Starting a water vending or refilling business in Kenya can be highly profitable, especially in areas facing water shortages or where clean drinking water is expensive. However, because it directly affects public health, the industry is highly regulated.
This guide explains the complete legal process, whether you plan to set up a water refill kiosk, water ATM, or full bottled water plant.
Step 1: Register Your Business
Before anything else, legally establish your business through eCitizen under the Business Registration Service (BRS).
-
Choose your structure:
✔ Sole Proprietorship
✔ Partnership
✔ Limited Company (Recommended for water bottling or kiosks)
👉 Outcome: You receive a Business Registration Certificate or Certificate of Incorporation.
Step 2: Apply for a County Single Business Permit
This permit allows you to operate commercially in your county.
📌 Required documents:
-
Business registration certificate
-
Lease agreement / physical location map
-
Copy of director IDs and KRA PIN
💡 Note: Fees vary per county and business size. Renew yearly.
Step 3: Public Health Inspection & Licensing
Because you handle drinking water, you MUST be cleared by the Public Health Office.
You need:
✔ Public Health License (for your premises)
✔ Medical Certificates for water handlers/employees
🔎 Health officers will inspect cleanliness, water storage, equipment sanitation, drainage, walls, floors, and hygiene systems.
Step 4: Register With WASREB (Water Services Regulatory Board)
WASREB is the national water service regulator.
All water refill kiosks and water vendors must register with WASREB as Small-Scale Water Service Providers.
Why register?
-
It’s mandatory under the Water Act 2016
-
Protects your business from closure
-
Allows legal sourcing and vending of water
-
Provides guidelines and quality monitoring
💡 Registration is free but required.
Step 5: Secure Water Source Approval
Depending on your source:
If connected to county/municipal water:
✔ Sign a vending agreement (varies by county)
If using borehole water:
✔ Apply for abstraction permit from Water Resources Authority (WRA)
You are not allowed to sell water from unapproved sources.
Step 6 (If Bottling/Packaging): Get KEBS Certification
If you plan to sell water in bottles, jerrycans, or branded containers, you MUST get:
KEBS Standardization Mark (S-Mark)
KEBS will:
-
Inspect your facility
-
Test water quality (chemical & microbiological)
-
Approve labeling and packaging
Requirements For Approval:
-
Stainless steel equipment
-
Washable floors and walls
-
Defined bottling area (no dust/contamination)
-
Documented production process
-
Scheduled laboratory testing plan
⚠ Selling packaged water without KEBS certification is illegal.
🧾 Step 7: Comply With Tax & Excise Requirements (KRA)
All water businesses must register with KRA.
If bottling/packaging water, you must:
✔ Obtain an Excise License
✔ Use Excise Stamps on every bottle/jerrycan
✔ File excise returns monthly
💡 Failure to comply attracts heavy penalties and shutdown.
Step 8: Ongoing Inspections & Renewals
| License/Permit | Renewal Duration |
|---|---|
| Business Permit | Annually |
| Public Health Certificate | Annually (after inspection) |
| Staff Medical Certificates | Periodically |
| WASREB Registration | May require periodic updates |
| KEBS Certification | Facility audits + periodic renewals |
| KRA Excise | Monthly compliance |
Water samples may be randomly taken by:
-
County health officers
-
WASREB
-
KEBS (for bottlers)
This ensures consumer safety.
Cost Factors to Budget For
When planning your business, include:
| Requirement | Estimated Cost (Varies) |
|---|---|
| Business Registration | KSh 950–10,000 |
| County Business Permit | KSh 10,000–60,000 |
| Public Health License | KSh 3,000–15,000 |
| Medical Certificates | KSh 600–1,500 per staff |
| WASREB Registration | Mostly Free |
| KEBS Certification (if bottling) | KSh 23,000+ |
| KRA Excise Stamps | Based on production |
| Lab Tests | KSh 2,500–8,000 per sample |
| Equipment & Setup | Depends on system capacity |
Want to Start a Water Business? We Can Help!
At Trivon Trading Company Limited, we supply professional water purification machines and complete business setups, including:
🔹 Reverse Osmosis Plants
🔹 Water Refilling Stations & Water ATMs
🔹 Bottle Rinser Machines
🔹 Filling Stations & Stainless-Steel Fabrications
🔹 Full Bottled Water Plant Setup
📞 Call/WhatsApp: 0790145145 / 0713644544
📧 info@trivontrading.co.ke | trivontrading@gmail.com
🌐 www.trivontrading.co.ke
📌 Final Advice
→ Before investing in equipment, first confirm your county’s legal requirements and water source approval.
→ Work with certified suppliers to avoid KEBS rejection.
→ Maintain high hygiene standards to prevent license cancellation.