Private limited companies in Kenya are registered with the Business Registration Service under the Companies Act. The process runs on eCitizen. A company has separate legal personality and limited liability for shareholders, unlike a simple business name.
Typical requirements
- eCitizen accounts for proposers
- Proposed company name (with backups)
- ID and KRA PIN for directors and shareholders
- Registered office address in Kenya
- Share capital structure and articles (model articles are commonly used)
- Payment of BRS fees shown on eCitizen
Steps
- Reserve the company name on the BRS eCitizen service.
- Capture directors, shareholders, beneficial owners and addresses as the form requires.
- Adopt articles of association.
- Pay official fees and submit.
- Download the certificate of incorporation and CR12 (or current directors extract) when available.
- Register the company for taxes on iTax, then open a bank account with incorporation documents.
Name reservation on BRS has historically been a small fee (often quoted around KES 150 for a search/reservation line item) while incorporation costs more; always use the live eCitizen invoice. Pair this with a county single business permit before you trade from a physical premises.
