START A COMPANY / AFRICA
How to register a company in Kenya
Register online with the Business Registration Service on eCitizen: reserve a name, file the incorporation documents with director and shareholder details, pay KES 10,650, get the certificate. Then get a KRA PIN and file beneficial ownership details.
- REGISTRY
- Business Registration Service (BRS), via eCitizen
- ONLINE
- Fully online
- FROM
- KES 1,000 (≈ £6)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Yes. Foreigners can be shareholders and directors; at least one director must be a natural person (not necessarily Kenyan). You need ID or passport, a Kenyan registered address and a KRA PIN. A work permit is needed to work in Kenya; foreign investors may also hold a KenInvest certificate.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
Ltd: Private Limited Company
Most local and foreign-owned businesses wanting limited liability and credibility.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 shareholder and 1 director (at least one natural person)
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 3 to 7 working days
Steps
Create an eCitizen account and log in to BRS.
Search and reserve the company name.
Select the company type and enter shareholders, directors and share details.
Provide a Kenyan registered address and, if required, a company secretary.
Upload KRA PINs, IDs or passports and signed forms.
Pay the BRS fee through eCitizen (M-Pesa or card).
Receive certificate of incorporation and CR12 once approved.
Get the company KRA PIN and open a bank account.
Documents
- ID or passport of shareholders and directors
- KRA PIN of each Kenyan party (foreign persons may need a PIN)
- Passport photos
- Registered address and P.O. box
- Memorandum and articles (model articles allowed)
Official fees
BRS fee KES 10,650 (some guides still show KES 10,750); name reservation KES 150; check the eCitizen invoice. Stamp duty on shares extra.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | KES 11,000≈ £63 | DIY: BRS incorporation and name reservation fees, about |
| With an accountant or agent | KES 30,000≈ £170 | About: with an agent or accountant, including KRA PIN |
| Full service | KES 100,000≈ £570 | About: law firm, registered address, secretary, bank help |
Every year
- File annual returns with BRS
- File beneficial ownership information with BRS
- KRA income tax returns, annual
- Monthly VAT and PAYE returns
- County business permit renewal
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: fee details from secondary sources; confirm on eCitizen.
SOLE TRADER
Business Name: Registered Business Name (sole proprietor or partnership)
Freelancers and small traders wanting a quick, low-cost registration.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 proprietor (Kenyan citizen or resident; foreigners need a permit)
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1 to 3 working days
Steps
Create an eCitizen account and open BRS.
Search and reserve a business name.
Enter proprietor details and the nature of business.
Upload ID and KRA PIN.
Pay the fee on eCitizen.
Receive the registration certificate.
Get a KRA PIN for the business if needed, and a county business permit.
Documents
- National ID or passport
- KRA PIN
- Business address
Official fees
KES 950 registration (including name reservation); county permit extra.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | KES 1,000≈ £6 | DIY: BRS fee, about |
| With an accountant or agent | KES 5,000≈ £29 | About: via an agent with KRA PIN |
| Full service | KES 15,000≈ £86 | About: agent, county permit and bank help |
Every year
- Annual return to BRS
- KRA income tax return
- County permit renewal
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: not suitable where you want limited liability.
BRANCH OF A FOREIGN COMPANY
Foreign company branch: Foreign Company (registered under Part XVIII of the Companies Act, 2015)
A foreign company with an existing business that wants to trade in Kenya without a subsidiary.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- Foreign parent and a Kenyan-resident representative
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 2 to 4 weeks
Steps
Certify parent incorporation documents in the home country.
Apostille or legalise them and translate if needed.
Reserve the name with BRS.
File the foreign company registration with the list of directors and local agent.
Pay the BRS fee on eCitizen.
Receive the certificate.
Get a KRA PIN and open a bank account.
Documents
- Parent certificate of incorporation (certified)
- Parent constitution
- Directors list
- Local agent's details and address
Official fees
BRS fee about KES 10,000 to 15,000 (unverified).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | KES 12,000≈ £69 | DIY: BRS fee, about |
| With an accountant or agent | KES 50,000≈ £290 | About: law firm and document certification |
| Full service | KES 150,000≈ £860 | About: lawyer, address and bank help |
Every year
- Annual returns
- Tax returns on Kenyan income
- Filing audited accounts
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: branch profits taxed at a higher rate (about 37.5%) than company profits (30%).
After you register
- Get the company KRA PIN on iTax; corporate tax is 30% (resident), file annual returns.
- Register for VAT (16%) if turnover exceeds KES 5 million; file monthly.
- Register for PAYE, NSSF, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Affordable Housing Levy for staff.
- File beneficial ownership information with BRS (within 14 days of incorporation).
- Obtain a county single business permit and any sector licence.
- Open a corporate bank account (needs certificate, CR12, PINs and IDs).
- Foreign directors who work in Kenya need a work permit (Immigration).
Sources
Checked against:
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Africa
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.