Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has urged business owners in the city to stop using middlemen when applying for county licences, warning that they could fall victim to fraud.
Speaking during a Nairobi Business Breakfast Forum organised by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) on Thursday, September 17, Sakaja said traders can apply for and obtain their licences directly from the county.
He said the county has introduced the Pay Nairobi website, where businesses can apply for licences and make payments without involving intermediaries.
Once the process is complete, traders can download and print their licences directly from the platform.
“You do not need a middleman to obtain your county licence. Apply directly through our website, pay via Pay Nairobi and print your licence. That alone is enough,” Sakaja said.
The governor said the system was part of efforts to make it easier and more transparent for businesses to operate in Nairobi.
Sakaja also announced plans to introduce a system that will allow members of the public to verify county compliance and enforcement officers.
He said the county will verify all its officers involved in compliance and enforcement within the next month and issue them with identification documents.
The system will allow business owners and members of the public to confirm whether officers carrying out enforcement duties are genuine county officials.
“We are also putting in place a verifiable identification system for County compliance and enforcement officers within one month to eliminate impostors and enhance accountability,” he said.
The move is also expected to address cases involving people posing as county officers while carrying out enforcement activities.
Sakaja made the announcements as he met members of the business community to discuss challenges affecting their operations and possible ways of improving the business environment in Nairobi.
