Sakaja Unveils New County Law Targeting Bars and Clubs Through Digital Licensing
Nairobi bar and club owners are set to experience major relief after Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration introduced LiquorPay, a new cashless digital system designed to simplify the process of applying for and renewing liquor licenses.
The platform eliminates long queues, delays, and paperwork that traders have complained about for years.
The launch of LiquorPay marks a major shift in how more than 13,000 bar, club, and entertainment business owners in Nairobi County access operating permits. Instead of making repeated trips to county offices, traders can now complete the entire licensing process online from the comfort of their businesses.
Under the new system, the licensing office has effectively been moved to traders’ doorsteps. Business owners no longer need to carry physical documents or rely on middlemen to process their licenses, a move expected to save time and reduce unnecessary expenses.
Speaking during the rollout, Chief Officer for Hustler and Business Opportunities Lydia Mathia said the platform was developed with entrepreneurs in mind. She noted that LiquorPay restores control of the licensing process to traders while promoting fairness and efficiency.
“This system puts the power of licensing back into the hands of traders at their doorsteps. It removes corruption, improves transparency in revenue collection, and lowers the cost of doing business for entrepreneurs,” Mathia said.
She further explained that the fully digital payment process ensures every shilling collected by the county government is properly accounted for and redirected toward improving services for Nairobi residents. According to Mathia, integrating licensing with digital payments strengthens accountability across all county operations.
Nairobi County Liquor Board Chairman Myke Rabar also welcomed the new platform, describing it as a game changer for business operations within the county. He stressed that LiquorPay is not meant to target or punish traders but to support them.
“The system is not designed to punish traders. Its goal is to create a free, friendly, and supportive environment for businesses while removing the bottlenecks that came with the manual system,” Rabar said.
Industry players have also applauded the move. Bar, Hotel and Liquor Traders Association Secretary General Boniface Gachoka described LiquorPay as a turning point that will encourage better compliance among traders.
Meanwhile, Michael Muthami, the National Chairman of the Pubs, Entertainment and Restaurant Association of Kenya, said digitalization directly addresses many of the challenges traders previously faced when dealing with county licensing offices.
How to Register and Apply Using LiquorPay
The LiquorPay system follows a clear five-step process aimed at making licensing simple and fast.
The process begins with registration on the nairobiservices.go.ke portal, where traders verify their accounts using their phone numbers. After registration, users log in using their National ID, Business Registration Number, or KRA PIN to access the LiquorPay section.
Traders then choose whether they are applying for a new license or renewing an existing one. After entering their business details, the system automatically generates an invoice without any manual intervention.
Applicants are required to pay a Ksh 6,000 application fee. All payments are strictly cashless and can be made via M-Pesa Paybill number 4185885, using the invoice number as the account reference, or through a bank transfer.
Once payment is confirmed, traders instantly receive a provisional liquor license valid for 21 days, which can be downloaded immediately from the portal. During this provisional period, county enforcement officers conduct physical inspections of the premises.
Businesses that meet all requirements after inspection are then issued with a full annual liquor license, allowing them to operate legally within Nairobi County.
The introduction of LiquorPay is expected to significantly reduce delays, improve transparency, and create a more business-friendly environment for bars and clubs across the city.
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