How to Register a Company in Kenya (2026)

How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya?

The official BRS fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for a private limited company. The best rule for users is this: always rely on the final eCitizen/BRS invoice generated at the time of payment.

Budgeting tip: the statutory filing fee is not always the full setup cost. Many businesses also incur post-registration costs for KRA PIN, CR12, bank onboarding, certified documents, or advisory support.

How long does it take to register a company in Kenya?

BRS publishes a 3–5 day timeline for a private limited company where the filing is complete. That usually refers to the incorporation stage only. In practice, operational readiness may take longer if you still need a corporate KRA PIN, a CR12, internal resolutions, or a bank account opening pack.

Practical rule: if the business needs to start transacting quickly, do not plan only for the certificate. Plan for incorporation, KRA PIN, then banking.

Requirements for company registration in Kenya

For a standard private limited company, you usually need 3–5 proposed names, director and shareholder details, recent passport photos, a Kenyan registered office, the required BRS forms, and beneficial ownership information.

Core requirements

• Proposed company names: usually 3–5 names in order of priority.
• Director details: identification and contact details.
• Shareholder details: including shareholding percentages.
• Registered office in Kenya: physical and postal address.
• Portal-generated forms: CR1, CR2, CR8 and statement of nominal capital.
• Recent coloured passport photographs: commonly needed during the filing flow.
• Beneficial ownership details: especially where the 10% threshold or control rights are triggered.

Beneficial ownership: the 10% rule

Kenyan beneficial ownership rules commonly capture a natural person who directly or indirectly holds at least 10% of issued shares, exercises at least 10% of voting rights, has rights over director appointment or removal, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control.

Company registration in Kenya for foreigners

Foreign investors can register a local company in Kenya through the foreigner route on eCitizen/BRS. Where the business already exists abroad, a branch of a foreign company may be a better fit than a new local company. The right structure depends on ownership, tax, banking, licensing, and immigration planning.

• Local company: often suitable where you want a Kenyan operating company with local shareholding records.
• Foreign branch: often considered where an existing overseas company wants to extend directly into Kenya.
• Banking: foreign directors and shareholders usually face stricter KYC review after incorporation.
• Immigration: company registration does not automatically give the right to work in Kenya.
• Practical tip: prepare a simple ownership chart where there are foreign or corporate shareholders.

Business name vs company registration in Kenya

Many users search for “business registration” when they actually mean either a business name or a private limited company. They are not the same thing.

If the business will sign contracts, bring in investors, appoint multiple shareholders, or scale formally, a private limited company is usually the better structure.

CR1, CR2, CR8 and CR12 documents explained

These terms already have search demand, so it helps to define them clearly on the page.

• CR1: application to register a company.
• CR2: model memorandum for a company with share capital.
• CR8: notice of residential address of director.
• CR12: official company search / company extract commonly requested by banks, counterparties, and due diligence teams after incorporation.

CR12 is typically a post-registration document rather than one of the main incorporation forms, but users commonly search for it together with CR1, CR2, and CR8.

Company registration vs business permit in Kenya

Company registration and a county business permit are different compliance steps. Registering the company gives you the legal entity. A county business permit is a separate local operating licence that may be required before trading from business premises.

Do not confuse the incorporation fee with the cost of a county single or unified business permit. They are separate compliance items.

How to register a company in Kenya on eCitizen (BRS)

Step 1 — Prepare the company details

Decide the company name options, directors, shareholders, shareholding percentages, registered office, and beneficial ownership details before you begin.

Step 2 — Start the BRS application

Log into eCitizen, select private limited company, and enter 3–5 proposed names in order of priority.

Step 3 — Add directors, shareholders and upload photos

Complete the general company details, add the officials, upload recent passport photos where prompted, and make sure all spellings and ID/passport numbers match throughout.

Step 4 — Generate, sign and re-upload the forms

Download the portal-generated documents, sign them, scan them clearly, and upload them back to the system.

Step 5 — Pay and submit

Review the application carefully, pay the final portal invoice, and submit for review.

Step 6 — Download the certificate and continue with tax and banking

Once approved, download the Certificate of Incorporation, then proceed to corporate KRA PIN registration and prepare the bank account opening pack.

Documents checklist

Incorporation checklist

• 3–5 proposed company names
• Director and shareholder ID or passport details
• Recent passport photos
• Registered office address in Kenya
• Shareholding percentages and nominal capital decision
• Signed CR1, CR2, CR8 and Statement of Nominal Capital
• Beneficial ownership details where applicable

Bank-ready checklist after incorporation

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Corporate KRA PIN certificate
• CR12 or official search where required
• Constitutive documents / portal outputs
• Board resolution for account opening and signatories
• ID/passport and proof of address for signatories
• Source-of-funds narrative where requested

Corporate KRA PIN registration after incorporation

After the company is incorporated, the next practical step is often the corporate KRA PIN. Company PIN registration is initiated online through iTax.

1. Visit iTax
2. Select New PIN Registration
3. Complete the online form
4. Upload the required documents and director details
5. Submit and retain the acknowledgment receipt

Do not delay this step if you need to open a bank account, invoice properly, or complete tax setup soon after incorporation.

Corporate bank account opening in Kenya: what slows it down

The certificate of incorporation is not the finish line. Banks often want a fuller KYC pack, especially where there are foreign directors, corporate shareholders, or higher-risk business activities.

• Incomplete proof of address for signatories
• Missing board resolution for account opening
• No CR12 where the bank prefers one
• Weak explanation of shareholding or source of funds
• Uncertified foreign documents where certification is expected

Common mistakes that delay company registration

FAQs

How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya?

The current BRS fee schedule lists KES 10,650 for a private limited company. In practice, always rely on the final eCitizen/BRS portal invoice generated at the time of submission.

How to register a company in Kenya?

The usual process is to choose 3–5 proposed names, complete the company details on eCitizen/BRS, add directors and shareholders, generate and sign the portal forms, upload the signed copies, pay the final invoice, and download the certificate once approved.

Requirements for company registration in Kenya

Common requirements include proposed company names, director and shareholder details, recent passport photos, a Kenyan registered office, CR1/CR2/CR8 forms, nominal capital details, and beneficial ownership information where applicable.

How long does it take to register a company in Kenya?

BRS publishes 3–5 days for a private limited company where the application is complete. Practical readiness may take longer if you still need a corporate KRA PIN and bank onboarding.

Online company registration in Kenya

Company registration is done online through the eCitizen/BRS platform. The applicant completes the portal flow, signs the generated forms, uploads them back to the system, pays the invoice, and waits for review.

Company registration in Kenya for foreigners

Foreigners can register a local company in Kenya through the foreigner route on eCitizen/BRS. Where an overseas company already exists, a branch registration may be worth comparing before filing.

What is the difference between company registration and a business permit in Kenya?

Company registration creates the legal entity through BRS. A business permit is a separate county-level trading or premises licence where required.

What do CR1, CR2, CR8 and CR12 mean in Kenya?

CR1 is the company application form, CR2 is the memorandum for a company with share capital, CR8 is the director address notice, and CR12 is the official company search or company extract commonly requested after incorporation.