Kakamega Waives Business Permit Fees for PWD Entrepreneurs
Matters Disability Updated: 14 July 2026 13:19 EAT
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Persons with disabilities (PWDs) operating businesses in Kakamega County will no longer pay single business permit fees following a county government waiver aimed at promoting economic inclusion and supporting entrepreneurship among the disability community.
The waiver is provided for under the Kakamega County Finance Act and is intended to ease the cost of doing business for PWD-owned enterprises. County officials say the initiative is designed to enable entrepreneurs with disabilities to retain more capital for business expansion, improve their livelihoods and encourage greater participation in the local economy.
To benefit from the waiver, applicants must be registered persons with disabilities and provide the necessary documentation issued by the relevant government authorities when applying for or renewing their business permits. The exemption applies to county-issued single business permits for eligible enterprises operating within Kakamega County.
Single business permits are mandatory licences issued by county governments to regulate commercial activities, with fees normally determined by the type, size and location of a business. Through the waiver, eligible PWD entrepreneurs will be exempt from these charges, significantly reducing their operating costs.
The county government says the programme is part of its broader commitment to creating an inclusive business environment and removing barriers that have historically limited the participation of persons with disabilities in economic activities.
The initiative is also aligned with the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities and requires public institutions to promote affirmative action and equal access to economic opportunities.
County officials believe the waiver will encourage more persons with disabilities to establish and formalise businesses, enabling them to access government support programmes and other economic empowerment initiatives available to registered enterprises.
The measure is expected to strengthen small and medium-sized businesses owned by persons with disabilities by improving their financial sustainability and competitiveness within the county.
The county has urged eligible entrepreneurs to visit the relevant revenue and licensing offices to process their applications and renewals under the new waiver provisions.
Kakamega has in recent years expanded programmes targeting vulnerable groups through affirmative action policies, with the county administration maintaining that inclusive economic growth remains a key development priority.
The waiver is expected to benefit a wide range of businesses owned by persons with disabilities, including retail shops, service providers, artisans and other licensed enterprises operating across the county.
County officials say reducing the financial burden on PWD entrepreneurs will help create more employment opportunities, strengthen household incomes and promote greater self-reliance among persons with disabilities.
The business permit fee waiver forms part of Kakamega County's wider strategy to ensure that all residents, regardless of disability status, have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the county's economic development.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD