Starting a Business in Kenya

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Starting a Business in Kenya

Overview

The principal types of business enterprises in Kenya are:

Registered Companies (Private and Public)
Branch offices of companies registered outside Kenya
Partnerships
Sole Proprietorships; and
Societies

Company Registration

Link to the step-by-step guide to Company registration procedure

In order to register a company in Kenya, You will need to:
Pay KES 150 and reserve a company name through the ecitizen portal and get it approved by the Registrar of Companies through the ecitizen portal
Through the ecitizen portal Fill the online forms, pay the company incorporation fees KES 10650 print the forms sign and upload them back to the system. During application the applicant is supposed to attach a passport photo and an individual pin certificate if the applicant is a local. The forms include:

CR Notice of the registered address of director – CR8
Application to register company limited by shares – CR1
Memorandum of a company with share capital-CR 2.
• Statement of nominal capital

You will then be issued with a certificate of incorporation, a list of the registered company shareholders (CR12). You are then required to obtain NSSF employer registration, NHIF employer registration, A KRA pin and unified business permit from the county government

Opening a branch office of an overseas company

Link to the step-by-step guide of the branch registration procedure

In order to register a company in Kenya, You will need to;
Pay KES 150 and reserve a company name through the ecitizen portal and get it approved by the Registrar of Companies through the ecitizen portal
Through the ecitizen portal fill the online forms, Pay the company registration fees KES 6850, print the forms sign them and upload them back to the system. During application the applicant is supposed to attach the following:

A notarized certificate of incorporation from the country of origin
A notarized charter /memorandum / constitution
Passport showing bio data page for the directors and the local representatives if non Kenyan
A list containing the names of the company directors and their personal details
Address of the company’s proposed registered office
A notice specifying the address of that office

Identity Card and pin certificate for the local representative if KenyanBusiness name/sole proprietorship/partnership registration
A business name is reserved through the ecitizen portal at a cost of KES 150.
Once the name has been approved the applicant applies and pays for registration through the ecitizen system. The registration cost is 850 KES. During application the client fills the statement of particulars form then prints the form and signs on it. The signed form is then scanned and uploaded to the system

NHIF and NSSF Registration
With the certificate of incorporation the company should apply for company PIN, NSSF employer registration, NHIF employer registration and obtain a single business permit.

Register with KenInvest

Link to the Investor registration procedure

You can reduce to reduce the bureaucracy you face in relation to licensing, immigration and negotiating tax incentives and exemptions from the relevant authorities by registering with us. In order to do this, you will need to;

Fill the Investment Application Form

Engage legal advice in Kenya.

Submit Application Form + Certificate of Incorporation + Articles and memorandum of association to KenInvest

Issue of The Investment License

You will be then be issued with an investment Certificate after your project has undergone an Enviormental, Health and Secuity impact assessments depending on the sector.

Documents

Document	Issuing Agency	More Information
Information on various business types and procedures for registration (110 KB)	KenInvest	More information on various types of formal entities and registration procedured can be found at www.attorney-general.go.ke
Registering a Foreing Owned Company (300 KB)	KenInvest	Details and requirements for registering a foreign owned company in Kenya
Register Online for Personal Identification Number and VAT Registration	Kenya Revenue Authority	All businesses are required to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN). This is the tax registration document. An application for a PIN is to be made to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)

“Multinationals looking to enter Kenya should engage with the Kenya Investment Authority. They are helpful with advice on regulatory frameworks and requirements. I would definitely advise multinationals to use this as a point of entry”.

Loren Bosch, MD, Internet Solutions Kenya

“Kenya Investment Authority has proven very helpful not only to us as a young business but to our clients both local and international. They have been very instrumental in providing information and direction to companies looking to set up their businesses and invest in the region.”

Maria Wamakonjio, MD, ESBC Limited

Kenya’s retail property market is growing and the list of new retailers entering the market is deepening; the retail market here is primed and is ripe for growth.

Jonathan Yach, Managing Director, Broll Property Group.

“Kenya has emerged as one of Africa’s ‘frontier economies’, and I am very interested in learning how the country’s leaders and people will build on this success moving forward.”

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde

“Kenya has a great creative potential and is a key market in advertising. If you look at last year’s ranking, Kenya is top on the list. This goes to show the worth of this industry.”

Mr. Andrew Human, CEO Loeries Africa Caravan.

“Foreigners are investing more in Africa than ever—and so are Africans” Bill Gates

“Isarel has confidence with Kenya as a key investment hub in the region.”

Israel Deputy Prime Minister Avigdor Liberman.

“Nairobi, Kenya is hosting several multinational headquarters, and is strategically located in Africa. It is also the regional business hub in the East African Community.”

Tune Hotels Group CEO Mark Lankester

If you’re going to do business in Africa, Kenya is almost a requirement.

Stephen Hayes, Head of the US Corporate Council on Africa.

My Government has prioritized infrastructure development and investment to spur growth and job creation in all sectors of the economy.

H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenya is a business hub, with a promising economic growth, fantastic weather, great hospitality personnel and the best safari experience in the world. Kempinski felt confident to come to the market with two properties within the same year- Villa Rosa Kempinski (Nairobi) and Olare Mara Kempinski (Maasai Mara).

Anne Murungi, Director of Sales and Marketing, Nairobi.

“The emerging and growing middle class in Nairobi offers a perfect market for the food retail business.”

Christopher J. Bak, CEO, Liberty Eagle Holdings, the franchise holders for Subway Kenya.

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