How to Register a Company in Kenya

A company is defined as a legal entity formed by either an individual or a group of individuals with an aim of running a business or a profit-generating activity.

In Kenya, registering a company has become easy and more straightforward than before. Both Kenyan Citizens and foreigners can now successfully register a business or a company from the Government's services portal. Ideally, the process should take anywhere between a week to one month or even longer in case you do not have all the documentation required for Company Registration in Kenya.

Below is a list of Requirements for Registering a Company in Kenya.

1.  E-Citizen Account

2. Passport Photo

3. Application Fees ( ksh 10,000 )

Step by Step Procedure on Company Registration.

Create an E-Citizen Account

eCitizen Account Creation

The very first step to Company registration in kenya is creation of an ecitizen account, Ecitizen is the Kenyan Government portal where Government services are applied. i.e 

>Passport application

>Good Conduct application

>Birth and Death certificates application  and many more.

> Company and business registration

To register an e-citizen account you need a working phone number and and a Kenyan National ID Card.

1. Navigate to https://www.ecitizen.go.ke/ 

2. Click on Create account then use you ID Number for registration,      a confirmation message will be sent to the phone number that you      will have provided.

3. Upon registration, a dashboard showing available services will be       displayed.

4. Navigate to Business Registration Service.

Upon navigation to the Business Registration service Dashboard,Choose your type of registration service you need i.e

 > Business name Registration

 > Public Limited Company

 > A Foreign company

 > A branch of a foreign Company

 > Limited Liability company e.t.c

In this case were registering a Private Limited Company, therefore you will need a minimum of 3 Company name suggestion and a maximum of 5 Company Name suggestions of which the Registrar of companies will choose one unique Company name from the possible 5 name suggestions. Remember to write the name suggestions in order of priority,from the most desired to least desired.

The registrar of companies will approve one name from the possible 5 ,thereafter the selected name will be reserved for a maximum of 30 days from the day name reservation, that's the maximum period you have to complete the company/business registration process.

STEP BY STEP SUMMARY ON HOW TO REGISTER A COMPANY IN KENYA

Registering a company in Kenya is a straightforward process, and it's a requirement for anyone looking to start a business in the country. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register a company in Kenya:

Step 1: Choose a Company Name

The first step in registering a company in Kenya is choosing a company name. The name you choose should be unique, easy to remember, and not already in use by another company. You can check the availability of your chosen name on the eCitizen platform, which is the government's online portal for business registration.

Step 2: Reserve the Company Name

Once you have chosen a name for your company, you need to reserve it through the eCitizen platform. The reservation process takes up to 30 days, during which time no other company can use your chosen name.

Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents

To register a company in Kenya, you need to prepare the following documents:

• Memorandum of Association: This document outlines the company's objectives, rules, and regulations.
• Articles of Association: This document outlines the internal management and operations of the company.
• Company Registration Form: This form contains the details of the company, such as the name, address, and directors' details.

Step 4: Obtain the Necessary Licenses and Permits

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain additional licenses and permits before registering your company. You can find out which licenses and permits you need on the eCitizen platform.

Step 5: Register the Company

Once you have completed all the necessary steps, you can now register your company through the eCitizen platform. You will need to provide the required documents and pay the registration fees, which vary depending on the type of company you are registering.

Step 6: Obtain a Business Permit

After registering your company, you need to obtain a business permit from the county government where your business is located. The business permit allows you to operate legally in the county and is renewable on an annual basis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, registering a company in Kenya is a straightforward process that involves choosing a unique company name, reserving the name, preparing the necessary documents, obtaining the required licenses and permits, registering the company through the eCitizen platform, and obtaining a business permit from the county government. By following these steps, you can legally operate your business in Kenya and enjoy the benefits of being a registered company.Feel free to ask for guidance and Consult whenever possible on the comment section below.