Information date: 25 June 2026. Government fees, portal wording and documentary requirements can change. Always confirm the live eCitizen/BRS invoice and current portal prompts at the time of filing.
Quick Answers
Company registration in Kenya is done online through eCitizen / Business Registration Service (BRS). The BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for private limited company registration, the lodged documents as CR1, CR2, CR8 and Statement of Nominal Capital, and the processing time as 3–5 days for a complete filing.
Company registration quick answer summary
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | KES 10,650 official BRS fee for a private limited company. |
| How long does it take? | 3–5 days for a complete private limited company filing. |
| Where is it done? | Online through eCitizen / Business Registration Service (BRS). |
| What documents are used? | CR1, CR2, CR8, Statement of Nominal Capital and beneficial ownership details / BOF1 where generated. |
| Is KRA PIN included? | No. Company KRA PIN is a post-registration iTax step and may require director PINs and supporting documents. |
Cost
KES 10,650 official BRS fee
This is the official private limited company filing fee. Professional support and post-registration setup are separate.
Requirements
Names, owners, office and forms
Prepare proposed company names, business activity, directors, shareholders, beneficial owners, registered office and signed BRS forms.
How to register
Apply through eCitizen/BRS
Complete the online filing, sign and upload generated forms, pay the invoice and respond to any Registrar query.
Duration
3–5 days for complete filings
Allow extra time for KRA PIN, CR12, bank account opening, permits, licences or foreign investor planning.
This guide is focused on company registration in Kenya, especially the cost, requirements, eCitizen/BRS procedure, registration duration and post-registration next steps. Related issues such as foreign branch registration, investor permits, trademarks and employer compliance are linked only where they help the user decide the correct route.
Requirements for Company Registration in Kenya
The main requirements for company registration in Kenya are proposed company names, business activity, registered office, director and shareholder details, share capital, share allocation, beneficial ownership information and signed BRS-generated forms.
Documents required for company registration in Kenya
| Document / detail | Required for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Proposed company names | All companies | Prepare three preferred names in order of priority to reduce name rejection risk. |
| CR1 | Private limited company | Generated by BRS as part of the incorporation filing. |
| CR2 | Private limited company | Memorandum / company formation document generated through the BRS process. |
| CR8 | Directors | Residential address details for directors. |
| Statement of Nominal Capital | Companies with shares | Shows share capital, share value and share structure. |
| BOF1 / beneficial ownership details | Beneficial ownership | Required where generated or requested by the BRS filing flow. |
| ID / passport | Directors and shareholders | Names and identification details should match official records. |
| KRA PIN | Kenyan directors/shareholders and where requested | Foreigners may need separate tax and PIN planning depending on the structure and post-registration steps. |
Core requirements checklist
- Three to five proposed company names, arranged in order of preference.
- Business activity / nature of business.
- Registered office address in Kenya.
- Postal address, email address and phone contacts.
- Director details, including ID or passport details.
- Shareholder details and shareholding percentages.
- KRA PIN details where applicable or where the portal requires them.
- Recent passport photograph where prompted.
- Nominal share capital and share value.
- Beneficial ownership information and ownership chain where applicable.
- Signed CR1, CR2, CR8 and Statement of Nominal Capital forms generated by BRS.
- BOF1 / beneficial ownership form where generated by the application flow.
Details required before filing
Requirements for local and foreign founders
| Founder type | What to prepare | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Kenyan individual founder | National ID details, KRA PIN details where applicable, address, contacts, share allocation and signed forms. | Confirm details match official records before filing. |
| Foreign individual founder | Passport details, contacts, foreign/local address planning, share allocation and banking KYC documents. | Immigration status is separate if the foreign founder will work or reside in Kenya. |
| Foreign corporate shareholder | Foreign company documents, board authority, ownership chart and ultimate beneficial owner details. | Banking, certification/notarisation and tax planning should be reviewed early. |
| Regulated-sector business | Business activity, ownership structure and sector licence requirements. | Telecoms, finance, health, education, construction, food, tourism and similar sectors may need additional approvals. |
Talk to us before filing if your ownership is foreign, regulated or multi-shareholder
We can review the proposed structure, ownership chain, director/shareholder details and post-registration requirements before you submit to BRS.
Call/WhatsApp: +254 700 176 096
Email: info@bieastafrica.com
How to Register a Company in Kenya
Company registration in Kenya is filed online through eCitizen/BRS. The practical process is to prepare the company information, complete the BRS application, sign and upload the generated forms, pay the invoice and track approval.
Step-by-step eCitizen/BRS company registration guide
1. Confirm the right structure
Confirm whether a private limited company is correct, or whether a business name, LLP, company limited by guarantee or foreign branch is more suitable.
2. Prepare names and company details
Prepare proposed names, business activity, registered office, email, phone contacts and postal details.
3. Prepare directors, shareholders and beneficial owners
Collect IDs/passports, KRA PIN details where applicable, addresses, photos where prompted, shareholding percentages and beneficial ownership details.
4. Start the application on eCitizen/BRS
Access Companies Registry services, select private limited company and complete the online fields carefully.
5. Generate and sign forms
Download the auto-generated CR1, CR2, CR8, Statement of Nominal Capital and BOF1 where generated. Sign clearly.
6. Upload documents and pay
Scan the signed forms clearly, upload them, pay the live portal invoice and submit the application for review.
7. Monitor BRS queries
Check the dashboard and respond quickly to any query about names, signatures, IDs, shareholding or beneficial ownership details.
8. Download incorporation documents
After approval, download and safely store the Certificate of Incorporation and company registration documents.
After registration: KRA PIN, CR12, bank account and permits
Registration creates the legal entity. It does not automatically complete every operating requirement. After incorporation, confirm the company KRA PIN position, obtain a CR12 or official search if required, prepare bank account documents, review county permit requirements and check whether sector licences apply.
| Item | Included in BRS incorporation? | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Incorporation | Yes | Main BRS registration output. |
| Company KRA PIN | Confirm after registration | Company and partnership PIN registration is handled online through iTax. |
| CR12 / official search | No, usually separate | Often requested by banks, investors, tendering entities and due diligence teams. |
| Corporate bank account | No | Requires KYC, certificate, PIN, CR12 where requested, board resolution and signatory documents. |
| County business permit | No | Required for many businesses operating from premises or trading within a county. |
| Sector licence | No | Applies to regulated activities such as telecoms, finance, health, education, construction, food and tourism. |
| Work or investor permit | No | Company registration does not by itself grant a foreigner the right to work or reside in Kenya. |
Foreign founder note
Foreigners can register a local Kenyan company, but a foreign-owned local company is not the same as foreign company branch registration in Kenya. If the overseas parent company itself needs to register in Kenya, use the branch route. If a foreign individual will actively work in Kenya, review the Kenya investor permit or relevant work/residence pathway separately.
Company Registration Cost and Fees in Kenya
The official BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for private limited company registration in Kenya. This is the government incorporation filing fee. The live eCitizen/BRS invoice remains the final amount payable at the time of submission.
Official and related filing costs
| Cost item | Amount / status | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Private limited company registration | KES 10,650 | Official BRS fee schedule amount for incorporation. |
| Business name registration | KES 950 | Lower-cost trading-name registration; not a separate limited liability company. |
| Limited Liability Partnership registration | KES 25,000 | Alternative structure for partnership-style ventures. |
| Foreign company branch registration | KES 7,550 | Separate route for an overseas company registering a Kenyan branch. |
| CR12 / official company search | KES 650 | Post-registration extract commonly requested by banks, investors and tendering entities. |
| Professional filing support | Varies by scope | Advisory, structure review, document preparation, BRS filing and query handling. |
| Post-registration setup | Separate | KRA PIN, bank-ready documentation, county permit review, tax obligations and sector licence mapping. |
Get a free quote for company registration in Kenya
Send your proposed company activity, founder type, number of directors/shareholders and whether you need KRA PIN, CR12, bank account support, county permit review or foreign investor support.
Call/WhatsApp: +254 700 176 096
Email: info@bieastafrica.com
Company Registration Timeline in Kenya
How long it takes: BRS lists 3–5 days for private limited company registration where the filing is complete. The wider business setup timeline can be longer if KRA PIN, CR12, bank onboarding, county permits, employer registration or sector licences are needed.
| Stage | Planning timeline | Common cause of delay |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-filing preparation | Same day to a few days | Missing ID/passport details, unclear shares, incomplete beneficial ownership information or unavailable names. |
| BRS review | 3–5 days for complete filings | Unsigned forms, unclear scans, name objections, mismatched details or portal queries. |
| Certificate download | After approval | Unresolved BRS query notices or portal access issues. |
| KRA PIN and CR12 follow-through | Post-registration | Director PIN issues, beneficial ownership questions, bank KYC or delayed search requests. |
| Full operational readiness | Usually longer than incorporation | Bank account opening, county permits, employer registration, tax obligations and sector licences. |
Common mistakes that delay company registration
- Submitting too few proposed names.
- Using a name that is too similar to an existing business.
- Mismatch between ID/passport names and portal entries.
- Unclear shareholding percentages or share capital details.
- Missing beneficial ownership details.
- Uploading unsigned forms or low-quality scans.
- Ignoring BRS query notices after submission.
- Assuming incorporation automatically completes KRA, CR12, banking and permits.
Our company registration service in Kenya
Business and Immigration East Africa assists founders, SMEs, foreign investors, contractors, employers and subsidiaries with company registration and post-registration setup in Kenya.
BRS incorporation filing
Included: structure check, filing details, form generation, signing guidance, uploads, submission and query follow-up.
Requirements review
Included: proposed names, directors, shareholders, beneficial owners, registered office and shareholding review.
Operational readiness
Optional add-on: KRA PIN follow-through, CR12, bank-ready pack, county permit review and sector licence mapping.
Foreign investor support
Optional add-on: foreign shareholder KYC, branch vs subsidiary review, investor permit direction and ownership structuring.
Talk to us about company registration in Kenya
Send the proposed company activity, founder type, number of directors/shareholders and post-registration support needed. We will confirm the correct filing route, official fee position and documents required.
Call/WhatsApp: +254 700 176 096
Email: Request help by email
FAQs: Company Registration in Kenya
How much does company registration cost in Kenya?
The BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for private limited company registration. The live eCitizen/BRS invoice should be treated as final. Professional fees, KRA PIN support, CR12, bank onboarding, county permits and sector licences are separate unless included in your service scope.
What are the requirements for company registration in Kenya?
You need proposed company names, business activity, registered office, director and shareholder details, ID or passport details, KRA PIN details where applicable, share capital, share allocation, beneficial ownership information and signed BRS-generated forms.
How do I register a company in Kenya through eCitizen?
Log into eCitizen/BRS, select private limited company, enter the company details, directors, shareholders, shareholding and beneficial owners, download and sign the generated forms, upload clear scans, pay the invoice and track approval.
How long does company registration take in Kenya?
BRS lists 3–5 days for a complete private limited company filing. The total setup period may be longer where the company also needs KRA PIN, CR12, bank account opening, county permits, employer registration or sector licences.
Which forms are required for company registration in Kenya?
The BRS fee schedule refers to CR1, CR2, CR8 and Statement of Nominal Capital for private limited company registration. The portal may also generate beneficial ownership forms such as BOF1 depending on the filing flow.
Can foreigners register a company in Kenya?
Yes. Foreign individuals and foreign corporate shareholders can register a Kenyan company. However, banking, KRA, beneficial ownership, sector licensing and immigration planning should be checked separately.
Does company registration give a foreigner the right to work in Kenya?
No. Incorporation creates the company; it does not automatically give a foreign director, shareholder or employee the right to work or reside in Kenya. Immigration status should be reviewed separately.
Is CR12 issued automatically after company registration?
The Certificate of Incorporation is the main registration output. CR12 or official company search is normally a separate post-registration extract used for banks, tenders, investor onboarding and due diligence.
What is the difference between a business name and a limited company in Kenya?
A business name is a simple trading-name registration and is not a separate limited liability company. A private limited company is a separate legal entity and is usually preferred where there are shareholders, contracts, tenders, investment, liability separation or growth plans.
What causes company registration delays in Kenya?
Common delays include unavailable names, inconsistent ID or passport details, unclear shareholding, missing beneficial ownership details, unsigned forms, poor-quality scans and late responses to BRS queries.
Official sources checked
- BRS Fee Schedule – Companies Registry
- Business Registration Service
- KRA Company and Partnership PIN Registration
- KenInvest eProcedures Kenya
Information date: 25 June 2026. Government portal steps, forms, fees and invoice amounts may change. Always confirm live requirements at filing time.
Author and review
Prepared by: Edward Omondi, business setup and immigration consultant based in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on company registration, investor entry, immigration planning, compliance follow-through and post-registration support.
Office: Kose Heights, Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya.
Reviewed by: Business and Immigration East Africa editorial/compliance review for BRS flow clarity, cost accuracy, requirements, KRA PIN follow-through, foreign investor considerations, bank readiness and post-registration compliance.
Reviewed: 25 June 2026 against BRS, KRA and KenInvest public guidance. Government portal requirements and invoices may change; always confirm live requirements at filing time.