Procedure For Company Registration in Kenya

Are you planning to register a company in Kenya? This comprehensive guide explains the procedure for company registration in Kenya, including all the steps, forms, and documents required through the eCitizen portal managed by the Business Registration Service (BRS).

1. Create an eCitizen Account

Kenyan citizens use their National ID number to sign up.
Foreign directors use a valid passport.
Verify your email or phone number to activate it.

To start the company registration process in Kenya, visit the official eCitizen portal and create an account under the Business Registration Service (BRS).

2. Name Search and Reservation

The next step is to conduct a company name search in Kenya:

Log in to your eCitizen account and navigate to the Business Registration Service section.
Propose up to five company names in order of preference.
The Registrar of Companies will check availability and approve one.
Once approved, the name is reserved for 30 days, renewable once.

3. Prepare Company Registration Documents

Prepare the required company registration documents. These include:

CR1 Form – Application for Company Registration
CR2 Form – Memorandum and Articles of Association
CR8 Form –
The CR8 Form specifies the company’s official registered office address and postal address in Kenya.
This is the location where:
All official correspondence and legal notices will be sent
Company records are maintained
Every registered company must have a registered office address in Kenya, even if operations are conducted remotely.

Statement of Nominal Capital

This declares the total share capital and how it is divided among shareholders.
It includes details such as:

The number of shares and value per share
The allocation of shares to each shareholder
This determines the company’s ownership structure and used to calculate stamp duty and registration fees based on the declared capital.
Beneficial Ownership Information Form

You will also need the following supporting documents for all directors and shareholders:

Copies of National ID or Passport
KRA PIN certificates
Passport-size photos
Physical business address (building name, street, plot number, county, etc.)

4. Submit the Application Online

Once all documents are ready:

Log in to your eCitizen BRS account.
Select “Register a Company” and fill in the required details.
Upload all supporting documents and confirm the company structure (Private Limited, Public Limited, or Limited by Guarantee).
Double-check the information before submission.

5. Pay the Company Registration Fees

After submission, proceed to pay the official company registration fees.

Payments can be made via M-Pesa, credit/debit card, or bank transfer.
For an average cost of registering a private limited company in Kenya, contact Afrilink Consultants for a customised quote.

6. Review and Approval by Registrar

The Registrar of Companies will review your application under the Business Registration Service (BRS).

If all documents and details are correct, approval takes 3–5 working days.
Incomplete or inconsistent applications may be queried or rejected for correction.

7. Issuance of the Certificate of Incorporation

Certificate of Incorporation is available for download from your eCitizen account.
This certificate is official proof that your company is legally registered and recognised in Kenya.

8. Post-Registration Steps (Recommended)

After registering your company, complete these key follow-up steps:

Apply for a KRA Company PIN for tax compliance.
Open a business bank account using your company documents.
Obtain a business permit or trade license from the respective county government.
Register with NSSF and NHIF if hiring employees.

These steps ensure your business remains compliant and fully operational.

Conclusion

The company registration procedure in Kenya is now simple and fully online through the eCitizen portal. By following these steps—creating an account, reserving a company name, submitting the required documents, and paying the registration fees—you can receive your Certificate of Incorporation in just a few days.

Whether you are a local entrepreneur or a foreign investor, ensuring you meet all the requirements and follow the correct procedure will make your business registration in Kenya smooth and successful. For business registration in Kenya, contact our experts at;

📩 clientservice@afrilinkconsultants.com
📞 +254707280366
🌐 https://afrilinkconsultants.com/

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