eProcedures Kenya

Starting a business

The Registrar of Companies is responsible for business registrations in Kenya. He/she issues certificates of compliance for foreign companies, certificates of incorporation for local companies and certificates of registration for sole proprietorships and partnerships. Firms must then obtain registration with National Social Security Fund (NSSF), National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) . A business permit should also be obtained from the County Government depending on the business type. All company and business registrations (sole proprietorships, partnerships and limited liability partnerships) are being done through the ecitizen portal .Click on the links below to see all the steps to start a business in Kenya including where to go, forms to download, what to bring, costs, time frames and legal justifications.

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Kenyan citizens wishing to register a private limited company are required to create an ecitizen account and register their company. Upon registration one is issued with a certificate of incorporation, a list of directors and shareholders (CR 12) and a company pin.

In order to commence operations, the business is required to obtain a business permit, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) employer registration and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration. The County business permit procedure and fees varies from one county to the other.

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Kenyan citizens wishing to register a company are required to create an ecitizen account and register their company. Upon registration one is issued with a certificate of incorporation, a list of directors and shareholders (CR 12) and a company pin.

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Kenyan citizens wishing to do business in Kisumu County will register their business online and obtain a trade licence from Kisumu county eservices portal.

The business will then be required to obtain employer registration with National Social Security Fund and Social Health Authority.

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Kenyan citizens wishing to do business in Mombasa county will register their business online and obtain a business permit from Mombasa County eservices portal.

The business will then be required to obtain employer registration with National Social Security Fund and Social Health Authority.

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Kenyan citizens wishing to do business in Nairobi County will register their business online and obtain a unified business permit from the Nairobi eservices portal.

The business will then be required to obtain employer registration with National Social Security Fund and Social Health Authority.

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Foreigners wishing to register a local company are supposed to create an ecitizen account and register their company. Upon registration one is issued with a certificate of incorporation and a list of directors and shareholders (CR 12).

The investor is then required to apply for taxpayer registration for both the directors and the Company. Kenya Investment Authority assists foreign investors to obtain directors pin registration through the issuance of an endorsement letter to Kenya Revenue Authority. Once issued with the directors pin one is required to obtain Company pin registration from the Itax portal.

In order to commence operations, the business is also required to obtain a business permit, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) employer registration and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration.

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Upon registration the investor is supposed to obtain taxpayer registration for both the company and the directors from Kenya Revenue Authority, registration from Social Health Insurance, National Social Security Fund and obtain a unified business permit from Nairobi County.

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Upon registration the investor is supposed to obtain taxpayer registration for both the company and the directors from Kenya Revenue Authority, Social Health Insurance registration from Social Health Authority Social Security registration from National Social Security Fund and a single business permit from Kisumu County

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Upon registration the investor is supposed to obtain taxpayer registration for both the company and the directors from Kenya Revenue Authority, Social health registration from Social Health Authority, Social Security registration from National Social Security Fund and a single business permit from Mombasa County.

In order to commence operations, the business is also required to obtain a business permit, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) employer registration and Social Health Authority (SHA) registration. The business permit varies from one county to the other.

Companies incorporated outside Kenya can do business in Kenya by registering a branch of a foreign company. The registrar of companies issues a certificate of compliance upon registration.

Registering a branch of a foreign company (Mombasa)

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Upon registration the investor is supposed to obtain taxpayer registration for both the company and the directors from Kenya Revenue Authority, Social health registration from Social Health Authority, Social Security registration from National Social Security Fund and a single business permit from Mombasa County .

Registering a branch of a foreign company (Nairobi)

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Upon registration the investor is supposed to obtain taxpayer registration for both the company and the directors from Kenya Revenue Authority, Social health registration from Social Health Authority, Social Security registration from National Social Security Fund and a business permit from Nairobi City County.

Registering a branch of a foreign company (Kisumu)

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Upon registration the investor is supposed to obtain taxpayer registration for both the company and the directors from Kenya Revenue Authority, Social health registration from Social Health Authority, Social Security registration from National Social Security Fund and a single business permit from Kisumu County

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Upon registration the investor is supposed to obtain taxpayer registration for both the company and the directors from Kenya Revenue Authority, Social health registration from Social Health Authority, Social Security registration from National Social Security Fund and a single business permit from the County government they will be operating in.

Company registration (Business Registration Service)

Company registration is done online through the ecitizen portal. Kenyan citizens wishing to register a company are required to create an ecitizen account and proceed to register their company. Upon registration one is issued with a certificate of incorporation, a list of directors and shareholders (CR 12) and a company pin.

Company registration

A Limited liability partnership (LLP) is a unique business association provided for in the Limited Liability Partnership Act which combines the characteristics of both a company and partnership. Once it is registered, it gains a corporate legal entity different from its members and is able to own property in its own name. This type of entity is preferable for members of professional bodies such as Advocates and Certified Secretaries. The partnership must have at least one manager and two partners. A manager may also be a partner in the Limited Liability Partnership

Business name (sole proprietorship) is a business structure operated and owned by one person. The owner is the sole decision maker in the business and is liable for all the losses and returns of the business. In most cases it is usually a business structure for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The registration is done online through the eCitizen portal.

A partnership is a form of business structure between two or more people who have a common view of making profit. The level of financial risk in partnerships is less when compared to sole proprietors as any loss incurred is shared between all the partners. Since it also involves more than one person's expertise, the chances of the business failing is also reduced. In addition, the formalities of registration (cost, requirements, duration) are minimal making it an attractive business structure. Registration is done online through the eCitizen portal .