Registrar strikes off 72 companies, gives 68 more three months to explain why they should stay

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The Registrar of Companies has struck 72 firms off the register and warned 68 more that they could follow within three months, in two Gazette notices published on Friday, October 23.

Deputy Registrar of Companies Hiram Gachugi signed both notices. The first says the 72 companies “have been dissolved and their names struck off the Register of Companies with effect from the date of publication”, under section 897(4) of the Companies Act. The second lists 68 companies and gives anyone with an interest in them three months to show why they should not be removed.

Which businesses are affected

The notices do not give reasons for the removals, and they do not say whether the companies were trading or how many people they employed. The firms named span real estate and property development, construction, healthcare, water purification, solar and renewable energy, textiles, media production, education, food processing, logistics, automotive services, hospitality, retail and business consultancy, according to a review of the notices by Kenyans.co.ke.

Many companies struck off in this way are dormant shells that stopped filing annual returns, or owners who asked to be removed. Others are active businesses that simply fell behind on filings. Because the notices are silent on this, the real effect on jobs is unknown.

Part of a wider clean-up

This is the second batch in about a month. In September, the Registrar dissolved 176 companies and listed 155 for possible removal.

What dissolution means

• The company stops existing in law. It cannot sign contracts, sue, be sued in its own name or operate bank accounts.
• Directors can still be liable. Striking off does not wipe out personal liability for wrongdoing while the company was active.
• Restoration is possible. A former director, member or creditor can apply to have a company restored, either administratively through the Registrar or through the court, usually after filing the missing returns and paying penalties.

What to do if your company is listed

If your company appears on the list of 68, you have three months from October 23 to respond. In practice that means logging into the eCitizen Business Registration Service portal, checking which annual returns are outstanding, filing them and paying any penalties, then writing to the Registrar to object to the removal. Creditors owed money by a listed company can also object.

Owners who are unsure of their company’s status can run a search on the BRS portal. Our Finance Bill 2027 explainer covers other compliance changes coming for businesses next year.

Why staff and suppliers should check too

Employees, landlords and suppliers dealing with small companies may want to check whether a firm they work with is on either list. A dissolved company cannot legally enter new contracts, and recovering money owed by it becomes harder once it no longer exists. Creditors can apply to restore a company so they can pursue a claim, but that costs time and legal fees. Checking early, and objecting within the three-month window for the 68 companies still on notice, is the cheaper route. Owners of companies that are no longer needed may also prefer to apply for voluntary removal themselves, which is tidier than waiting for the Registrar to act.