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Lift and Elevator Codes and Standards in Kenya

Lifts are regulated mainly as workplace plant under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007 (CAP 236A), enforced by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) in the Ministry of Labour. The occupier must notify the Director within one month of first use (Form DOSH 20) and register the lift, supported by an examination report from a DOSH-approved plant/equipment examiner; every hoist or lift must then be thoroughly examined at least every six months, and after modifications or extensive repairs. Examination fees are set by the OSH (Fees Charged for Occupational Safety and Health Services) Regulations 2022 (Legal Notice 50 of 2022); a DOSHS draft replacement (2025) has a Part F 'examination of hoists or lifts, escalators', pricing escalator examinations by rise (KES 5,000 up to 4 m) and an annual plant registration certificate per lift; its adoption was not confirmed. The National Building Code 2024 (Legal Notice No. 47, gazetted 1 March 2024, in legal effect from 1 March 2025, led by the National Construction Authority) requires at least one passenger lift in buildings of six or more storeys above ground (press summaries also cite a 14 m floor-height trigger) and that lifts and hoists be installed and maintained in accordance with OSHA 2007. KEBS said in December 2025 that it enforces internationally aligned lift standards including the ISO 8100 series; an older Elevator World report describes an EN 81-based Kenyan lift standard (KS 2169) that had not been gazetted. Lift installers work under NCA contractor registration (the NCA lists a lifts-and-escalators specialist subclass) and an EPRA electrical contractor licence (lift and escalator installers are licensed under Class A-2, per a 2026 Ministry tender addendum).

Who regulates lifts

Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), Ministry of Labour; National Construction Authority (building code, contractor registration); Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (electrical contractor licence for lift installers)

Periodic inspection

Thorough examination at least every 6 months by a person approved by the DOSH Director (OSHA 2007 s.63); report entered in the general register within 14 days. Approved examiners complete the statutory form and send it to DOSHS, which may issue prohibition or improvement notices. Escalator examination fees appear only in the 2025 draft fees regulations.

Installer and maintenance licensing

No lift-specific competence licence found. Installers need NCA contractor registration (NCA lists 'Lifts and Escalators' among specialist subclasses that also need an EPRA licence) and an EPRA electrical contractor licence; a 2026 Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development tender addendum states EPRA licenses lift installers under Class A-2. Statutory examiners must be approved in writing by the DOSH Director (published list of approved plant examiners).

Laws, codes and standards

Lift associations and bodies

Last verified 2026-10-19. Standards are copyrighted: we list which one applies and its legal status, not its text.

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