Kenya’s short-term rental sector stands at crossroads

All ‘airbnb’ investors in Nairobi—and soon across the country— will be required to register a business, then present relevant documentation to the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA)— including a lease agreement where the landlord expressly agrees to a term rental business, have the unit and amenities inspected for safety before a licence to operate is issued.

These revelations follow discussions in a meeting recently held between short-term rental sector investors in Nairobi under the Vacation Cribs Association of Kenya (Cavak), a voluntary umbrella body, and Norbert Talam, the director-general of TRA.