Single/Unified Business Permit","fee":"≈ KES 3,500 (informal trader) – 15,000 (small workshop); Nairobi eateries billed up to KES 31,000 after consolidation","authority":"County government","source":"https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/city-hall-hits-nairobi-traders-with-heavy-licensing-burden-2143110"},{"name":"Fire safety certificate (Nairobi)","fee":"KES 2,000 small trader (1–2 staff); KES 12,000–40,000 shops/supermarkets (2023 Finance Bill)","authority":"Nairobi City County","source":"https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/increased-charges-await-traders-as-nairobi-set-to-introduce-unified-permit/amp"},{"name":"Food handler's medical certificate and food hygiene licence","fee":"≈ KES 500–1,500 per worker per 6 months + premises licence (estimate)","authority":"County public health","source":"Est.: Public Health Act Cap 242 requirement; county fees vary"}],"festivals":[{"name":"Christmas and New Year","dates2026_27":"25–26 Dec 2026, 1 Jan 2027","effect":"Urban exodus to rural homes: Nairobi demand dips, upcountry towns surge; meat and drink sales up"},{"name":"January school fees","dates2026_27":"Jan 2027","effect":"'Njaanuary' slump: household cash goes to fees, retail demand falls for 3–4 weeks"},{"name":"Easter","dates2026_27":"26–29 Mar 2027","effect":"Four-day break, travel and food demand up"},{"name":"Eid al-Fitr","dates2026_27":"about 10 Mar 2027","effect":"Public holiday; Mombasa and coast demand pattern follows Ramadan"},{"name":"Madaraka / Mashujaa / Jamhuri Day","dates2026_27":"1 Jun, 20 Oct, 12 Dec","effect":"Public holidays; offices shut, eateries in residential areas busier"}],"seasons":[{"months":"Mar–May","what":"Long rains: flooding in Nairobi informal settlements, muddy markets, transport slows"},{"months":"Oct–Dec","what":"Short rains; El Niño years bring severe floods"},{"months":"Jun–Sep","what":"Cool dry season in highlands; drought risk in ASAL counties raises food prices"}],"payments":{"digitalShare":"M-Pesa dominant: most urban small-shop takings via Lipa na M-Pesa till or Pochi la Biashara (estimate 60–80% in towns); cash still common in rural markets","credit":"Fuliza overdraft and Hustler Fund micro-loans; 'deni' customer credit in dukas; chamas fund stock"},"notes":"Kenya's small-business economy runs on M-Pesa: tills, Pochi la Biashara, Fuliza overdrafts and the Hustler Fund replace UPI and Mudra. The national tax regime is simple for micro firms (Turnover Tax 1.5% between KES 1m and 25m, VAT only above KES 5m), but county governments are the real regulators: Single Business Permits, fire and health certificates and daily market cess vary sharply by county, and county askaris crack down on hawkers. Minimum wages are set by area: KES 18,047/month in the five cities versus KES 9,628 elsewhere after the 12% rise of May 2026. Fuel is costly (petrol about KSh 227/L in Oct 2026) and grid power is fairly reliable but dear (about KSh 25/kWh all-in for small commercial). The August 2027 general election, protests and floods are the main disruption risks.","factors":[{"id":"P01","cat":"Wages","name":"Minimum wage, general labourer, five cities","value":"KES 18,047.40/month (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret), +12% from 1 May 2026","role":"HV","source":"https://the-star.co.ke/news/2026-07-06-employers-feel-pinch-as-12-pay-rise-takes-effect","estimate":false},{"id":"P02","cat":"Wages","name":"Minimum wage, other areas","value":"KES 16,650.95 (Mavoko, Ruiru, Limuru); KES 9,628.07 all other areas","role":"HV","source":"https://www.grantthornton.co.ke/insights/kenya-minimum-wage-guide-2026/","estimate":false},{"id":"P03","cat":"Wages","name":"Night watchman / cleaner (cities)","value":"KES 20,133.72 / KES 18,047.40 per month","role":"HV","source":"https://thekenyatimes.com/latest-kenya-times-news/watchmen-to-be-paid-ksh20000-as-govt-gazettes-new-minimum-wages/","estimate":false},{"id":"P04","cat":"Wages","name":"Casual day wage (Nakuru)","value":"≈ KES 600–800/day","role":"HV","source":"Est.: KES 18,047 ÷ 26 ≈ KES 694; casual market rate similar","estimate":true},{"id":"P05","cat":"Wages","name":"Statutory payroll deductions","value":"NSSF 6% (employer) up to upper limit; SHIF 2.75% (employee); Affordable Housing Levy 1.5% each side","role":"HV","source":"Est.: Social Health Insurance Act 2023 and Affordable Housing Act 2024 rates","estimate":true},{"id":"P06","cat":"Rent","name":"Shop rent T1 Nairobi","value":"≈ KES 150/sq ft/month (CBD/Eastlands mix; CBD ground floor 200+)","role":"HV","source":"Est.: listings of KES 15,000–40,000 for 100–200 sq ft stalls in Nairobi; plus 1–3 months' deposit and goodwill","estimate":true},{"id":"P07","cat":"Rent","name":"Shop rent T2 Nakuru / T3 Nanyuki","value":"≈ KES 60 / 30 per sq ft/month","role":"HV","source":"Est.: secondary towns roughly 40% / 20% of Nairobi","estimate":true},{"id":"P08","cat":"Rent","name":"Goodwill payment","value":"Prime stalls demand one-off 'goodwill' of KES 50,000–500,000","role":"PD","source":"Est.: common Nairobi market practice","estimate":true},{"id":"P09","cat":"Power","name":"Electricity, small commercial","value":"≈ KES 25/kWh all-in (base ≈ 20 + fuel/forex charges + 16% VAT + levies)","role":"HV","source":"https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/116469-explainer-7-taxes-and-levies-kplc-electricity-bill (structure); base ≈ KES 20 from calculator dataset","estimate":true},{"id":"P10","cat":"Power","name":"2026 tariff hike withdrawn","value":"Proposed 14–31.8% KPLC increase withdrawn on 3 Jun 2026","role":"HV","source":"https://solarquarter.com/2026/06/10/kenya-withdraws-proposed-electricity-tariff-hike-protecting-consumers-from-higher-power-costs/","estimate":false},{"id":"P11","cat":"Fuel","name":"Super petrol / diesel, Nairobi","value":"KSh 226.96 / 227.76 per litre (15 Oct–14 Nov 2026); Mombasa 223.81 / 224.61","role":"HV","source":"https://tech-ish.com/2026/10/14/petrol-rises-to-kes-226-96-in-nairobi-and-kerosene-jumps-kes-28-49/","estimate":false},{"id":"P12","cat":"Fuel","name":"Kerosene","value":"KSh 219.87/L Nairobi (+28.49 in Oct 2026)","role":"HV","source":"https://citizen.digital/article/more-pain-for-motorists-as-super-petrol-price-increases-by-ksh1293-diesel-by-ksh990-n392062","estimate":false},{"id":"P13","cat":"Fuel","name":"LPG 13 kg refill","value":"≈ KES 3,200","role":"HV","source":"Est.: ≈ KES 2,900–3,100 in 2025, raised for 2026 oil shock","estimate":true},{"id":"P14","cat":"Prices","name":"Food inflation","value":"≈ 9.5% y/y (Sep); milk up 6% m/m","role":"HV","source":"https://thekenyatimes.com/economy/why-kenyans-are-paying-more-for-milk-flour-and-vegetables/","estimate":false},{"id":"P15","cat":"Prices","name":"Maize flour 2 kg","value":"≈ KES 150–160 (KES 152.28 Sep 2025)","role":"HV","source":"https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/104933-sugar-maize-flour-prices-drop-inflation-reduces-44-36","estimate":true},{"id":"P16","cat":"Prices","name":"Milk and bread","value":"Packet milk ≈ KES 130/L (500 ml ≈ 65); 400 g bread ≈ KES 70","role":"HV","source":"Est.: 2025 KNBS-level prices plus 2026 milk increases","estimate":true},{"id":"P17","cat":"Prices","name":"Kibanda chai and meal","value":"Chai KES 20–30, mandazi KES 10–20; githeri/ugali-sukuma plate KES 100–200","role":"HV","source":"Est.: kibanda/hotelini prices in secondary towns","estimate":true},{"id":"P18","cat":"Prices","name":"Men's haircut (kinyozi)","value":"≈ KES 100–200 Nakuru; KES 200–500 Nairobi","role":"HV","source":"Est.: kinyozi market rates","estimate":true},{"id":"P19","cat":"Prices","name":"Exchange rate","value":"≈ KES 129/$ (stable since 2024)","role":"HV","source":"Est.: CBK rate held near 129 through 2025–26","estimate":true},{"id":"P20","cat":"Registration","name":"Business name via eCitizen / BRS","value":"≈ KES 950; online, 1–3 days","role":"PD","source":"Est.: BRS fee schedule 2024","estimate":true},{"id":"P21","cat":"Licence","name":"County Single Business Permit","value":"KES 3,500–15,000+/yr; Nairobi consolidation pushed small shops to KES 9,500–13,700 and an eatery to KES 31,000","role":"HV","source":"https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/city-hall-hits-nairobi-traders-with-heavy-licensing-burden-2143110","estimate":false},{"id":"P22","cat":"Licence","name":"Fire certificate Nairobi","value":"KES 2,000 (1–2 staff) to KES 40,000","role":"HV","source":"https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/increased-charges-await-traders-as-nairobi-set-to-introduce-unified-permit/amp","estimate":false},{"id":"P23","cat":"Licence","name":"Food handler medical certificate","value":"Every food worker needs one, renewed 6-monthly","role":"HV","source":"Est.: Public Health Act Cap 242","estimate":true},{"id":"P24","cat":"Tax","name":"Turnover Tax","value":"1.5% of gross monthly sales, KES 1m–25m turnover","role":"HV","source":"https://paybillke.com/guides/kra-turnover-tax-vs-monthly-rental-vs-income-tax-kenya-2026","estimate":false},{"id":"P25","cat":"Tax","name":"VAT","value":"16%; compulsory at KES 5m turnover","role":"PD","source":"https://trykintsugi.com/sales-tax-guides/africa/kenya","estimate":false},{"id":"P26","cat":"Tax","name":"eTIMS invoicing","value":"Purchases without eTIMS invoices not deductible; pushes suppliers to register","role":"PD","source":"https://www.riotimesonline.com/kenya-sme-tax-complexity-hidden-cost-2026/","estimate":false},{"id":"P27","cat":"Payments","name":"M-Pesa till / Pochi la Biashara","value":"Most urban customers pay by M-Pesa; till MDR ≈ 0.5% (capped), Pochi free to receive","role":"PD","source":"Est.: Safaricom Lipa na M-Pesa tariff 2025","estimate":true},{"id":"P28","cat":"Payments","name":"Credit","value":"Fuliza overdraft, Hustler Fund (KES 500–50,000 at 8% p.a.); duka 'deni' to regulars","role":"PD","source":"Est.: Hustler Fund launched Nov 2022 terms","estimate":true},{"id":"P29","cat":"Business types","name":"Common small businesses","value":"Dukas/kiosks, mama mboga, kibanda food, M-Pesa agents, kinyozi and salons, tailoring (fundi), phone repair, boda boda","role":"HV","source":"Est.: KNBS MSME survey categories (2016) and observation","estimate":true},{"id":"P30","cat":"Regional rules","name":"Hawker zones / county askaris","value":"Nairobi CBD hawking restricted; askaris confiscate goods","role":"HV","source":"Est.: Nairobi City County by-laws","estimate":true},{"id":"P31","cat":"Regional rules","name":"Plastic bag ban","value":"Carrier bags banned since Aug 2017; fines up to KES 4m","role":"HV","source":"Est.: Gazette Notice 2356 of 2017","estimate":true},{"id":"P32","cat":"Regional rules","name":"Alcohol licensing and hours","value":"Bars licensed by county; sale hours restricted (Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2010)","role":"HV","source":"Est.: Alcoholic Drinks Control Act 2010","estimate":true},{"id":"P33","cat":"Climate","name":"Two rainy seasons","value":"Long rains Mar–May, short rains Oct–Dec","role":"HV","source":"Est.: Kenya Meteorological Department","estimate":true},{"id":"P34","cat":"Language","name":"Languages","value":"Swahili and English; Sheng in Nairobi","role":"HV","source":"Est.: Constitution 2010 art. 7","estimate":true},{"id":"P35","cat":"Demographics","name":"Income and urbanisation","value":"GDP/capita ≈ $2,000–2,200; ≈ 30% urban","role":"HV","source":"Est.: World Bank WDI order of magnitude","estimate":true},{"id":"P36","cat":"Festivals","name":"January slump","value":"Retail demand down ~20–30% in January (school fees)","role":"HV","source":"Est.: seasonal pattern","estimate":true},{"id":"P37","cat":"Risk","name":"Election period unrest (Aug 2027)","value":"General election 10 Aug 2027: weeks of slowdown, possible violence","role":"RE","source":"Est.: constitutional election date; 2007/2017 precedent","estimate":true},{"id":"P38","cat":"Risk","name":"Protests / Finance Bill demonstrations","value":"Gen-Z protests (Jun 2024, Jun–Jul 2025) closed CBDs, looting","role":"RE","source":"Est.: widely reported 2024–25","estimate":true},{"id":"P39","cat":"Risk","name":"Flooding","value":"2024 long-rain floods displaced thousands in Nairobi","role":"RE","source":"Est.: Apr–May 2024 floods","estimate":true},{"id":"P40","cat":"Risk","name":"Fuel price spike","value":"Monthly EPRA reviews can add KSh 10–13/L","role":"RE","source":"https://citizen.digital/article/more-pain-for-motorists-as-super-petrol-price-increases-by-ksh1293-diesel-by-ksh990-n392062","estimate":false},{"id":"P41","cat":"Risk","name":"National blackout","value":"Nationwide KPLC outages a few times a year","role":"RE","source":"Est.: 2023–24 national blackouts","estimate":true},{"id":"P42","cat":"Risk","name":"County crackdown / demolition","value":"Kiosks demolished, hawkers' goods confiscated","role":"RE","source":"Est.: recurrent county enforcement","estimate":true}],"regions":[{"id":"ke-nairobi","name":"Nairobi","why":"Highest rents and wages, consolidated Unified Business Permit, CBD hawking restrictions"},{"id":"ke-mombasa","name":"Mombasa","why":"Coastal Muslim majority: Ramadan pattern, tourism seasonality, port-linked prices"},{"id":"ke-kisumu","name":"Kisumu","why":"City wage rate but lower rents; lake fish trade; protest hotspot"},{"id":"ke-nakuru","name":"Nakuru","why":"Fast-growing city (city wage rate) with mid-level rents; agricultural hub"},{"id":"ke-kiambu","name":"Kiambu (Ruiru, Thika)","why":"Middle wage band (KES 16,651), commuter towns with cheaper rents"},{"id":"ke-uasin-gishu","name":"Uasin Gishu (Eldoret)","why":"City wage rate, maize economy, election tension risk"}]}