Information checked: 26 August 2026. Company-registry fees, eCitizen fields and administrative practice can change. The live BRS/eCitizen application and invoice control at the time of filing.
Quick Answers: Company Registration in Kenya
To register a private limited company in Kenya, apply online through the Business Registration Service (BRS) on eCitizen. Prepare at least three preferred names, the company activity and Kenyan registered office, director and shareholder details, shareholding and beneficial ownership information, complete and sign the portal-generated documents, pay the live invoice and track the filing until the Certificate of Incorporation is issued.
How to register
Online through eCitizen/BRS
Complete the private-company application, sign and upload the generated forms, pay and monitor the Registrar review.
Core requirements
Names, founders, address, shares and BO
Prepare names, business activity, registered office, directors, shareholders, share allocation and beneficial owners.
Official fee
KES 10,650 on current BRS schedule
Older official guidance still shows KES 10,750. Use the live BRS/eCitizen invoice as the amount payable.
Registry time
3–5 days on current BRS schedule
This is the published registry benchmark for a complete filing, not a guaranteed end-to-end setup time.
Main forms
CR1, CR2, CR8 + capital statement
These are the main lodged documents listed on the current BRS Companies Registry fee schedule.
Outcome
Certificate of Incorporation
After approval, BRS issues the company’s Certificate of Incorporation electronically.
Important: Official Sources Currently Conflict on Fee and Time
This is one area where a simple copy-and-paste guide can mislead founders. Current official Kenyan sources do not all show the same private-company fee or timeline.
| Official source | Fee shown | Time shown | Practical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRS Companies Registry fee schedule | KES 10,650 | 3–5 days | Use as the current published BRS budgeting and registry-processing reference. |
| BRS FAQ guide | KES 10,750 | Not stated in the same fee table | Useful for workflow guidance, but its fee figure differs from the current BRS fee schedule. |
| Doing Business Kenya | KES 10,750 | One day | Treat cautiously for timing because the current BRS fee schedule publishes 3–5 days for private-company registration. |
How to Register a Company in Kenya on eCitizen/BRS
Direct answer: log into eCitizen, open the Business Registration Service, select the private limited company route, submit at least three preferred names with the full application, enter the company, director, shareholder, shareholding and beneficial ownership details, sign and upload the required forms, pay the invoice and track the filing until approval.
1. Confirm the right legal structure
Use a private limited company where you want a separate Kenyan legal entity limited by shares. Do not use this route if you actually need a business name, LLP, company limited by guarantee or a branch of an existing foreign company.
2. Prepare at least three preferred names
Current official guidance states that name review is integrated into the registration workflow. Prepare genuine alternatives rather than relying on one preferred name.
3. Set the ownership and share structure
Confirm the subscribers/shareholders, number and class of shares, nominal value and allocation before the filing. The figures must reconcile across the application and generated documents.
4. Prepare directors and beneficial owners
Collect identification, addresses and contact information. A private company must have at least one director, and at least one company director must be a natural person.
5. Complete the BRS application
Enter the company activity, Kenyan registered office, directors, shareholders, shareholding and beneficial ownership information in the live eCitizen/BRS workflow.
6. Generate, sign and upload the forms
The current BRS fee schedule lists CR1, CR2, CR8 and the Statement of Nominal Capital for a standard private limited company filing. Follow the forms and prompts generated by the live portal.
7. Pay and submit
Review the live invoice, pay electronically and submit the application for Registrar review. Keep the payment record and monitor the application dashboard.
8. Respond to queries and download the certificate
If the Registrar raises a correction, resolve it promptly. Once approved, download and retain the Certificate of Incorporation and the company records needed for the next setup steps.
Official references: BRS fee schedule, BRS forms, and Companies Act, 2015.
Talk to Us Before Filing
Send the proposed business activity, founder type, number of directors/shareholders, ownership split and whether any founder is foreign or a corporate shareholder. We can identify structural or document issues before the BRS submission.
What You Need Before You Register
Direct answer: prepare at least three proposed company names, the intended business activity, a Kenyan registered office, director and shareholder particulars, identification information, the proposed share structure, beneficial ownership details and the BRS forms generated or required by the filing.
| Requirement | What to prepare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Company identity | At least three preferred names and a clear business activity. | Name review is integrated with the registration application. |
| Registered office | A physical registered-office address in Kenya plus contact details. | The company must maintain a registered office for official communications. |
| Directors | Full legal names, ID/passport particulars, nationality, addresses and contacts. | A private company needs at least one director; at least one director must be a natural person. |
| Shareholders / subscribers | Identity/entity particulars and the shares each subscriber will take. | Kenyan law permits single-member companies, but the ownership must be correctly recorded. |
| Share capital | Class, number and nominal value of shares and allocation to each shareholder. | The capital statement and ownership figures must reconcile. |
| Beneficial ownership | Natural persons who meet the ownership/control tests, including identification and control particulars. | The Beneficial Ownership Regulations apply a 10% ownership/voting threshold and also capture appointment rights or significant influence/control. |
| Secretary / contact person | A company secretary where the statutory threshold applies; otherwise check whether a Kenya-resident contact person is required by the company’s director/secretary structure. | A private company requires a secretary at KES 5 million or more paid-up capital. Under section 243A, a private company without a secretary or resident director must appoint a natural-person contact person permanently resident in Kenya. |
| Core BRS documents | CR1, CR2, CR8 and Statement of Nominal Capital for the standard private-company filing, subject to live portal prompts. | These are the documents currently listed on the BRS Companies Registry fee schedule. |
Legal references: Companies Act, 2015; Companies (Beneficial Ownership Information) Regulations.
What Company Registration Costs in Kenya
Direct answer: the current BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for registration of a private limited company. Some older official BRS/government material still shows KES 10,750, so the live eCitizen/BRS invoice is the final amount to pay.
| Cost item | Amount / position | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Private limited company registration | KES 10,650 on current BRS fee schedule | Registry incorporation filing and Certificate of Incorporation output. |
| Professional filing support | Quoted by scope | Optional structure review, preparation, filing, query response and agreed post-registration coordination. |
| Post-incorporation setup | Separate | KRA, bank onboarding, county permits, sector licences, immigration and other operational requirements are separate from the BRS incorporation fee. |
Get a Free Quote
Send your proposed business activity, whether the founders are Kenyan or foreign, the number of directors/shareholders, whether any shareholder is a company, and the post-registration support you need.
How Long BRS Company Registration Takes
Direct answer: the current BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists 3–5 days for a complete private limited company filing. Treat this as the Registrar’s published processing benchmark, not as a guaranteed date for a fully operational business.
| Stage | Planning position | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-filing preparation | Depends on how quickly the founder information is complete and internally consistent. | Unsettled ownership, missing IDs/passports, unclear registered office or incomplete beneficial-owner data. |
| Registrar review | 3–5 days on the current BRS schedule for a complete filing. | Name objections, document/signature problems, ownership inconsistencies or Registry queries. |
| Certificate of Incorporation | Issued after approval. | Outstanding corrections or portal issues. |
| Tax, banking and licences | Separate timelines. | Different agencies, bank KYC, county permits, sector licences or immigration requirements. |
Pre-Submission Checks That Prevent Avoidable BRS Queries
This is where professional experience adds more value than simply repeating the eCitizen menu. Before submission, check the file as one connected ownership record rather than as separate forms.
- Names: director and shareholder names should match the ID/passport spelling and order used in the application.
- Shares: the number of shares, nominal value, total capital and allocations must reconcile mathematically.
- Beneficial owners: do not stop at a corporate shareholder; trace the ownership/control chain to the relevant natural persons.
- Addresses: distinguish the company’s registered office from directors’ residential addresses.
- Signatures: confirm every portal-generated document that requires signature has been signed before upload.
- Scans: use complete, legible and correctly oriented uploads.
- Foreign founders: make the passport, nationality, address and ownership chain internally consistent across the file.
- Regulated activity: check sector ownership, capital or licensing rules before incorporating a structure that later cannot obtain its operating licence.
A routine self-filing may be reasonable where
- The ownership is simple.
- The founders are individuals with clear ID records.
- There is one ordinary class of shares.
- The business is not regulated.
- The beneficial ownership is obvious and direct.
A pre-filing review is more valuable where
- A shareholder is a foreign company.
- There are several investors or complex ownership percentages.
- Beneficial ownership is indirect.
- The activity is regulated.
- Banking, tender, investment or immigration deadlines matter immediately after incorporation.
Foreign Founder: Kenyan Company or Foreign Company Branch?
Direct answer: a foreign person can participate in a Kenyan private limited company, but that is different from registering an existing overseas company as a branch in Kenya.
| Route | Legal effect | Registry output | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign-owned Kenyan private limited company | Creates a separate Kenyan legal entity. | Certificate of Incorporation. | You want a new Kenyan subsidiary/company for local contracts, operations or investment. |
| Foreign company branch | Registers the existing overseas company to operate in Kenya. | Certificate of Compliance. | The overseas parent should remain the same legal entity operating through a Kenyan branch. |
What Happens After the Certificate of Incorporation?
Incorporation creates the company. It does not automatically complete every tax, banking, employment or operating requirement.
- KRA company PIN and tax-profile follow-through where required.
- CR12 / official company search where requested by a bank, investor, tendering entity or counterparty.
- Corporate bank account onboarding and signatory documents.
- County business permit or premises licensing.
- Sector-specific licences and regulatory approvals.
- Employer registrations when staff are hired.
- Trademark registration if the business name/brand needs protection.
- Immigration planning for foreign founders, directors or employees who will work in Kenya.
KRA guidance: Company and Partnership PIN Registration.
FAQs: Registering a Company in Kenya
How do I register a company in Kenya?
Apply online through eCitizen/BRS. Prepare at least three preferred names, the company activity and registered office, director/shareholder and ownership details, complete the BRS application, sign and upload the generated forms, pay the live invoice and track the filing until the Certificate of Incorporation is issued.
What are the requirements for company registration in Kenya?
For a standard private limited company, prepare at least three proposed names, the business activity, a Kenyan registered office, director and shareholder particulars, identification information, share capital and allocation, beneficial ownership details and the forms generated or required by the BRS workflow.
How much does company registration cost in Kenya?
The current BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for private limited company registration. Some older official guidance still shows KES 10,750, so the live eCitizen/BRS invoice should be treated as final.
How long does company registration take in Kenya?
The current BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists 3–5 days for a complete private limited company filing. Queries, name issues, incomplete documents or ownership inconsistencies can extend the registry stage.
Which forms are required?
The BRS Companies Registry fee schedule lists CR1, CR2, CR8 and the Statement of Nominal Capital as the main documents lodged for a standard private limited company registration. Follow the live portal for any additional generated documents or prompts.
Can one person own and direct a company?
Yes. Kenyan company law recognizes single-member companies, and a private company may have one director. At least one company director must be a natural person.
Is a company secretary required?
A private company is required to have a secretary where its paid-up capital is KES 5 million or more. If a private company has neither a company secretary nor a resident director, section 243A of the Companies Act requires it to appoint a natural-person contact person with permanent residence in Kenya.
Can a foreigner register a company in Kenya?
Yes. Foreign individuals can be directors or shareholders in a Kenyan company. Company registration is separate from tax, bank KYC, sector licensing and permission to work or reside in Kenya.
Official sources checked
- Business Registration Service — Companies Registry Fee Schedule
- Business Registration Service — Companies Registry Forms
- Business Registration Service — FAQ Guide
- Doing Business Kenya — Launch Your Business
- Companies Act, 2015 — Kenya Law
- Companies (Beneficial Ownership Information) Regulations — Kenya Law
- Kenya Revenue Authority — Company and Partnership PIN Registration
Prepared and reviewed
Prepared by: Edward Omondi, Business and Immigration East Africa, Nairobi.
Review basis: current BRS fee schedule and forms, BRS workflow guidance, Companies Act, beneficial ownership rules and KRA guidance checked on 26 August 2026.
This page is general company-registration information and does not replace transaction-specific legal, tax, immigration or sector-regulatory advice.
Start Your Company Registration in Kenya
Send your proposed names, business activity, founder type, number of directors/shareholders, ownership split, whether any shareholder is a company, and any post-registration support required.
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Email: info@bieastafrica.com