Register a Company in Kenya — Done Right, Done Fast
We provide company registration services in Kenya for locals and foreign founders: BRS/eCitizen filing, corporate KRA PIN, CR12 extraction, and practical support for corporate bank onboarding and compliance setup.
Typical timelines: Incorporation 3–10 business days (documents complete). Full readiness 1–4 weeks incl. PIN + banking (bank KYC dependent).
Packages (Service Fees)
| Basic Incorporation only |
KES 15,000+ + Govt fees |
| Standard Basic + KRA PIN + CR12 |
KES 35,000+ + Govt fees |
| Premium Standard + banking/KYC support |
KES 80,000+ + Govt fees |
Government fees are paid on the portal and vary by entity/filings.
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Company registration in Kenya: key facts
- Private Limited Company: Most common structure for investors (limited liability + credibility).
- Typical incorporation timeframe: 3–10 business days (documents complete).
- Operational readiness: 1–4 weeks including KRA PIN + banking (varies by bank/KYC).
- Government fees: Confirm on the portal / BRS fee schedule (entity and filings vary).
Official reference: BRS Fee Schedule – Companies Registry
Where to Register a Company in Kenya
You register a company in Kenya online through eCitizen under the Business Registration Service (BRS) (Companies Registry). The application covers name selection and incorporation in one workflow, then you pay the statutory fees on the portal.
Tip: If you’re registering as a foreign founder, prepare certified passport copies and proof of address early for banking/KYC.
Requirements for Registering a Limited Company in Kenya (2026)
The company registration requirements in Kenya depend on the entity type, but for a standard private limited company, you’ll mainly need: a unique name (via BRS on eCitizen), director/shareholder details, a Kenyan registered office address, and beneficial ownership (BO) disclosures (commonly 10%+).
1) Company name reservation (BRS eCitizen)
- Submit at least 3 preferred names (up to 5 is commonly allowed on the portal) for review and approval through the Business Registration Service (BRS) on eCitizen.
2) Directors & shareholders details
Minimum of one director and one shareholder (they can be the same person). A director must be a natural person (18+). For each director/shareholder, prepare:
| Requirement | Typical detail (what to prepare) |
|---|---|
| Director(s) | Full name, contacts, address, ID/Passport, KRA PIN, residential address (for CR8) |
| Shareholder(s) | Full name/company name, contacts, address, ID/Passport, KRA PIN, share allocation |
| Passport-sized photo | Keep a recent photo available (the portal/filing may request it depending on the application type) |
| Share capital | No universal statutory minimum for private companies; choose a practical amount for banking, credibility, and operations |
3) Foreign directors / shareholders (extra practical requirements)
- Passport copy and personal details for each foreign director/shareholder.
- KRA PIN is commonly required for filings and downstream compliance (plan for this early).
- A local physical + postal address for the company (Kenyan registered office) is required.
4) Registered office in Kenya
Provide a Kenyan registered office with enough detail to be verifiable (e.g., building/plot, street/road, town/city) plus a postal address. This is part of the baseline compliance footprint for companies.
5) Beneficial ownership (BO) information (10%+)
You must disclose beneficial owners—typically natural persons who, directly or indirectly: hold at least 10% of shares or 10% of voting rights, or who otherwise exercise significant control.
6) Company secretary (when required)
- Public companies: must appoint a qualified company secretary.
- Private companies: generally required to appoint a company secretary if the company’s share capital is KES 5,000,000 or more.
7) Foreign company (branch) note: local representative requirement
If you are registering a foreign company branch (not a Kenyan-incorporated subsidiary), the Companies Act framework requires the foreign company to have at least one local representative in Kenya for compliance purposes.
Required documents (common BRS Companies Registry forms)
- Form CR1: Application for registration
- Form CR2: Model Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Form CR8: Notice of residential address of directors
- Beneficial Ownership (BO) info: details of individuals meeting the BO threshold (commonly 10%+)
Types of Company Registration in Kenya (Which one fits you?)
- Private Limited Company (Ltd) — best for most SMEs and foreign investors.
- Public Company (PLC) — larger enterprises and public fundraising.
- Company Limited by Guarantee — common for non-profit structures.
- Foreign Company / Branch — extension of a foreign parent.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) — partnership flexibility with limited liability features.
- Business Name / Sole Proprietorship — simpler, but personal liability is not limited.
Steps to Register a Company in Kenya (BRS/eCitizen Process)
Step 1 — Plan your structure and banking readiness
Decide the shareholding, directors/signatories, share capital, and prepare KYC early (proof of address, source of funds, certified IDs for foreign directors, etc.). This reduces bank back-and-forth after incorporation.
Step 2 — Start the company registration application on BRS/eCitizen (names + registration in one workflow)
On BRS/eCitizen, the name selection and the company registration application run as one merged process. You submit three preferred company names together with the full incorporation details in the same application. If the first name is rejected, the registrar reviews the next option(s).
Step 3 — Generate, sign, and upload incorporation documents (system forms)
- CR1 — Application for registration
- CR2 — Memorandum for companies with share capital
- CR8 — Directors’ addresses
- Statement of nominal/share capital (where prompted)
- Beneficial ownership details (as required)
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (or the portal-generated equivalents)
Ensure names, ID numbers, addresses, and shareholding percentages match across every document.
Step 4 — Submit and pay statutory fees (then track status)
Upload the signed documents and pay the applicable Companies Registry fee. For a Private Limited Company, the published BRS fee is commonly KSh 10,650 with an official processing estimate of 3–5 days (timelines can vary with queue and verification).
Step 5 — Receive outputs (then request extracts if your bank asks)
After approval, download your Certificate of Incorporation. If your bank/partners request registry extracts (e.g., CR12), apply for the extract after incorporation and keep the payment receipts for compliance records.
What Is the Cost of Registering a Company in Kenya?
The government fee for registering a private limited company is commonly referenced at around KES 10,650 on the BRS Companies Registry fee schedule (confirm on eCitizen/BRS as fees can vary by filing). Your total cost may also include professional service fees if you use an agent, plus downstream costs like KRA PIN, CR12, and banking/KYC support.
Official reference: BRS Fee Schedule – Companies Registry
Documents checklist (incorporation + banking)
Incorporation checklist
- 2–3 proposed company names
- Director/shareholder IDs or passports + passport photos
- Shareholding structure and director details
- Registered office (physical + postal) address
- Signed incorporation forms (CR1/CR2/CR8 as applicable)
- Beneficial ownership details where required
- For corporate shareholders: parent company docs + ownership evidence (certified where needed)
Bank account opening (typical)
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Corporate KRA PIN
- CR12 / registry extract (where applicable)
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution authorizing account opening and signatories
- IDs/passports + proof of address for signatories (certified/notarised if needed)
Company Registration in Kenya for Foreign Investors
We support foreign founders with structure planning, beneficial ownership compliance, and a practical banking/KYC pack (certified passports, proof of address, source-of-funds narrative where needed).
- Ownership: foreigners can own 100% in most sectors (regulated sectors may have restrictions).
- Remote setup: we can register using eCitizen/BRS with scanned + certified documents.
- Banking: we prepare board resolution templates + signatory/KYC checklist to reduce delays.
KRA PIN registration (Corporate Tax ID) — iTax
A corporate KRA PIN is mandatory for lawful operation, tax compliance and corporate banking. Official reference: KRA PIN Registration (Companies/Partnerships).
Corporate bank account opening in Kenya
Typical bank onboarding is 3–10 working days, subject to AML/KYC checks and document completeness.
Post-registration compliance
- County business permit (annual renewal)
- NSSF registration (where applicable)
- SHA/NHIF compliance (where applicable)
- PAYE/VAT registrations where required
- Annual returns with BRS + tax filings with KRA
- Sector licences (imports/exports, construction, education, health, etc.)
Common pitfalls (and how we prevent delays)
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Inconsistent director/shareholder details | Match names, passport/ID numbers and addresses across all forms/attachments. |
| Low-quality scans or missing certifications | Use clear scans; certify/notarise passports where required by banks/KYC. |
| Beneficial ownership gaps | Collect BO details early and keep proof of ownership ready. |
| Bank onboarding delays | Prepare board resolutions, proof of address, and source-of-funds documentation in advance. |
FAQs
How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya?
The cost of company registration in Kenya is KES 10,650. The fees depend on entity and filings—confirm on BRS/eCitizen. Our service packages start from KES 15,000 (service fee) plus statutory fees.
How long does company registration in Kenya take?
3–5 business days for incorporation with complete documents. Full readiness (PIN + banking) often takes 1–4 weeks depending on bank KYC.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Kenyan company?
Yes, in most sectors. Restrictions may apply in regulated industries.
What documents are needed to open a corporate bank account?
Typically: Certificate, corporate PIN, CR12/registry extract, Memorandum & Articles, board resolution, IDs/passports + proof of address.
Ready to Register Your Company?
Call: +254 700 176 096 | Email: info@bieastafrica.com
Office: Kose Heights, Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi.
Service area: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and nationwide (remote onboarding supported).