Registering a company in Kenya no longer means queues and paper files. The process runs online through eCitizen and the Business Registration Service, and most of the work is preparing the right particulars before you start.
What are the steps to register a limited company?
- Create an eCitizen account and access the Business Registration Service portal.
- Propose at least three name options and reserve a name following the registry’s search.
- Complete Form CR1 with the company particulars, with the memorandum (CR2), notices of directors’ residential addresses (CR8) and the statement of nominal capital.
- Decide the registered office address, which appears on the record from the outset.
- Provide each director’s identification and KRA PIN, and pay the prescribed fees.
- Receive the certificate of incorporation, issued digitally once the registrar approves.
How long does registration take?
Where the name is available and the documents are consistent, incorporation is typically completed within a few working days. Delays usually come from name conflicts, particulars that differ between forms, or identification details that do not match registry records. A reserved name is held for a limited period, so the remaining filings should not be left until the end of that window. Registry fees are published on the BRS site, so the budget can be confirmed before filing. After the certificate, the practical next steps are a company KRA PIN, a bank account, and any county or sector permits before trading begins.
What should you decide before filing?
Shareholding proportions, the class of shares, who signs as director, and whether a company secretary is required should be settled in advance, changing them later is a separate process with its own forms. Founders with two or more shareholders should also record their understanding on decision-making and exits in a shareholders’ agreement rather than leaving it to memory. Businesses that will borrow or take investment should consider how the proposed structure reads to banks and investors. For guidance on structuring ownership, see our governance advisory practice; our practice areas page sets out the wider services.
The official starting points are eCitizen (ecitizen.go.ke) and the Business Registration Service (brs.go.ke).
For guidance on your specific situation, contact CS Advocates LLP, call, WhatsApp, or book a confidential consultation at our Westlands, Nairobi office.