Stock take
Counting what is physically present and comparing it against what the records say should be there.
Also called
You will also see this written as stock count and physical count. Kenyan businesses use these interchangeably in conversation even where the underlying things differ, which is worth knowing when someone tells you what you need.
Where you meet this
A stock take compares what is physically there against what the records say should be there. Done without a recorded expectation it produces a number and no information. Done at shift boundaries rather than monthly, it tells you not just that something is missing but roughly when it went.
What it sits alongside
In Kenyan business records stock take sits alongside Shrinkage and Inventory. The pages for each explain how they connect.
Related terms
Common questions
What does Stock take mean in Kenya?
Counting what is physically present and comparing it against what the records say should be there.
Is Stock take the same as stock count?
In everyday use Kenyan businesses treat these as the same thing. Counting what is physically present and comparing it against what the records say should be there.
How do I know this information is current?
Tax rules in Kenya change with each Finance Act and with regulations made during the year. Before acting on any figure, deadline or threshold, check the current position on KRA's own website.
Sources
- officialKenya Revenue Authority — Kenya Revenue Authority, checked 2026-09-18