Step 1 — Register the company (BRS)

Register online via eCitizen/BRS: a private limited company costs KES 10,650, a business name KES 950[1]. Most serious operators go straight to an Ltd — the TRA licence and KATO membership both expect it.

Step 2 — TRA tour-operator licence (Class C)

  • Under the Tourism Act 2011, operating as a tour operator without a TRA licence is an offence (fines up to KES 100,000 and/or up to 18 months)[2].
  • Class C requirements: certificate of incorporation, CR12/director IDs, enterprise KRA PIN, professional certificates of the person in charge, vehicle logbooks or hire contracts, insurance copies, and premises evidence; foreign ownership additionally needs a work permit and USD 100,000 base capital[3].
  • Licences are annual and calendar-year; renew at least 3 months early or face a 10%-of-fee penalty per month[2].
  • Fee check: the 2014 legal notice says KES 8,000/yr + 1,000 application, while a TRA post for the 2026 cycle indicates KES 21,000/yr — flag and confirm at application[4].

Step 3 — Vehicles and drivers (NTSA)

Tourist service vehicles run under the PSV regime: the vehicle needs a Road Service Licence and drivers need PSV badges (good conduct, appropriate licence class)[6]. Buy or contract reliable 4×4s and budget insurance honestly — vehicle and liability cover are TRA requirements anyway[3].

Step 4 — Employer obligations

  • NSSF: employer 6% + employee 6% under the Year 4 rates effective February 2026[7].
  • SHIF: 2.75% of gross salary (minimum KES 300) remitted by the employer under the Social Health Insurance Act 2023.
  • KRA PIN for the enterprise and PAYE for staff (the enterprise PIN is a TRA requirement anyway).
  • County single business permit — fees are set per county; check your county’s Finance Act.

Step 5 — KATO membership (after year one)

KATO membership opens after a year operating as an Ltd with a TRA licence (application KES 1,000)[5]. Members get the bonding scheme, KTF Safety & Communication Centre access, park-ticket one-stop shop and industry representation — worth planning for in year two.

Step 6 — The part nobody budgets: the booking system

New operators lose their first clients in the quote stage: slow quotes, PDF attachments, no deposit path. Set up a catalog-driven quoting flow with interactive proposals and M-Pesa/card deposits from day one — our tour-operator solution runs on a free plan while you land your first bookings, and our pricing guide shows what the alternatives cost.