Revenue Reverend
  • Welcome
    • Indian Entertainments and Passenger Tax
  • Alphabetical list of territories
  • Africa (East)
    • British East Africa
    • East Africa & Uganda / KUT
    • Kenya
    • Somaliland Protectorate
    • Tanganyika / Tanzania
    • Uganda
    • Zanzibar
  • Africa (Southern)
    • Lesotho
    • Northern Rhodesia / Zambia
    • South Africa (Union / Republic)
    • South Africa - Entertainments (Cape etc)
    • South Africa - Entertainments (Natal)
    • South West Africa / Namibia
    • Zululand
  • Asia
    • Brunei
    • Burma / Myanmar
    • Burma / Myanmar stamp paper
    • Labuan
    • Malaya (FMS)
    • Malaya (Japanese and Thai Occupation)
    • Maldive Islands
    • Mauritius
    • Mauritius supplementary information
    • North Borneo / Sabah
    • Seychelles
    • Seychelles supplementary information
  • Europe
    • Gibraltar
    • GB and Ireland Excise
    • Malta
  • Italian Colonies and former Colonies
    • Italian East Africa / Italian Colonies (General issues)
    • Eritrea
    • Somalia (British Occupation)
    • Somalia (ITT and Independent)
    • Libya (British Occupation)
  • Middle East
    • Abu Dhabi
    • Aden
    • Bahrain
    • Dubai
    • Euro-Arab Chambers of Commerce
    • Kuwait
    • Libya (Kingdom regional issues)
    • Libya (Kingdom federal issues)
    • Libya (Republic and People's Republic)
    • Oman
    • Palestine
    • Qatar
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Syria
    • Syria (Syndicates and Charities)
    • Syria (Key)
    • Trucial States
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Yemen (Northern / Kingdom / YAR)
    • Yemen (Southern / PDR)
  • Pacific Islands
    • British Solomon Islands
    • Fiji
  • West Indies
    • Antigua
    • Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • British Guiana / Guyana
    • British Honduras / Belize
    • British Virgin Islands
    • Cayman Islands
    • Dominica
    • Grenada
    • Jamaica
    • Jamaica supplementary information
    • Leeward Islands
    • Montserrat
    • St Kitts-Nevis
    • St Lucia
    • St Vincent
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Couldn't help noticing...
  • Contact me

Kenya


Chapter overview
  • Airport Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed A)
  • Excise (catalogue numbers prefixed X)
  • Graduated Personal Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed G)
  • Hospital Tax (catalogue numbers prefixed H)
  • Huduma (Services Charge) (catalogue numbers prefixed C)
  • Impressed revenue stamps (catalogue numbers prefixed Z)
  • Judicial (catalogue numbers prefixed J)
  • Kodi (catalogue numbers prefixed K)
  • Revenue (catalogue numbers prefixed R)

For revenues inscribed Registration of Domestic Servants, see under Impressed revenue stamps.

Kenya Telegraphs inscribed Uganda Railway are listed under Uganda.

Acknowledgments for Kenya can be found on the main East Africa page.

Airport Tax

A: Issues inscribed DEPARTURE FEE
Picture
A1 and A1a
1971 (recorded usage).  Label inscribed DEPARTURE FEE (EXTERNAL PASSENGERS ONLY) PAID.  Imperf.

  A1. 10s black on cream
     a. Slightly bolder font

Note: the alignment of the text differs slightly between the two types.  On A1 the final T of TICKET is below the H of THE, while on A1a it is below the T of THE.


 

B: Issues inscribed AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
Picture
A6
August 1972 (earliest recorded example).  Two aeroplanes.  42 x 31½ mm.  Perf 13½.  Watermark of rectangular mesh.

  A6. 20s blue, yellow and grey 
Picture
A7/a and A8/a
PictureA7 underprint visible under UV light
1975-80.  View of airport.  42 x 31 mm.  Perf 14½.  No watermark.  Security underprint in turquoise ink reading O P & C M (letters ½ mm high) and GENUINE (2 mm high).  Printed by De La Rue.  Value and inscriptions in black, design in grey, background colour given.

  A7. 20s yellow-green
    a. Without underprint
  A8. 80s brown-orange (1980)
    a. Without underprint

Notes:
1. The dates of issue given here derive from the De La Rue proofs in the Crown Agents archive in the British Library: the 20s was approved on 22nd April 1975 and the 80s on 28th February 1980.  It is not known when the reprints without security underprint were issued.
2. Cylinder numbers recorded: 20s (A7) 1B1B, 80s (A8) 1A1A.

 

Picture
A9/10
c1983.  Provisional handstamp surcharges on A8.

    A9. 100s on 80s brown-orange
    A10. $10 on 80s brown-orange

Note: the 100s on 80s surcharge is also known as a manuscript provisional.  Other handstamped versions may also exist.

 
Picture
A11/a, A12/13
1984-90s.  View of airport.  As previous issue but change to perf 13½.  Underprint as before but less prominent.  Printed by Harrison.

a) Denominated in shillings
  A11. 20s yellow-green
    a. Without underprint
  A12. 100s pale violet

b) Denominated in US dollars, with serial number in black at lower right, six digits prefixed by two letters
  A13. $10 pale violet

Notes:
1. The date of issue shown here is based on the Harrison proof of the 100s in the Crown Agents archive, which was approved on 12th March 1984.  It is not known when the other values were issued.
2. Cylinder numbers recorded: $10 (A13) 1A1A1A.
3. Gibson lists a 50s value from this (perforated) issue, but I believe this is an erroneous listing for my A21.

 

 

Picture
A19

c1985.  View of airport.  As A13 but imperf.  Underprint as before.  Denominated in US dollars, with serial number in black at lower right, consisting of six digits with no letters.

  A19. $10 pale violet







C: Issues inscribed AIRPORT PASSENGER SERVICE CHARGE

Picture
A21/23
1985 (according to Gibson).  View of airport.  41 x 30 mm.  Imperf.  No watermark.  Self-adhesive, with cross-shaped security puncture to prevent re-use (except A22).  Faint security underprint in turquoise ink reading O P & C M (letters ½ mm high).  Value, inscriptions and serial number (at lower right) in black, design in grey, background colour given.

a) Inscribed LOCAL and denominated in KSHS (Kenyan Shillings)
  A21. 50s pale blue

b) Inscribed INTERNATIONAL and denominated in US$ (United States Dollars)
  A22. $20 pale violet
  A23. $20 ultra-pale pink

Note: the pink of A23 is so pale that the turquoise security underprint tends to dominate, making the stamp appear pale green.  Gibson lists this stamp as being green and black.

 
Picture
A31/32 and A32a (top row), A35/36
PictureDetail of A32 (top) and A32a (bottom)
c1990 (according to Gibson).  Elephant and mountains, inscribed KENYA GOVERNMENT at top.  41 x 30 mm.  Imperf, with deckled edge at top.  No watermark.  Self-adhesive, with cross-shaped security puncture to prevent re-use (the serial letter is also punctured into the stamp at right).  Design multicoloured, with inscriptions and serial number in black.  KENYA and value in colour given.

a) Inscribed LOCAL and denominated in KSHS (Kenyan Shillings)
  A31. 100s pale blue


b) Inscribed INTERNATIONAL and denominated in US$ (United States Dollars)
  A32. $20 black
    a. International shifted to left


1993 (earliest recorded example).  As A31/2 but inscription at top changed to KENYA AIRPORTS AUTHORITY.
  [A34. 50s pale blue]
  A35. 100s on 50s pale blue (handstamped provisional)
  A36. $20 black


Notes:
1. The word INTERNATIONAL is centred relative to the elephant's tusk on A32 and A36, and relative to the elephant's flank on A32a.  The two types can also be distinguished by the security numbers, which are in a bolder thicker font on A32a.  These seem to be two different printings and it is not known which was issued first.
2. The face value on A34/5 is shown as KSHS50.  A34 is presumed to have been issued without the 100s provisional surcharge but I have not seen an example.


Excise
Labels stuck on bottles or cigarette packs to indicate the payment of alcohol or tobacco duty.


c2005-2010.  Alcohol excise.  Arms of Kenya and lion device, with letters KRA (= Kenya Revenue Authority).  34 x 11 mm.  Imperf.  No watermark.  Silver hologram strip at foot and security number in black.
Picture
X1, X11/14
a) Wide margin around design (c2005)

  X1. "W ≥750 ml" (wine 750 ml or more) green, purple and black

b) No margin around design (first recorded in 2010)

  X11. "S <750 ml" (spirits less than 750 ml) scarlet and purple
    a. Carmine and purple, figures of value slightly taller
  X12. "S ≥750 ml" (spirits 750 ml or more) scarlet and purple
  X13. "W <750 ml" (wine less than 750 ml) purple and bright green
  X14. "W ≥750 ml" (wine 750 ml or more) purple and bright green

 

 

Picture
X21/22
2010 (first recorded usage).  Tobacco excise.  Arms of Kenya and lion device, with letters BAT  (= British American Tobacco) inverted at top.  34 x 11 mm.  Imperf.  No watermark.  Silver hologram strip at top and security number in black.  Wide margin around design.

  X21. (No value) carmine and lilac ('BAT' in carmine)
  X22. (No value) carmine, lilac and black ('BAT' in black)

Note: the above listing requires further development, and readers are encouraged to consult the Kenya page on Andrey Vasiunin's excellent website Tax Stamps Collection.

Graduated Personal Tax

Please note: footnotes for all Graduated Personal Tax issues are given below G41

1963 (see note 1).  19½ x 22½ mm.  Perf 14 x 14½.  No watermark except where indicated.  Printed (recess) by De La Rue.


Picture
G1/8
a) Value in blue-black; underprint of faint mauve diagonal lines
  G1. 4s deep blue
  G2. 6s blue-green
  G3. 9s brown
  G4. 13s vermilion
  G5. 20s violet
  G6. 30s red-brown
  G7. 40s orange-yellow
  G8. 50s light blue


Picture
G12/18
b) Value in red; same mauve underprint as G1/8, but headplate now also incorporating radiating contour lines
  G12. 6s scarlet
  G13. 9s bright green
  G14. 13s brown
  G15. 20s light blue
  G16. 30s yellowish green
  G17. 40s purple-brown
  G18. 50s red-orange


c1967.  As G1/18 but different colours. 
19½ x 22½ mm.  Perf 14 x 14½.  No wmk.


Picture
G21/28
a) Value in black, with mauve underprint as G1/8
  G21. 4s orange-yellow
  G22. 6s scarlet
  G23. 9s bright green
  G24. 13s brown
  G25. 20s light blue
  G26. 30s yellowish green
  G27. 40s purple-brown
  G28. 50s red-orange


Picture
G32/38
b) Value in red, with radiating contour lines as G12/18 but no mauve underprint
  G32. 6s orange-yellow
  G33. 9s claret
  G34. 13s deep blue
  G35. 20s vermilion
  G36. 30s bright yellow-green
  G37. 40s brick-red
  G38. 50s light blue


Picture
G41/48
1964 (earliest recorded usage - see note 1).  Different colours again.  Contour lines behind value as G12/18 and G32/38.  No mauve underprint.  Wmk Mult Crown and Block CA.

  G41. 4s sepia and turquoise
  G43. 9s yellow-orange and claret

  G45. 20s green and red-orange
  G46. 30s blue-black and bright yellow green
  G47. 40s blue-black and brick-red

  G48. 50s blue-black and light blue

​
Notes:
1. The numbering of the above series should be regarded as provisional, since the lack of official information and the shortage of dated examples makes it difficult to establish the sequence of these issues.  The dates given here for G1/38 are as suggested by Gibson, who suggests that G1/8 and G12/18 were issued simultaneously, and that later G21/28 were issued simultaneously with G32/38.
​Dated examples are known as follows:
- G34 (June 1970)
- G41 (1964)
- G45 (May 1964)
- G46 (January to March 1966)

​- G47 (April 1966)
​- G48 (May to June 1966)

​2. G1/18 are commonly found as mint stamps with remainder overprint MSA02.  I have not seen any examples of G12/18 without this overprint.
3. I have seen used examples of G2/6 and G8 which appear not to have the mauve background lines.  It is possible that the lines were printed in water-soluble ink.
4. The following proofs are held in the Crown Agents archive in the British Library:
  • Set of 8 values (4s to 50s) consisting of my G41, G45 and G48 plus five colour combinations unlisted by me – approved 24th October 1963
  • Sixteen frame-only colour trials dated July 1965, all rejected
  • New colours for 6s, 13s, 2s (new value) and 4s, approved on 21st October 1966, 1st September 1967, 27th August 1968 and 12th October 1970 respectively
  • Two further 1970 proofs for 4s values – both with orange frame but with value in either red or black, annotated Nairobi City and Treasury respectively
5. Gibson lists a 4s brown with mauve underprint plus the following values, none of which I have seen: 6s yellow and green, 9s red and black, 13s purple and green, 13s blue-grey and brown.  Hoffman illustrates a used 4s stamp, but he does not specify the colour.
6. G1/8 and G21/28 have a phosphor underprint reading FRAUD in letters 1mm high across whole surface of each stamp.
7. Plate numbers recorded:
- (G1/8): 4s Plate 1B-duty 3A-frame, 9s Plate 1-duty,
13s Plate 3A-frame, 20s Plate 3A-frame, 50s Plate 1-duty 3B-frame
- (G12/18): 9
s, 13s, 30s, 40s - all with Plate 1-duty 2B-frame

Further insight into understanding these issues would be welcome.


Hoffman illustrates an impressed stamp inscribed Graduated Personal Tax NCC (= Nairobi City Council), suggesting that this could be a proof of a new issue.  He lists values of 4s, 6s, 9s, 13s and 20s.  These are not known as issued stamps.

Hospital Tax
A tax on all Kenyans formally employed in the country to cover visits to public hospitals


Picture
H1

1966.  Small vertical key type inscribed KENYA HOSPITAL TAX.  19 x 22 mm.  Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson.

  H1. 20s red and black

Note: the proof in the Crown Agents archives was approved on 18th March 1966, and the stamp was presumably issued later that year.

 

Crown Agents proofs: H2/6, H8, H11/18 and H20 are currently known only from proofs in the Crown Agents archives in the British Library.  No issued examples of any of these issues have been recorded to date.  A proof of H9 and frame-only proofs for the 1975-78 issue exist in private hands and are illustrated above the relevant listings.

 


[no image available]
1967.  Similar to H1 but changed to horizontal format.  Inscribed KENYA HOSPITAL INSURANCE, with INSURANCE at foot of stamp below the value.

  [H2. 20s black and red]

Note: the proof in the Crown Agents archives was approved on 25th April 1967, and the stamp was presumably issued later that year.



 
Picture
H7 and H9
1968-74.  Similar to 1967 issue but slightly redrawn with INSURANCE above the value, and now showing a pair of dates eg 1970-71 to indicate validity.  22½ x 19 mm.  Perf 14 x 13½.  No watermark.  Printed by Bradbury Wilkinson.

  [H3. 20s deep green 1968-69]
  [H4. 20s deep blue 1969-70]
  [H5. 20s deep carmine 1970-71]
  [H6. 20s pale brown 1971-72]
  H7. 20s deep blue 1972-73
  [H8. 20s deep grey-green 1973-74]
  H9. 20s red-orange 1974-75

Notes:
1. The note above H2 applies to H3/6 and H8.
2. The proofs in the Crown Agents archives were approved on the following dates:
  • H3 – 30th April 1968
  • H4 – 3rd April 1969
  • H5 – no date specified
  • H6 – 20th May 1971
  • H7 – 2nd May 1972
  • H8 – 26th April 1973
  • H9 – 11th April 1974​ 

 
Picture
H11/14 frame proofs
1975-78.  As 1968-75 issue but with background slightly redrawn and printed by House of Questa.

   [H11. 20s orange-red 1975-76]
   [H12. 20s deep blue 1976-77]
   [H13. 20s orange-red 1977-78]
   [H14. 20s orange-red 1978-79]

Notes:
1. The note above H2 applies to this issue.
2. Frame-only proofs in orange-red and deep blue exist in private hands and are illustrated above.
3. The proofs in the Crown Agents archives were approved on the following dates:
  • H11 – 24th February 1976
  • H12 – 12th June 1976
  • H13 – 26th July 1977
  • H14 – 8th September 1978​ 

 

Picture
Hoffman illustrates another proof of a hospital revenue, this time with a coat of arms motif and inscribed KENYA NHIF.  The letter H (meaning uncertain) appears at lower left and the stamp is denominated 20 shillings.  No issued stamps in this design have been recorded.

 

[no image available]
1979.  New design featuring rosettes similar to H16 below but in small horizontal format (21 x 17.5mm).  Inscribed KENYA at top, HOSPITAL INSURANCE at sides.  Printed by House of Questa on fluorescent fibre paper.

   [H15. 20s black, green and blue 1979-80]

Notes:
1. The note above H2 applies to this issue.
2. The proof in the Crown Agents archives was approved on 28th June 1979.
Picture
H16 and H19
1980-84.  As H15 in similar design but now in larger horizontal format, with a different background pattern for each year.  Inscribed KENYA NATIONAL HOSPITAL INSURANCE FUND.  Printed by House of Questa.

  H16. 20s violet, brown and yellow-brown 1980-81
  [H17. 20s blue, bright green and pale yellow 1981-82]
  [H18. 20s purple, blue and pale yellow 1982-83]
  H19. 20s slate-blue, blue-green and yellow-green 1983-84
  [H20. 20s grey, blue and pale yellow 1984-85]

Notes:
1. H17/8 and H20 are currently known only from proofs in the Crown Agents archives in the British Library.  No issued examples of any of these issues have been recorded to date.
2. The proofs in the Crown Agents archives were approved on the following dates:
  • H16 – 13th February 1980
  • H17 – 31st December 1980
  • H18 – 8th February 1982
  • H19 – 14th December 1982
  • H20 – 22nd November 1983
3. The Crown Agents archives cease after this issue, and no proofs are held for issues inscribed 1985-86 onwards.  It is presumed that similar stamps were issued for 1985-86 and 1986-87, though it is not known whether these were similar in design to H16/20 or to H199/201.
Picture
H199 and H201
Picture
Similar 10s inscribed HCF (see note)
1987-90.  Shields.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14, with one wide perf in the middle of each horizontal row.  No watermark.  Cross in red.

  H199. 20s rose-pink and orange-brown 1987/88
  H201. 20s violet and orange-brown 1989/90


Note: illustrated above right is a 10s value in similar design but of uncertain status, which was first reported by Taddeo Papi in the June 2017 edition of The Revenue Journal.  It has no dates, and the letters HCF appear in the corners in place of NHIF.
Picture
H221/233
1990/91.  Mount Kenya.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14, with one wide perf in the middle of each horizontal row.  No watermark.  Cross in red, inscriptions in grey and black.

  H221. 40s pale blue
  H222. 60s yellow-brown
  H223. 80s pale rose
  H224. 100s pale grey
  H225. 120s green
  H226. 140s orange-yellow
  H227. 160s scarlet
  H228. 200s bright green
  H229. 220s slate-violet
  H230. 240s reddish purple
  H231. 260s purple-brown
  H232. 280s bright violet
  H233. 300s blue
Picture
H241/252
PictureH253
1991/92.  Mount Kenya.  As previous issue but dates changed.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14, with one wide perf in the middle of each horizontal row.  No watermark.  Cross in red, inscriptions in grey and black.

  H241. 30s scarlet
  H242. 40s deep pink
  H243. 60s greenish yellow
  H244. 80s olive-green
  H245. 100s pale blue
  H246. 140s pale grey-brown
  H247. 160s green
  H248. 200s pale greenish blue
  H249. 240s brown
  H250. 260s blue
  H251. 280s deep green
  H252. 300s pale yellow-brown
  H253. 320s lake

Picture
H261/275
1992/93.  Nyayo Monument, Nairobi.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14, with one wide perf in the middle of each horizontal row.  No watermark.  Cross in red, inscriptions in black.

  H261. 30s bronze-green
  H262. 40s pale blue
  H263. 80s brownish rose
  H264. 100s pale grey
  H265. 120s green
  H266. 140s orange-yellow
  H267. 160s rose-carmine
  H268. 180s pale blue
  H269. 200s bright green
  H270. 220s slate-violet

  H271. 240s lilac
  H272. 260s purple-brown
  H273. 280s violet
  H274. 300s ultramarine
  H275. 320s rose-lilac
Picture
H282/296
1993/94.  Similar to previous issue but with inscriptions rearranged.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14, with one wide perf in the middle of each horizontal row.  No watermark.  Cross in red, inscriptions in black.

  H282. 40s grey-blue
  H283. 60s sepia
  H284. 80s lilac-rose
  H285. 100s pale grey
  H286. 120s green
  H287. 140s brownish yellow
  H289. 180s turquoise-blue
  H290. 200s bright green
  H291. 220s deep violet
  H292. 240s purple
  H293. 260s slate-purple
  H294. 280s slate-violet
  H295. 300s deep blue
  H296. 320s lilac 
Picture
H301/316 (image taken from www.revenue-manstamps.co.uk website)
1994/95.  NHIF flag with Nyayo Monument, Nairobi.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14, with one wide perf in the middle of each horizontal row.  No watermark.  Cross in red, inscriptions in black.

  H301. 30s bronze-green
  H302. 40s grey-blue
  H303. 60s sepia
  H304. 80s lilac-rose
  H305. 100s pale grey
  H306. 120s green
  H307. 140s brownish yellow
  H308. 160s rose-carmine
  H309. 180s turquoise-blue
  H310. 200s bright green
  H311. 220s deep violet
  H312. 240s purple
  H313. 260s slate-purple
  H314. 280s slate-violet
  H315. 300s deep blue
  H316. 320s lilac
Picture
H321/336
1995/96.  Similar to previous issue but with inscriptions rearranged.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14, with one wide perf in the middle of each horizontal row.  No watermark.  Cross in red, inscriptions in black.

  H321. 30s bronze-green
  H322. 40s pale grey-blue
  H323. 60s brown
  H324. 80s brownish rose
  H325. 100s pale grey
  H326. 120s green
  H327. 140s olive-yellow
  H328. 160s claret
  H329. 180s pale blue
  H330. 200s bright green
  H331. 220s slate-violet
  H332. 240s reddish purple
  H333. 260s purple-brown
  H334. 280s violet
  H335. 300s ultramarine
  H336. 320s rose-lilac


Cylinder numbers recorded: 30s 1B1B1B1B, 40s 1B1B1B1B, 120s 1B1B1B1B, 180s 1A1A1A1A, 200s 1A1A1A1A, 220s 1B1B1B1B, 240s 1B1B1B1B. 
Picture
H342/356
1996/97.  Similar to previous issue but with inscriptions again rearranged.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14, with one wide perf in the middle of each horizontal row.  No watermark.  Cross in red, inscriptions in black.

  H342. 40s pale grey-blue
  H343. 60s olive-brown
  H344. 80s brownish rose
  H345. 100s pale grey
  H346. 120s green
  H347. 140s orange-yellow
  H348. 160s rose-carmine
  H349. 180s pale blue
  H350. 200s bright green
  H351. 220s deep violet
  H355. 300s ultramarine
  H356. 320s pale purple-brown


Cylinder numbers recorded: 40s 1A1A1A1A, 80s 1A1A1A1A, 160s 1A1A1A1A, 200s 1A1A1A1A, 220s 1A1A1A1A, 300s 1A1A1A1A.
Picture
H361/376
1997/98.  Similar to previous issue but with inscriptions again rearranged, and incorporating a security number at lower right.  34½ x 21 mm.  Perf 15 x 14 (all perfs normal).  No watermark.  Cross in red, inscriptions and serial number in black.

  H361. 30s bronze-green
  H363. 60s brown
  H364. 80s brownish rose
  H365. 100s pale grey
  H366. 120s green
  H367. 140s olive-yellow
  H368. 160s claret
  H369. 180s pale blue
  H370. 200s bright green
  H371. 220s slate-violet
  H373. 260s purple-brown
  H374. 280s violet
  H375. 300s ultramarine
  H376. 320s rose-lilac
Picture
H381/391
1998/99.  National flag and Uhuru Gardens Monument.  35½ x 21½ mm.  Roulette 13½.  No watermark.  Cross in blue, inscriptions and serial number (below centre) in black.

  H381. 30s pink
  H382. 80s purple-brown
  H383. 100s deep pink
  H384. 120s slate-violet
  H385. 140s bright green
  H386. 160s pale blue
  H387. 180s salmon
  H388. 200s yellow
  H389. 220s deep green
  H390. 280s olive
  H391. 320s bronze-green
Picture
H401/406
1999/2000.  National flag and Kenyatta National Hospital.  37½ x 23½ mm, with background extending into margins.  Perf 15 x 14.  No watermark.  Multicoloured, with cross in blue and serial number (below centre) in black.  Background colours given.

  H401. 40s pink
  H402. 60s pale yellow
  H403. 80s pale green
  H404. 120s brown-orange
  H405. 180s deep yellow
  H406. 300s pale violet
Picture
H421/432
2000/2001.  Proposed NHIF Headquarters building.  35½ x 21½ mm.  Perf 13½ (30s, 80s, 160s, 280s, 300s, 320s) or 13 (others).  No watermark.  Multicoloured, with cross in blue.  Serial number (at lower left) in black, beginning with two letters.  Background colours given.

  H421. 30s violet-grey
  H422. 40s green
  H423. 60s claret
  H424. 80s white
  H425. 100s pale green
  H426. 140s slate
  H427. 160s greyish purple
  H428. 180s brown
  H429. 260s salmon
  H430. 280s greenish yellow
  H431. 300s indigo
  H432. 320s bronze-green
Picture
H441/454
2001/2002.  As previous issue but dates changed, and no letters preceding serial number.  Perf 13.

  H441. 30s violet-grey
  H442. 40s green
  H443. 80s white
  H444. 100s pale green
  H445. 120s pale yellow
  H446. 140s slate
  H447. 160s greyish purple
  H448. 180s brown
  H449. 200s brick-red
  H450. 220s brown-orange
  H451. 240s violet
  H452. 260s salmon
  H453. 300s indigo
  H454. 320s bronze-green

Huduma (Services Charge)
Picture
C1/12
1995-96 (recorded usage).  Mount Kenya.  Inscribed HUDUMA / SERVICES CHARGE.  18½ x 21½ mm.  Perf 12.  No watermark.

   C1. 10s grey and pale blue
   C2. 20s grey and deep violet
   C3. 30s grey and grey-blue
   C4. 40s grey and deep ultramarine
   C5. 50s grey and carmine
   C6. 60s grey and red-brown
   C7. 70s grey and magenta
   C8. 100s grey and lake
   C9. 150s grey and brown
   C10. 200s grey and yellow-olive
   C11. 400s grey and emerald
   C12. 600s grey and claret

Notes:
1. The exact purpose of this issue is not clear, but may be related to an initiative to offer government services through local Huduma Centres similar to post offices.  As of October 2018 there are 52 such centres across the country, each offering a range of public services such as certification of births, driving licence applications and registration of business names.  The centres now in operation were established under a programme launched in 2013 and do not use adhesive stamps for payment, but it is possible that a similar scheme existed in the 1990s and that the stamps listed here as C1/12 were used in that context.
2. C1 and C9 are found on postal covers (where charges were incurred for unpaid postage) dated 1995-96, though the date of issue may have been some years earlier.

2. Most recorded examples are handstamped or overprinted with the digits 001, which probably indicates the post office in which the stamps were sold or used.

Impressed revenue stamps
Picture
Z1/20
1927-73 (recorded usage).  Lion and Mount Kenya in frames of different shapes, all 25 to 30 mm across.  All designs incorporate date plugs, with the year plug normally on the right.  The earliest recorded usage of each type is shown in brackets.  (Two essays are known dated 1933 - see below right.)

 

Picture
50c and 1s50c essays dated 1933
  Z1. 20c slate-blue (year plug at foot) (1945)
  Z2. 20c vermilion (year plug at right) (1950)
  Z3. 20c slate-blue (year plug at right) (Die A) (1953)
   a. No letter die (1954)
  Z6. 50c vermilion (1964)
  Z7. 1s vermilion (1927)
  Z8. 1s50c vermilion (year plug at foot) (1956)
  Z9. 1s50c vermilion (year plug at right) (1972)
  Z10. 2s vermilion (1973)
  Z12. 3s vermilion (1972)
  Z13. 4s vermilion (1964)
  Z14. 5s vermilion (1973)
  Z15. 10s vermilion (1964)
  Z16. £1 vermilion (1964)
  Z17. £3 vermilion (1972)
  Z18. £5 vermilion (1972)
  Z19. £10 vermilion (1973)
  Z20. £25 vermilion (1973)


Notes:
1. The two types of the 1s50c differ from each other in size, Z9 being slightly smaller than Z8.  The design of the later type is also coarser, with less detail visible on the lion and the mountains.  The 1s50c essay shown above right is a different type again, though this is not currently known as an issued stamp.
2. Barber illustrates proofs of a complete set of values including a 2s50c and £100, but I have not seen these two values as issued stamps.
3. Barber also lists a 30c value in both blue and red, but I have not seen these.

4. I have seen an example of the 20c vermilion with year plug at foot, used in 1954, but I am unable to illustrate this at present.

 

 

Picture
Registration of Domestic Servants essays
Illustrated here are proofs (ex De La Rue archive) for impressed stamps denominated 2s and 5s inscribed Registration of Domestic Servants.  It is not known when they were prepared, or whether they were ever issued.  No other examples have been recorded to date.

 

Picture
Z30/31
1955-69.  Receipt stamps used on cheques.

a) Rubber handstamped receipts reading DUTY PAID and value


   Z30. 10c purple (CENTS in capitals)
   Z31. 30c purple (CENTS in mixed case)


First recorded usage: 1955 (30c)


 

Picture
Z36
b) Imprinted double-ring oval reading KENYA DUTY PAID 30 Cents
(first recorded usage 1968)
  Z36. 30c black

Note: for an impressed stamp similar to Z36 but reading DUTY PAID (without KENYA), see Z16 of Tanganyika-Tanzania.

 


Picture
Z41/42
1973 (earliest recorded usage).  Square meter stamps reading KENYA REVENUE at top, value in centre, code letters and numbers at foot.

  Z41. [various values] red
  Z42. [various values] blue

Note: separate values are not listed since the use of printed meters allowed any value (presumably up to 99s99c) to be produced.


 
Picture
Z46/47 (Z47 illustration is black and white)
1998-99 (recorded usage).  Rectangular meter stamps reading KENYA REVENUE and either SHILLINGS or POUNDS at top, value in centre, code letters and numbers at foot.

  Z46. [various values] SHILLINGS red
  Z47. [various values] POUNDS red

Notes:
1. Separate values are not listed since the use of printed meters allowed any value to be produced.
2. The type inscribed POUNDS may have been an error for SHILLINGS since the pound (formerly worth 20 shillings) was not used in Kenya after Independence.


Judicial
Picture
J1/20
1928-30 (earliest and latest recorded usage).  King George V postage stamps inscribed Kenya and Uganda, overprinted Kenya Judicial.  Perf 14.  Watermark Multiple Script CA (sideways on shilling and pound values, with crown to the left of 'CA' when seen from the back of the stamp).  Overprinted locally by unknown printer.  Kenya in capitals on all values, Judicial in mixed case (cents values) or capitals (others).  (For similar stamps with slightly different overprints, see J21ff).

a) KENYA 12½ x 2 mm, Judicial 12 x 2 mm

  J1. 1c deep brown
  J2. 5c green
  J3. 15c rose-carmine
  J4. 20c bright orange
  J5. 30c ultramarine
  J6. 50c grey
  J7. 75c olive

b) KENYA 12½ x 2 mm, JUDICIAL 17½ x 2 mm, vertical spacing 14 mm between lines


Picture
Enlargement showing J12 (left) and J12a (right)
  J11. 1s green
  J12. 2s dull purple
   a. Thin letters
  J13. 3s brownish grey and jet-black
   a. Red overprint
  J14. 4s grey (wmk Crown to right of CA)
  J15. 5s carmine-red
  J16. 10s bright blue
  J17. £1 black and orange
  J18. £5 black and blue (wmk Crown to right of CA)
  J19. £10 black and green (wmk Crown to right of CA)
  J20. £50 black and brown

Notes:
1. J12a is very similar to J12, the overprint having the same overall dimensions but using thinner letters with less pronounced serifs (see enlarged illustration above right).
2. Koeppel additionally lists the 2s50c, 7s50c and £2 overprinted KENYA JUDICIAL, though he does not distinguish between the local overprint and the De La Rue type.  I have not seen any of these values with either type of overprint. 

 

Picture
J21/37
1928-30 (earliest and latest recorded usage).  As previous issue but overprinted in capitals by De La Rue in London.

a) KENYA 8½ x 1½ mm, JUDICIAL 9½ x 1½ mm


  J21. 1c deep brown
  J22. 5c green
  J23. 10c black (red)
  J24. 15c rose-carmine
  J26. 30c ultramarine


b) KENYA 12½ x 2 mm, JUDICIAL 16 x 2 mm, vertical spacing 16 mm between lines

  J32. 2s dull purple

  J33. 3s brownish grey (red)
  J34. 4s grey (red)
  J35. 5s carmine-red
  J36. 10s bright blue (red)
  J37. £1 black and orange


 

Picture
Note: illustrated at right (low-definition image – no other available) is a set consisting of all the values listed above (J21/37) plus the 20c, 50c, 75c and 1s, opt Specimen.  These last four values are not known as issued stamps and it is possible that they were not sent to the Colony, though the 50c and 1s are listed by Barefoot.  He also lists the £5, £10 and £50 with similar overprint, but I have only seen these values with the local overprint (see J1ff).


Kodi


Picture
K1
1936.  Large Nyasa key type featuring the portrait of King George V.  25½ x 30 mm.  Perf 14.  Watermark Multiple Script CA.  Printed (typo) by De La Rue.

  K1. 1s carmine and dull purple

The first printing of this stamp was despatched to Kenya in December 1935, so it presumed that it was issued in early 1936.  A reprint was sent to Kenya in May 1937.

 

Picture
K2 and K2a
1938.  Similar type but portrait changed to King George VI.  Perf 14.  Watermark Multiple Script CA.

  K2. 1s carmine and dull purple
   a. Perf 13. (1950)

The first perf 14 printing was despatched to Kenya in November 1937, so it presumed that it was issued in early 1938.  This was then reprinted in 1938, 1940 and 1946.  The perf 13 stamps were executed in one printing but sent to Kenya in two despatches in November 1949 and January 1950.  Shades of the perf 14 stamp are known.


 
Picture
K6/7
1954-59.  Similar type but portrait changed to Queen Elizabeth II.  Perf 13.  Watermark Multiple Script CA.

  K6. 2s deep green
  K7. 4s orange
  [K8. 5s blue (1959)]

The dates of issue are based on the Crown Agents requisition data.  The 5s is known from the archives but I have not seen an issued example.

Revenue

c1954.  Queen Elizabeth II first pictorial issue, overprinted KENYA REVENUE (KENYA 14½ x 3 mm, REVENUE 19 x 3 mm).  Perf 12½ x 13 (10c to 1s), perf 13 x 12½ (2s to 10s), perf 13½ x 13 (£1).  Watermark Multiple Script CA.
Picture
R1/7 including R1a and R5a (for image of R8 see below right)
a) Overprint horizontal, spacing between lines of overprint 9½ mm (10c to 1s), 11½ mm (2s and 5s), 10½ mm (10s), or 13½ mm (£1)


Picture
R8
  R1. 10c carmine-red
   a. 2 mm spacing between lines of overprint
  R2. 20c black and orange
  R3. 50c reddish purple
  R4. 1s black and claret
  R5. 2s black and green
   a. 3 mm spacing between lines of overprint
  R6. 5s black and orange
  R7. 10s black and deep ultramarine
  R8. £1 brown-red and black
 

Picture
R11/12, R12a, R13
b) Overprint sideways reading upwards, 9½ mm spacing between lines of overprint

  R11. 2s black and green
  R12. 5s black and orange
   a. Overprint reading downwards
  R13. 10s black and deep ultramarine

Note: Barefoot also lists the 10s with overprint reading downwards but I have not seen this.

 
Picture
R21/28 (for R29 see below right)
PictureR29 front and back showing Script watermark
1956-59.  Lion on white background.  18 x 23 mm (10c to 20s) or 26 x 30 mm (25s).  Perf 11½.  Watermark Multiple Script CA.  Printed (recess) by Bradbury Wilkinson.

  R21. 10c bright green
  R22. 20c purple
  R23. 50c olive-green
  R24. 1s brownish rose
  R25. 2s ultramarine
  R26. 5s orange
  R27. 10s greenish blue
  R28. 20s red-brown
  R29. 25s brown (1959)

Note: 
The proofs for the 10c to 20s were approved on 19th January 1956, and it is assumed that the stamps were issued later that year.  The proof of the 25s was approved as a new value on 18th September 1959, so the stamp probably came into use later that year or early in 1960.

 

Picture
Top row: R31/35, R38; Middle row: R31a, R31b, R34b, R36a; Bottom row: R39a, R39b
Picture10s with faint or no wmk (see note)
c1963.  As previous issue but watermark changed to Multiple Crown and Block CA.

  R31. 10c bright green

   a. Watermark sideways (CA reading downwards)
   b. Watermark sideways (CA reading upwards)
  R32. 20c purple
  R33. 50c olive-green
  R34. 1s brownish rose

   b. Watermark sideways (CA reading upwards)
  R35. 2s ultramarine
  R36a. 5s orange (wmk sideways
, CA reading downwards)
  R38. 20s red-brown
  R39a. 25s brown (wmk sideways, CA reading downwards)
   b. Deep brown, wmk sideways (CA reading upwards)
 
Note: Barefoot also lists the 10s on Block CA paper.  Illustrated above right is an example of the 10s in a brighter shade than R27 and with what seems to be a very faint watermark.  This may be Block CA but it is too faint to identify.
 

 

Picture
R41
1977.  As previous issue but design reduced to 17½ x 21 mm.  Perf 14.  No watermark.  Printed (recess) by Walsall Security Press.

  R41. 10c bright green

Notes:
1. The proof in the Crown Agents archive in the British Library was approved on 14th November 1977, and it is assumed that the stamps were issued before the end of that year.
2. Barefoot also lists the 20c, 50c, 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s from this printing, but I doubt these could exist since the 10c is the only value known to have been proofed by Walsall.


 

Picture
R51, R54, R56/57
1981 (earliest recorded usage).  Heraldic lion on coloured background.  17 x 19½ mm.  Perf 14.  No watermark.  Printed by Walsall Security Press.

  R51. 10c green
  [R52. 20c purple]
  [R53. 50c black]
  R54. 1s scarlet
  [R55. 2s violet]
  R56. 5s orange
  R57. 10s blue
  [R58. 20s pale olive]
  [R59. 25s brown]


Notes:
1. Proofs of all the above values except the 20s were approved on 5th December 1979.  The 20s in pale olive was approved on 19th December 1979, the original proposed colour of yellow having been rejected.  Barefoot lists all these extra values except the 25s, though I have not seen any of them as issued stamps.  He also lists a 10c red but I believe this is an error.
2. The 10c is known postally used.

 
Picture
R61/68
PictureR61 and R64 showing Walsall logo in margin
1985 (earliest recorded usage).  Similar format but featuring naturalistic lion.  16½ x 20½ mm.  Perf 14.  No watermark.  Printed by Walsall Security Press.

  R61. 10c green
  R62. 20c magenta
  R64. 1s red
  R65. 2s slate-violet
  R66. 5s orange
  R67. 10s blue
  R68. 20s yellow

Note: the 1s is known postally used.

 

Picture
R72/79
PictureR77 with printer's imprint
1995 (earliest recorded usage).  As previous issue but change to perf 15 x 14 and slightly larger (17 x 21 mm).  Printed by BDT International Security Printing Ltd, Dublin.

  R72. 20c bright magenta
  R73. 50c grey-black
  R74. 1s rose-red
  R75. 2s deep violet

  R76. 5s orange
  R77. 10s blue
  R79. 25s brown

Note: the earliest recorded usage of this issue is the 10s on a postal cover which arrived in the UK on 28th July 1995.  The revenue adhesive was rejected and a surcharge applied.

 

Picture
R85/90
PictureR89 with sheet number prefixed E
2001 (earliest recorded usage).  Perforation again changed to perf 13 x 13½.  16½ x 20½ mm.  Screened background.

  R85. 2s deep violet
  R86. 5s orange
  R87. 10s blue

  R88. 20s yellow
  R89. 25s brown
  R90. 100s claret

Notes:
1. The sheet number is prefixed by a letter in the upper sheet margin above the third stamp from the right.  This is A on the 2s, C on the 10s, D on the 20s, E on the 25s, F on the 100s, and presumably (
though I have not seen this) B on the 5s.
2. The 10s, 20s and 25s were first recorded in 2010, when they were available at the Kenya Revenue Authority in Nairobi, but they must have been issued some years earlier.  The 
20s was still in stock at the KRA in October 2018, suggesting that this value was not reprinted in redrawn types as R95 or R105/110.

 

Picture
R95
2007 (earliest recorded usage).  Design slightly redrawn,
​with KENYA larger and lion heavier with less definition.
Perforation again changed to perf 13 x 12½.  No watermark.

  R95. 2s deep violet






Picture
R105/110
c2007-10.  Design significantly redrawn, with thinner lettering and lion now rather impressionistic, the R of REVENUE level with the top of KENYA.  Narrow format (15½ x 20½ mm).  Perf 12½ x 13½.  No watermark.  Fluorescent security underprint KRA (= Kenya Revenue Authority) just above EN of KENYA.

  R105. 2s claret
  R106. 5s red-orange
  R110. 100s rose


Notes:
1. The 2s value was first recorded around the year 2007.  All three values were available at the Kenya Revenue Authority in Nairobi in 2010, but in October 2018 the KRA had only the 2s value in stock along with the 20s of the 2001 issue (R88).  This may suggest a phasing-out of adhesive revenue stamps, especially for high-value transactions.

​2. All the sheet numbers I have seen (for all three values) are prefixed by the letters AA.
3. R105 can be found in a range of shades and with different types of gum from matt to glossy.

Previous page: East Africa and Uganda - Kenya and Uganda - KUT
Next page: Somaliland Protectorate
Back to East Africa main menu
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.