How to Start a Salon Business in Kenya: Costs, Prices and Licences

Even when money is tight, people still get their hair and nails done. In Kenya, men get a cut every two to three weeks and many women are in the salon every fortnight, so a well-run salon has customers all year.

You can start with a couple of chairs and basic tools, then add nails, pedicures and treatments as clients come back. This guide covers what to buy first, what Nairobi salons charge, the permits you need and the mistakes that sink new salons. Prices checked in November 2026.

How much does it cost to start a salon in Kenya?

A small salon in Kenya can open with a few chairs, a wash basin, two dryers and basic tools, and grow from there. The biggest costs are rent and deposit, plumbing for the wash basin, and equipment. Get two or three quotes for each, because second-hand salon furniture is widely sold and can cut what you spend a lot.

Small tools are cheap. A blow dryer costs roughly KSh 1,100 to 8,500 depending on the brand, and a standing hood dryer about KSh 13,000 to 14,000, according to a Kenyan retailer's price comparison. Chairs, mirrors and basins are sold new and used on Jiji, where prices change daily, so compare several sellers before buying.

Your start-up list:

• Rent and deposit, usually two or three months upfront
• Plumbing for a wash basin and hot water, plus wiring for dryers
• Styling chairs, mirrors, a wash basin and chair, and hood or standing dryers
• Clippers, blow dryers, flat irons and sterilising equipment
• A nail station, and pedicure chair if you'll offer feet as well as hands
• Opening stock: shampoos, relaxers, treatments, polish, gel and extensions
• Licences, a sign, and enough cash for rent and wages until regulars build up

What do Nairobi salons charge?

Prices depend heavily on the area. These are real listings from salons on the Fresha booking platform in Nairobi:

Fresha puts the average manicure in Nairobi at about KES 1,500. Salons in estates and smaller towns usually charge less. Before you set prices, visit the salons nearest your planned shop and ask what they charge for the five services you'll sell most.

A worked example

Say your salon does eight paid services a day at an average of KES 800, six days a week. That's about KES 166,000 a month in sales. Out of that come rent, power and water, products, and your stylists' pay or commission. If you pay stylists a share of each job, your costs fall in quiet weeks, which protects you while you build a client base.

That's an illustration, not a forecast. Your real numbers depend on foot traffic and how many regulars you keep.

What licences do you need to open a salon?

1. Register a business name on eCitizen for KES 950. Our guide to registering a business name in Kenya has the steps.
2. Get a Single Business Permit from your county. The fee depends on the county and size of the premises.
3. Pass a public health inspection. Salons handle chemicals and share tools between clients, so inspectors check hygiene, sterilisation and water.
4. Get a KRA PIN and register for eTIMS so you can issue proper receipts.

Running a salon that keeps its clients

• Hire for skill and manners. Clients return to a stylist they trust. Agree in writing how stylists are paid: salary, commission or a chair rental.
• Keep tools clean. Sterilise clippers and nail tools between clients. One infection story can empty a salon.
• Book appointments by phone or WhatsApp. Long waits push people to the next salon.
• Sell products at the counter. Shampoo, treatments and nail care add income from clients who already trust you.
• Take payment by M-Pesa. A till or Pochi la Biashara keeps your business money separate and recorded.

Mistakes that sink new salons

• Opening where there's no foot traffic. Cheap rent on a quiet street costs you more in lost clients.
• Relying on one star stylist. If they leave, their clients often follow. Build loyalty to the salon, not just one person.
• Buying every machine on day one. Start with the services you know sell in your area and add the rest as demand shows.
• Underpricing. Matching the cheapest salon in town leaves nothing for repairs, products or a slow month.
• Skipping the health inspection. Operating without it risks a fine or being shut until you comply.

If you want to test demand before taking a shop, mobile hair and nail services from home are a common start. Our list of side hustles in Nairobi under KES 5,000 has more low-cost ideas.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to open a salon in Kenya?

It depends mostly on rent and how much equipment you buy new. A small salon can start with two chairs, a wash basin, two dryers and basic tools. Buying good second-hand furniture cuts the cost a lot.

Is a salon business profitable in Kenya?

It can be, because clients come back every few weeks and demand holds up even when money is tight. Profit depends on location, keeping good stylists and pricing above your costs.

How much is a manicure in Nairobi?

Listings on Fresha run from about KES 600 for a basic manicure to KES 1,500 for gel, with an average of about KES 1,500 across Nairobi salons. Estate salons usually charge less.

What licences does a salon need in Kenya?

A registered business name, a county Single Business Permit and a public health certificate. You'll also need a KRA PIN for tax and receipts.