Setting Up: 5 Easy Steps

1. Fill the "One Stop" IPC application Form.
2. Engage legal advice in Kenya.
3. Register Your business
4. Submit IPC form + Certificate of Incorporation + Articles and memorandum of association to IPC
5. Issue of The Certificate of General Authority (Investment license)

PROCEDURES FOR ESTABLISHING A COMPANY IN KENYA

The principal types of business enterprises in Kenya are:
1. Registered Companies (Private and Public)
2. Branch offices of companies registered outside Kenya
3. Partnerships
4. Sole Proprietorships
5. Co-operatives

Companies are registered as limited liability companies as in 1 and 2 above, and regulated by the Companies Act (Cap 486). Kenya’s legal system is based on English law and practice. A wide range of legal services are locally available.

Company Registration
The initial step in forming a company is to register the proposed company name with the Registrar of Companies at the Attorney General’s Chambers in Nairobi. The Memorandum and Articles of Association should be filed with the Registrar of Companies who, upon satisfaction, issues the Certificate of Incorporation.

OPENING A BRANCH OFFICE OF AN OVERSEAS COMPANY

An overseas company wishing to open a branch office in Kenya should deliver the following to the Registrar of Companies:
• A certified copy of the Charter, Statutes or Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, or other instruments defining the constitution of the company;
• A list of the directors and secretary of the company, giving full names, nationality and other directorships of companies in Kenya;
• A statement of all existing charges entered into by the company affecting properties in Kenya;
• Names and postal addresses of one or more persons resident in Kenya authorised to accept, on behalf of the company, service of notices required to be served on the company;
• Full address of the registered or principal office of the company in its home country; and,
• Full address of place of business in Kenya.
Both private and public companies may allot shares for considerations other than cash. Companies should inform the Registrar of Companies of such allotments and submit a written contract constituting the title of the allottee.

PATENTS AND TRADE MARKS

Patents are regulated by the Industrial Property Act and administered by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), while trademarks are regulated by the Trade and Service Marks Act (Cap 506) and administered by the Registrar of Trademarks at KIPI. The duration of trademarks is seven years from the date of filing and renewable every 14 years.

WORK PERMITS

The Government allows investors to have key expatriate staff in senior management positions or where locals with specific skills are not available. Work permits for such expatriates are issued by the Immigration Department and are valid for one to two years, renewable on application.

IMPORT AND EXPORT PROCEDURES

There is no import licensing except for a few items restricted for security, health or environmental reasons detailed in the Imports, Exports and Essential Supplies Act (Cap 502).
During the Budget for Fiscal Year 2001/02 the Minister agreed to waive the 2.75% Import Declaration Form (IDF) fees applicable on imported goods used for manufacturing goods for exports under the Tax Remission for Export Office (TREO) scheme. Manufactures under the TREO will however have to pay Kshs. 5000 which is processing fees.