A private limited company is a separate legal person: it can own property, sign contracts and borrow, and its owners are not personally liable for its debts beyond what they invested. Registration is done online through the Business Registration Service (BRS) on eCitizen.

For choosing between a business name, a partnership and a company, see Registering a business in Kenya.

What you need

  • A company name, and a couple of alternatives.
  • At least one director - an adult, who can be a foreigner.
  • Shareholders - at least one, who can be the same person as the director.
  • A registered office address in Kenya.
  • For each director and shareholder: ID or passport, KRA PIN (for Kenyans and residents), a passport photo, email and phone number.
  • Beneficial ownership details - who ultimately owns or controls the company.

Step by step

  1. Reserve the name. On eCitizen, open the Business Registration Service and search and reserve the name.
  2. Fill in the registration form (CR1), with the company’s details, directors, shareholders and shares.
  3. Add the beneficial ownership form (BOF1).
  4. Upload the documents and pay the fee.
  5. Everyone signs electronically - each director and shareholder approves through their own eCitizen account.
  6. Receive the certificate of incorporation and the company’s KRA PIN, usually within a few working days.

What it costs

The government fee for a private limited company is about KES 10,650 for a standard setup. The invoice on eCitizen is what you pay. Advocates or company secretaries who file for you charge extra for their work.

After registration

  • Open a business bank account with the certificate, the company’s KRA PIN, and the directors’ IDs.
  • Register for taxes - the company has its own obligations on iTax, such as income tax and, if it applies, VAT or turnover tax.
  • Set up eTIMS for invoicing. See eTIMS explained.
  • Get the county permit for your premises. See the Nairobi county permit.
  • If you employ people, register as an employer with NSSF, SHA and for PAYE.

Keeping it in good standing

  • Annual returns to the BRS every year.
  • Tax returns every year, and monthly returns for taxes you are registered for - even when there is nothing to declare.
  • Update the registry when directors, shareholders or addresses change.
  • Keep proper accounts.

Missed filings build up penalties and can block a tax compliance certificate. See Getting a tax compliance certificate.

Foreign owners

Foreigners can own and direct Kenyan companies, but working for your own company still needs the right permit - usually a Class G investor permit. See Moving to Nairobi.

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