Water Vending and Refilling Business Licences in Kenya: A Practical Permits Checklist
- County permit + public health
- Regular lab water tests
- WRA for borehole abstraction
- KEBS for sealed bottled water
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Permits Checklist
| Permit / document | From | When needed |
|---|---|---|
| Business name or company registration | Business Registration Service | Always |
| Single business permit | County government | Always |
| Public health licence / inspection | County public health office | Premises selling water for drinking |
| Water quality analysis | Accredited laboratory | Before opening and regularly after |
| Medical / food handler certificates | Approved facilities | Staff handling water and bottles |
| Water abstraction permit | Water Resources Authority | If you drill or abstract from a borehole |
| Product certification | KEBS | If you sell sealed, labelled bottled water |
Some counties add fire safety, signage or other permits. Ask your county offices for the current list and fees.
How to Prepare for Inspection
- Clean, tiled or washable floors and walls; no stagnant water.
- Covered storage tanks cleaned on a schedule (see tank cleaning).
- Water test report on file (see reading a test report).
- Bottle washing and sanitising area (see sanitising 20 L bottles).
- Records of filter and membrane changes.
Equipment That Makes Compliance Easier
H-TECH 125 LPH 3-in-1 Borehole RO Water Vending MachineKSh 330,000
100 LITTERS WATER VENDING ATMKSh 120,000
200 LITERS WATER VENDING MACHINEKSh 150,000
WALL BASED WATER VENDING MACHINE + BOTTLE RINSERKSh 242,000
Bottle RinserKSh 110,000
TDS Handheld MeterKSh 6,500
pH Handheld MeterKSh 4,500| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| H-TECH 125 LPH 3-in-1 Borehole RO Water Vending Machine | KSh 330,000 |
| 100 LITTERS WATER VENDING ATM | KSh 120,000 |
| 200 LITERS WATER VENDING MACHINE | KSh 150,000 |
| WALL BASED WATER VENDING MACHINE + BOTTLE RINSER | KSh 242,000 |
| Bottle Rinser | KSh 110,000 |
| TDS Handheld Meter | KSh 6,500 |
| pH Handheld Meter | KSh 4,500 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 18 October 2026).
A complete RO vending system with UV and a bottle rinser, plus TDS and pH meters for daily checks, gives inspectors confidence. See installation requirements.
Vending vs Bottled Water
Refilling customers’ containers is simpler to license than producing sealed, branded bottled water, which needs KEBS certification and label compliance. Compare in water vending vs bottled water business and KEBS certification for bottled water.
Watch: RO purifiers and water ATMs
Frequently asked questions
What licences do I need for a water refilling business in Kenya?
Usually business registration, a county permit, a public health licence, water quality tests and staff certificates.
Do I need KEBS for a water refill shop?
KEBS certification applies to sealed, labelled bottled water; confirm requirements for your model.
Do I need a WRA permit?
Yes if you abstract water from a borehole.
How often should water be tested?
Before opening and regularly after, as your county public health office requires.
Do licence requirements differ by county?
Yes; confirm with your county offices.