Stop taking risks during your vacation in Kenya. Now you can be sure that you are relying on people or companies that have regular licenses to work in Kenya!

One of the tips we usually give to those who are planning to stay in Kenya in private accommodation, especially B&Bs and houses rented through apps or social media, but also to those who are organizing a safari through tour operators or other types of excursions and entertainment, is to check whether the activities you are relying on have valid approved and/or renewed licenses.

This is because there have been problems in the past with guests staying in houses rented on platforms such as Airbnb, who were left out of their homes after inspections, or with safari agencies, especially those booked through beach boys, which were blocked by officials before the tourists arrived, or which, when problems arose, such as accidents or different facilities being booked, they disappeared into thin air and it was not possible to claim compensation. There could also be problems with insurance.

The authority responsible for carrying out these checks is the Tourist Regulatory Authority, the same authority that must be contacted to pay the famous tax for those who own a house and are not residents, and want to host friends or relatives.

The good news is that all the names of those operating in Kenya with regular tourist licenses are now ONLINE!

Licenses are divided into categories:

Class A (accommodation)

Class B (catering)

Class C (tour operators and transport)

Class D (parks)

Class E (boats, curio sellers)

Class F (entertainment)

At this link, you can check whether the company you are using has everything in order with regard to operating permits (in the case of accommodation, but also so-called boutique hotels, small tourist villages, bed and breakfasts, residences, the ‘limited’ does not always correspond to the name of the business, so you need to ask).

Similarly, if the website or database has problems, or if you cannot find any information in the database, you have the right to ask for proof of license from the service provider.

Especially if you pay in advance from Italy, ask for a copy of the license. There is absolutely no reason why they should not show it to you, unless they do not have one!

https://tra.go.ke/licensing-2/list-of-entities/

We would also like to remind you that license renewals usually expire on December 31, but the TRA allows at least one month for renewal and has accepted latecomers until the end of February.

From March 31 onwards, there will be no excuse for those who do not have one.