How much does it cost, how long does it take, and what do you need?
For most founders, the right structure is a Private Limited Company. As of 2026, the BRS fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for a private limited company, while the BRS FAQ flow mentions KES 10,750. Because of that mismatch, the safest wording is simple: the eCitizen/BRS portal invoice is final at the time of payment.
On timing, BRS publishes 3–5 days for a private limited company where the application is complete. In practice, many founders should budget extra time for corporate KRA PIN registration, CR12 or official search if needed, and bank onboarding.
Quick answer
- Official registration fee: BRS schedule shows KES 10,650 for a private limited company.
- Published registration time: 3–5 days where the application is complete.
- Main forms: CR1, CR2, CR8 and statement of nominal capital.
- Name entry on portal: usually 3–5 proposed names in order of priority.
- Post-registration step: corporate KRA PIN on iTax, then bank onboarding.
Last reviewed: 9 March 2026
Use the portal invoice as the final payable amount.
Cost
BRS fee schedule amount for a private limited company. The portal invoice is final.
Timeline
BRS published processing time for a private limited company if the filing is complete.
Requirements
Proposed names, director/shareholder details, CR forms, registered office and beneficial ownership details.
*BRS FAQ guidance also mentions KES 10,750 during the private limited company flow. Always rely on the final portal invoice.
Cost of company registration in Kenya (2026)
The official BRS fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for registering a Private Limited Company. However, because official BRS materials do not always display the same number in every place, founders should use this wording on the page: the portal invoice is final—confirm on eCitizen/BRS before payment.
| Item | Amount / note | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Private limited company registration | KES 10,650 on BRS fee schedule | Main statutory incorporation fee listed by BRS. |
| Portal invoice | Final amount payable | Always use the invoice generated on eCitizen/BRS at the time of payment. |
| CR12 / official search | Often needed later | Useful for banks, investors, due diligence, and some compliance checks. |
| KRA PIN registration | Post-incorporation step | Needed before many practical business transactions and tax setup steps. |
| Foreign founder certification / notarisation | Varies | May affect the practical total cost where foreign directors or shareholders are involved. |
| Professional service fees | Varies by provider | Separate from statutory fees. |
Budgeting tip: the statutory registration fee is not always the full setup cost. Many founders also need post-registration support such as KRA PIN, CR12, shareholder resolutions, certified documents, or bank KYC guidance.
Timeline for company registration in Kenya
BRS publishes a 3–5 day processing timeline for a private limited company. That is the incorporation stage only. In real life, the total time to become operational may be longer if you still need a corporate KRA PIN, an official search / CR12, internal resolutions, or a bank account opening pack.
| Stage | Typical timing | What affects delays |
|---|---|---|
| Portal preparation | Same day to a few days | How quickly you gather names, director details, photos and signed forms. |
| BRS incorporation review | 3–5 days | Completeness of filing, scan quality, consistent details and portal workload. |
| Corporate KRA PIN | Usually after incorporation | Director PIN readiness, document accuracy and iTax processing. |
| Bank account opening | Several working days to a few weeks | KYC/AML checks, foreign signatories, proof of address, source-of-funds review and board resolutions. |
Practical planning rule: if you need the company to start transacting immediately, do not only plan for the certificate of incorporation. Plan for the full chain: incorporation, KRA PIN, then banking.
Requirements for company registration in Kenya
For a standard private limited company, you usually need 3–5 proposed names, director and shareholder details, recent passport photos, a Kenyan registered office, the required BRS forms, and beneficial ownership information.
Quick links: Cost · Timeline · Process · Checklist
Core requirements
- Proposed company names: usually 3–5 names in order of priority.
- At least one director: with complete identification details.
- At least one shareholder: may be the same person as the director.
- Registered office in Kenya: physical and postal address.
- Portal-generated forms: CR1, CR2, CR8 and statement of nominal capital.
- Recent coloured passport photographs: commonly required during the application flow.
- Beneficial ownership details: especially where the 10% threshold or control rights are triggered.
- iTax readiness: directors/shareholders may need to be ready for post-incorporation tax setup.
Beneficial ownership: the 10% rule
Kenyan beneficial ownership rules commonly capture a natural person who directly or indirectly: holds at least 10% of issued shares, exercises at least 10% of voting rights, has the right to appoint or remove a director, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control.
Foreign founder notes
- Foreign directors or shareholders often face extra bank KYC scrutiny after incorporation.
- Certified passport copies and proof of address may be requested by banks.
- Where corporate shareholders are involved, a simple ownership chart helps reduce delays.
Documents needed to register a company in Kenya
Usually: 3–5 proposed names, ID or passport details for directors and shareholders, recent passport photos, registered office details, signed CR1/CR2/CR8 forms, nominal capital information, and beneficial ownership details where applicable.
What do CR1, CR2 and CR8 mean?
- CR1: application to register a company
- CR2: model memorandum for a company with share capital
- CR8: notice of residential address of director
Can one person register a company in Kenya?
For a private limited company, one person can usually act as both the sole shareholder and the sole director, provided the filing is otherwise complete and lawful.
Step-by-step: how to register a company in Kenya on eCitizen (BRS)
Step 1 — Prepare the company details
Decide the company name options, directors, shareholders, shareholding percentages, registered office, and beneficial ownership details before you touch the portal.
Step 2 — Start the BRS application
Log into eCitizen, select private limited company, and enter 3–5 proposed names in order of priority.
Step 3 — Add directors, shareholders and upload photos
Complete the general company details, add the officials, upload recent passport photos where prompted, and make sure the spellings and ID/passport numbers are consistent throughout.
Step 4 — Generate, sign and re-upload the forms
Download the portal-generated documents, sign them, scan them clearly, and upload them back to the system. Poor scans and inconsistent details are classic little bureaucratic landmines.
Step 5 — Pay and submit
Review the application carefully, pay the final portal invoice, and submit for review.
Step 6 — Download the certificate and continue with tax and banking
Once approved, download the Certificate of Incorporation, then proceed to corporate KRA PIN registration and prepare the bank account opening pack.
Documents checklist
Incorporation checklist
- 3–5 proposed company names
- Director and shareholder ID or passport details
- Recent passport photos
- Registered office address in Kenya
- Shareholding percentages and nominal capital decision
- Signed CR1, CR2, CR8 and statement of nominal capital
- Beneficial ownership details and supporting ownership information where applicable
Bank-ready checklist after incorporation
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Corporate KRA PIN certificate
- CR12 or official search where required
- Constitutive documents / portal outputs
- Board resolution for account opening and signatories
- ID/passport and proof of address for signatories
- Source-of-funds narrative where requested
Corporate KRA PIN registration after incorporation
After the company is incorporated, the next practical step is often the corporate KRA PIN. KRA states that PIN registration for companies and partnerships is initiated online through iTax.
- Visit iTax
- Select New PIN Registration
- Complete the online form
- Upload the required documents and director details
- Submit and keep the acknowledgment receipt
Do not delay this step if you need to open a bank account, invoice properly, or complete statutory setup work soon after incorporation.
Corporate bank account opening in Kenya: what slows it down
The certificate of incorporation is not the finish line. Banks often want a fuller KYC pack, especially where there are foreign directors, corporate shareholders, or high-risk business activities.
- Incomplete proof of address for signatories
- Missing board resolution for account opening
- No CR12 where the bank prefers one
- Weak explanation of shareholding or source of funds
- Uncertified foreign documents where certification is expected
Common mistakes that delay company registration
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Different spellings or numbers across forms | Match all names, ID numbers, passport numbers and addresses before upload. |
| Weak scans or unsigned documents | Use clear PDF scans and confirm every signature requirement before submission. |
| Treating the certificate as the final step | Plan the KRA PIN and bank onboarding immediately after incorporation. |
| Ignoring beneficial ownership disclosure | Collect BO information early, especially where shareholding is layered or corporate. |
| Budgeting only for the statutory filing fee | Separate statutory cost from professional fees, certification costs and post-incorporation items. |
FAQs
How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya?
The BRS fee schedule shows KES 10,650 for a private limited company, but the final amount to trust is the eCitizen/BRS portal invoice generated at the time of payment.
How long does company registration take in Kenya?
BRS publishes 3–5 days for a private limited company where the application is complete. Practical readiness may take longer if you still need a corporate KRA PIN and bank onboarding.
What are the requirements for company registration in Kenya?
Common requirements include proposed names, director and shareholder details, recent passport photos, a Kenyan registered office, CR1/CR2/CR8 forms, nominal capital details, and beneficial ownership information where applicable.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Kenyan company?
In many sectors, yes. But regulated sectors may have separate licensing or ownership rules, so those should be checked before filing.
What is the beneficial ownership threshold in Kenya?
The common BO threshold is 10% of issued shares or voting rights, but it also includes appointment/removal rights and significant influence or control.
Need help with the filing?
We assist founders and investors with company registration in Kenya, including BRS filing support, beneficial ownership guidance, KRA PIN follow-through, CR12 support, and bank-ready documentation planning.
Call: +254 700 176 096 | Email: info@bieastafrica.com
Office: Kose Heights, Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya.