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When starting a business in Kenya, one of the key legal obligation to operating your business is to have it registered.
In this article, I will guide you on the requirements you need to prepare in order to register your limited company in Kenya.
Company Name Search
It’s ideal to come up with 2-3 company name suggestions that you can use to check the availability of your company name, for example – “Fenesi Consultancy Ltd”, “Kiprono Consultancy Ltd”. Please note that you are only allowed to perform one name search at a time.
You can perform name search at any of the Huduma Centres or visit eCitizen website. We can also help you perform your company name search and registration for you.
Memorandum & Other Documents
Once your company name has been reserved, you will need to provide your information that will be used prepare your company documents.
Here are some of the information that you will need to collect;
Director(s) Details
- Full names – your full names as displayed on your ID/Passport will be used on the application
- Occupation – you will need to state your occupation e.g. IT Consultant, marketing consultant, finance consultancy, consultant etc. If you don’t have any occupation, don’t worry, you can simply put either businessman or businesswoman.
- Postal address – you will need to provide your postal address. If you don’t have one, you can register it with Posta Kenya.
- Physical Residential address – This information will be used on the Form CR8 to comply with the Company Act which requires all directors to provide their residential address. You’ll need to provide LR number or house number, building name (if any), street name, town name, country.
- Share Allocations – each director will need to be allocated at least 1 share. Remember that the total number of shares available for allocation is 1,000 shares. You can plan to allocate your 1,000 shares using percentages such as 60%/40%, 50%/50%. However, if you are just the sole director then you can have 100% share ownership.
See also: Nominal Capital Share Explained
- Proof of Identity documents – you will need to provide the following documents for registration, without them your application will be rejected.
- Copy of ID or Passport – you can scan or photocopy your identification document
- Copy of KRA PIN certificate – all Kenyan directors/shareholders will need to provide KRA PIN, however foreigners won’t need to provide one for the registration
- Photos – must have a clear background and show all your facial features, just like a passport photo. Please avoid submitting photos that has someone wearing sunglasses, hats; this could cause your application to be rejected by the Registrar.
Company Details
- Company Name Suggestions – you’ll need to come up with up-to 2 company name that you would like to check its availability
- Nature of business – with the new Company Act 2015, you can now do all trade of consultancy business without any restrictions.
- Location of business premises – you will need to provide the location details of your office including LR Number or Plot Number, Building name (if any), Street name, Town name. If you don’t have a business premises yet, then you can provide your home address then make the changes later once you have secured a business premises.
Once you have provided the above information, your company documents will be prepared and each directors will be required to sign the Memorandum & other documents as follows;
- Form CR1 – Application Form for Company Registration
- Form CR2 – Memorandum
- Form CR8 – Notice of Residential Address of Director(s)
- Notice of Nominal Capital Share
- Cessation Form (only applicable for applicants who are upgrading their business to limited company)
Certificate of Incorporation
Upon signing your documents, your application will be submit at Company Registry for process. the documents will be verified and approved before going to Company Registrar for signing. After a few days, your certificate will be issued.
Costs
- Lite Plan – Ksh. 20,000 – Includes Name Search, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Article of Association Only.
- Premium Plan – Ksh. 40,000 – Includes Name Search, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Article of Association, Company KRA PIN, Logo Design, Business Card Design, Website Design (Includes Tablet & Smartphone Designs), 1 Year Domain name (.COM or .CO.KE), 1 Year Web Hosting (250MB Diskspace, 2500MB Monthly Bandwidth), Up-to 25 Company Email Accounts, 1 Month Free Access to Online Business Coaching Program.
Duration
This process usually takes 5-10 working days depending on the workload of Company Registry.
So now you know the process of registering a limited company in Kenya.
Do you have a business idea and want to start it off, well you can have it registered as limited company today!
Register Your Limited Company Today
Here Is To Your Success In Registering Your Limited Company!
Hi,
I’m interested in starting a few businesses. One is an import/export business. Another is a farming business, and also a small shop/cyber cafe. Would I be able to run all of these under one business or should they be three separate businesses? Also, I’m by myself (no business partners currently) and would it be better to start a sole proprietorship or LLC or LLP? Also what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? One last question is that I’m a dual citizen who just came back to Kenya and I don’t have my KRA pin. Would it be better to operate as a Kenyan or foreigner or how does it work in my situation?
Thank you very much for all the help you are offering.
Is it possible to register a company alone
Yes, you can register a limited company as a sole / single director
Hi Enock,
I doing my registration but can move to the final stage ie step 5.
what values should I fill under share information?
Hi Enock, i would request your advice
on starting a transport
limited company im ongoing with the
business name search t the
moment. Thank you.
Hi Enock,
I just wanted to enquire on the procedure,cost and documentations in upgrading my sole proprietorship to a private limited company and also the Minimum share capital required
regards
hi
to know what is sole proprietorship from limited company.
Can I form a limited company alone ,so that I can its director or it is a must to be more than one person to form the limited company
Hae, I would like to start a limited company and we are two of us, we have done the name search, and we are given the forms to fill but we are stuck especially on article of association. Kindly I need your assistance from there.
Hi am steve i want to register a limited company.my compay will be dealing with plumbering and welding services.How can i go about it
Hi Kiprono,
I will be registering a personal money lending business next month. I will target Mama mboga’s. I will advance them small loans to pay back in less than 6 money. I will not be taking deposits.
Kindly advise me on the options i have.
Kind regards,
hi kiprono
please advice me on the steps to register a limited liability patnership company for a software development company.and the total cost. Please send me the details to my email please.
I would like you to kindly advice on registering a private limited liability company.
-is it possible with one director or a partner but a non director.
-what are the legal formalities required{permits}
-A non carer limited company with inclusion of so many other services as it grows.
is it possible for me to it a start key.
Hi i want to start a sole loan and savings company( non- bank financial institution) as a limited company, is it possible, and must i consult central bank of kenya before registering? please reply. thank you
If your company will be taking deposit from customers, then you will need to be regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK).
Even if the business is not a bank, it could be a SACCO or Micro Finance. If your business is doing deposit taking, it must get regulated by CBK.
According to CBK, they licenses and regulates non-operating holding companies of banks, non-bank financial institutions, mortgage finance institutions, foreign exchange bureaus (forex bureaus), money remittance providers, microfinance banks, credit reference bureaus (CRBs) and Representative Offices established in Kenya by foreign banks. CBK also regulates and supervises Building Societies, which are licensed by the Registrar of Building Societies under the Building Societies Act.
A complete list of licensed commercial banks and mortgage finance companies regulated by the CBK can be accessed on the CBK’s website under the link: https://www.centralbank.go.ke/index.php/bank-supervision
Hae Enock
i have been trying to contact you through the mobile number in your site coz i need to register a limited liability company which is a consultancy firm . please send me the details of the requirements so that i can begin the process immediately.
HI GOOD WORK.
we as a family would like to have an investment business where we give some cash every month towards investments other than chama groups which other registration will suit this kind of business?
Hi Enock,
I have a company already, operating in Kenya. Now, I need to change directors by removing some completely, and changing others. I also need the nominal share capital increased from 500,000 to 1,000,000, the share price increased from 100 to 10000 per share, and the number of shares reduced from 1200 to 100(yes, one hundred). Please advise in detail, and give me a cost for this if I gave you the task.
Here are the steps that needs to be followed in order to add or remove director into your existing limited company;
1. Copy of Certificate of Incorporation and also copy of Memorandum (pages where you had put your signatures)
2. Share allocation – you’ll need to indicate how much shares will be allocated to the new director(s) and if the current shareholding for existing director(s) will change.
3. Proof of identity documents for the new director(s) – including copy of ID/Passport, copy of KRA PIN and Photo.
4. Company Meeting Minutes – Company Shareholders Resolution
5. Form of transfer of shares duly filled and signed by both parties
6. Form 203A needs to filled to indicate changes in outgoing director(s) if any and the incoming new director(s).
7. Annual returns form is required to be filled and signed by one of the directors and the company secretary showing that returns have been paid up to date/Interim returns.
8. Application letter to the registrar of companies requesting for CR12
9. Affidavit of resignation is required to be done for the outgoing director(s). It can be in a form of resignation letter.
Hi,this is what have been looking for.
Currently am in South Africa planning to come back to Kenya in 8months time.but I would like to know if its possible to register for an Entertainment which includes Music recording and hiring of PA systems.If this is possible pls send me all that is needed to operate legally including the whole cost.
Thanks
Kind regards
Denis
Entertainment private company
hello gentle man my aim is to register sole proprietor company is it possible in Kenya now?
Hi,
My name is Hepi Patel, i am working in farming company, i would like to open a new company, i would like to start a new business in farming sector for that i want to hire a land which i am searching. but for registration will you please advise me?
hello,
Good morning, please advise on above mail.
I am Shadrach. I wish to register a limited business company dealing with stationaries and the like. How much will it cost me? Where do I register the company, must I come to Nairobi?
Hi Kiprono, I want to start a water purification company but I have no idea about its legal requirements and registration. Kindly advice. Regards.
Hi Kiprono, I want to start a water purification company but I have now idea about its legal requirements and registration. Kindly advice. Regards.
Hi Enock, can Health care services -medical,dental,pharmacy be offered under a Limited Liability company in Kenya.?
Yes, you can register the health care services under limited company.
Good evening,
I have a problem and I would like to be assisted, I was trying to register a security comapany on ecitizen, i searched the name and booked, the next step i paid for stamp duty.
So from that point I am stuck, kindly assit.
You will need to take the documents to Company Registry for processing.
Hi mr. Enoch we are planing of starting a cleaning and housekeeping company in Kenya. Please enlighten us on whether its good to start as a limited company or not? We are two guys and please help us to know how much will it cost all the registration plus name search of the company. Thanks
i need information on registering a security ltd comapny.I have reserved the business name.give all details plus cost
hi kiprono
i incorporated a construction company with directors who are not in kenya now and i want to change the names of director and before i apply for KRA pin what can i do or what is the procedure of changing director ? what is the cost of this can u assist
Good afternoon Kiprono,
i would like to register a limited company but i have already done a name search.
can you please email me the cost?
thank you.
kind regards
Florence
hi kiprono
please advice me on the steps to register a limited liability patnership company.and the total cost.i wish to get into contacts with you.Thanks
Hi Enock,
I would like you to kindly advice on registering a private limited liability company and A sole proprietorship:
– how much it will cost from name search to the last point whereby I can operate
– how long it will take
– Minimum Nominal capital to start
Thanks.
Thanks George for your questions. We have sent you information to your email.
Also explain to me if the directors must be career engineers if they wish to have an engineering firm, about share deposit
Not entirely, but it does help if you have a professional as a company director in your business as it will help you secure contracts or tenders more easier.
We want to register an engineering firm offering a wide range of electrical, telecommunication, IT and instrumentation services. Please offer details on cost of registration, company secretary, if its a must the physical office has to be available during registration and how long it will take to complete registration.
James, we have sent you the details to your email.
Hello Enock, please send me a copy of this I have the same idea.
Hi,
Good work guys. i am intendinv to start a private construction company. Can we negotiate on the cost of helping me start the company soonest possible?
I WANT TO REGISTER MY COMPANY
Hi kiprono, i have capital business, and lend money to busineses, how wil i get registered
hi kiprono
kindly advice, i wish to form a private company but must I have a registered office before forming up a company. I wish to operate the business from my house as I get financial muscle to rent one. since I am raising all the capital myself what will happen to other directors who must be included in the list if directors for legal issues? will they also have a shareholding?
haloo enock i want to satart abusiness but am very green..can i get ideas..can i be in comunication with you guys for more guidance.
Please check your email. We have initiated communication with you.
Hello Kiprono
I want to start a real estate management company, what are the requirements??. Is there any license for agents to carry out business of the company??,, kindly let me know if there are important things a should first know before I venture into it.
Thanks
Hello Enock, How can a NON-MEDIC or a MEDIC start a Limited Company offering medical , dental & pharmacy services in Kenya?
Am planning to have a registered limited company of interior design, how much will bit cost me?
Can I be able to get full information about it please?
I’ve a friend of mine whom we’re planning to have a company together of interior design,how much can it cost us to have a limited company?
Please check your email, we have sent you the information you need to register the company.
Dear Enoch,
I would like to discuss the registration of our multi national company in Kenya. I would also like to know if it is possible for me to work from home as it is a sales office and I alone will be representing the company for the first few months.
Looking forward to your response.
Regards,
Sushil Jacob
Hi, I would like to upgrade from a sole proprietorship to a ltd company and all I request is your guidance on how I should go about the process and also the costs
Jared, thanks for your inquiry. We have sent you an email that contain all the information you are looking for to upgrade your from sole proprietorship to a limited company as you had requested.
Hello Kiprono,
Just like Jared, i would like to upgrade my registered sole proprietorship business into an LLC, what are the steps to follow. Kindly send me the email you shared with Jared.
hi enock i would like to start an honey processing company,how long does it take to get kebs certification
Have you already register the honey processing company?
Hi, i would like your advice on starting a transport limited company here in kenya, im ongoing with the business name search t the moment. thank you
Fredrick, we have sent you an email with details to help you with the registration of transportation business.
Fenesi
Kindly let me know how I can register a driving school
Hello Malombe, I have sent you an email with information on how to register your driving school company.
I would like to register a building and construction company. please send me a breakdown of the cost of registration
Njugi, we have sent you information on how to register your construction company
Hi am in the process of registering a limited company.I have the MOA but the person who was doing it for me moved out of kenya.any opinion on how i should continue my email is above
Looking forward to work with you.
I have an idea.
I would like to register a company. Can I put several business ideas? The difference between partnership and limited.
Thanks
hi Enock…we appreciate for this piece of information.But the thing is,we are patners and ouf contributions havent yet hit that 100k each.but we want to register our bussiness as a company inorder to deal with bigger companies.what should we do.reply via email.
Hae thanks for the eye opener…I would love to start a real estate company what are the requirements and procedure of regestering the same?? My email is [email protected]
Please send me the requirements for registering a company, and also the
difference between sole proprietorship,Partnership & limited company, the cost
of registration on both cases and why one would be more appropriate than the
other
[email protected]
An email has been sent to you with information you have requested. Please check both your inbox or spam folder
Hi Kiprono. I also need the difference. Kindly send me an email
can a limited liability company have one director or shareholder like in sole proprietorship?
Yes it can, but we are awaiting for a company bill 2015 to be passed an enacted by the parliament for this to be possible
hi. I have done name search for a company we want to start with a friend. please carry me through other processes in involved and the money expected. how much do you register a company for?
Hello Ngeno, we have sent you the information you have requested to your email. Please check and confirm.
I want to start a company that offers health and safety solutions and services what do I do to register and every thing else
Hello Francis, we have sent you an email to give you more information on how we can assist you to register your health and safety solutions company.
Hi,
I would like to register a private limited liability company, kindly advice on:
– how much it will cost from name search to the last point whereby I can operate
– how long it will take
– what is the minimum no of directors/shareholders
– Minimum Nominal capital to start
Thanks.
Angela, we have sent you an email that has all the information you have requested.
Hi Mr Enock i would like to register a company i will be humbled if you dont mind guiding me through i am a nairobi resident
Thanks Harrison for your comment. We have sent you an email that should guide you with the registration process.
My wife wants to start a company to enable her in tendering for government jobs and supplies through the women empowerment programmes and other NGO tenders focusing women empowerment. How do you advice her and the total cost from the starting process to getting final papers to start working?
Hello Richard, Did your wife want to register a limited company so she can use it for tenders?
Hi I have an llc company in egypt and GCC country and i would like to open a braunch for the company in kenya, what to do and how much in total will cost/?
Thank you
Its possible but you need a share holder from kenya to register the company
Hi Enock,
I would like to register a limited liability company kindly advice how much it will cost from name search to the last point whereby I can operate ,how long it will take
Regards
kalee
Sir,
Kindly would you inform us? if you are aware of any firms in Nairobi, that does rigister LTD companies.
Actually outside the country, a m not in a position physically to do the processing of files,
Looking to forward to hear from you.
Sincerely
Managing Director
Paul NJUI.
+33603660676
Mail: [email protected]
Hello Paul, We can assist you with the registration process. Please check your email from our Team.
hello guyz wan to register and start a civil construction company… need procedure plz
Hello Duncan, we have sent you information on your email regarding registration of your construction company.
Hey I would like to know the initial cost required to start a company….reply via my mail
Please check your email as per your request.
send me the requirements to register a general company please , including the total cost
Hi, I would like to register building construction ltd co. Advise on a must information or documents I should have, who may help in acquisition of memorandum and Articles of Associations, total cost of the whole process,whether directors forming it may be closely related such as spouse or brothers and how nominal shares capital is computed btw or among directors. My email- [email protected]
kindly inform of the requirements needed to start a non depositing micro finance bank and the registration process
i wish to register a private company limited by shares. where do I start? please send me the necessary documentation required for registration. my email is [email protected]
We have sent you the information you have requested. Hope you have received it.
We are currently operating a cousin group comprising of 4 members and we hope to be incorporated as company soon. What are the procedures? What should comprise our objects since its an investment company? Is it a must we pay the corporate tax, hire an auditor, have an AGM and we are still mobilizing our capital and have not landed our initial investment and maybe it might take 3 years or so, going by our monthly contribution?
What’s your email address so we can send you the information that you have requested?
Kindly get in touch with me, I need assistance on registering a limited company urgently.
Hello Nasiali, what’s your email address so we can send you information that will help you with registering your company?
when upgrading a sole proprietor to a limited company, do i need to change the name or am able to retain the name.
Hi!Kindly assist.I want to start a company that comprises of two or three directors that deal with general supplies.What are the requirements and procedures…..Any advice accorded will be highly appreciated
Please end us your email address so we can send you an email with requirements and procedures.
Hi Enock kindly give me the details on how to register a private company. David . My email is [email protected] also i would like to give you a list of three names that i propose to use so you can conduct the name search on my behalf.
Thanks
Hello David, we sent you an email, am not sure you received it. Please confirm.
i would like to register company name as soon as possible via online is it possible?
what’s your email address?
interest in starting a company. Would like help in carrying end to end process. Can you assist?
Please give us your email address so we can send you an email.
I am Victor, i am in the process of registering a general construction ltd, I am done with step 1, name search, Kindly assist me to continue, especially about the requirements in terms of the cost and the articles, my mail is [email protected]
Please check your email Victor, our Support Team has sent you the requirements. Please check both your inbox or spam folder.
Hello i would like to register a building construction company, please
advise me on procedures to follow and total costs involved as well as
the issue of secretary of the company, Is she a different person from
the directors?
Hello Oscar, Please send us your email so we can give you more information regarding your inquiry.
Hi Enock,
I already have a business name registered. So if I convert to a company do I still need to do name search again? Will that same name be registered as [“xxxxxxx xxxx ltd Co.”]
Hello Wilson, If you already have an existing register business, either “sole proprietorship” or “partnership”, then you won’t need to perform any other name search. All you need to do is upgrade that business into a Limited Company. Here is a useful link – http://www.dealpoa.com/upgrade-sole-proprietor-limited-company/
we are 21 member registered in welfare self help group we would like to register a limited company,what are the procedure and criteria of nominal share and appointing directors
Hello Geoffrey, please give us your email address so we can send you all the information you need. Or you can send us an email to [email protected] and we will get in touch with you.
my email address [email protected]
Did you want to register a limited company?
2o people in a group contributing the same amount of shares monthly wants to open a company limited who among the will be the directors of the company and what criteria will be use to appoint them?
Please note that all limited company has a minimum of 2 directors and a maximum of 7 directors based on the Company Act. So the 20 people will need to appoint who will be directors and then the rest will become shareholders.
Please send me the requirements for registering a company, and also the
difference between sole proprietorship,Partnership & limited company, the cost
of registration on both cases and why one would be more appropriate than the
other;;;;[email protected]
We had sent you an email. Did you receive it? If not please let us know.
hi, i want to form a couple of holding companies. Any advice you give will be highly appreciated
What’s your email address?
hello? we want to register a building and construction company, is it a must to have the knowledge in construction?
Please send us your email address so we can send you the details.
hello i would like to register a building construction company, please advise me on procedures to follow and total costs involved as well as the issue of secretary of the company, Is she a different person from the directors? Also explain in detail the point on nominal share value, and where its reserved.
what’s your email address?
[email protected]
Did you receive an email from our Team?
hello,i would like to register a ltd distribution company,whats the cost of registration and permit and is it a must an etr machine immediately i open the business,then whats the difference btwn etr and point on sales(pos) machine and which one is a must have in a distribution co.kindly respond via my email [email protected]
Hello Kennedy, did you receive an email from our Team?
How to i reduce the paid up share capital of a company without obtaining a court order. Remembder its the paid up capital not the nominal share capital….
We don’t understand what you are asking. Please send us an email on [email protected]
I intend to register an IT Firm that offers training and other services outside the training section, can you please give me some procedures on how to go about it? [email protected]
We have sent you an email. please check both your inbox and spam folder and reply so we can assist you further.
I want to start an entertainment company here in Nairobi.How much do you think it will cost me in total to have the registration set up?
Hello Martin, Kindly check your email for response.
i want to register a security company pliz advice me on documentation and send me an email vide [email protected]
aproximately twenty thousand five shillings
Good tips. Very helpful for anyone wanting to start a company.
Thanks Emmanuel. Here at Fenesi, We believe that “Empowerment Equals Prosperity”
Hey I would like to know the initial cost required to start a sole prop company….reply via my mail
Hello Enock I would love to write to you direct and know a few things concerning business,please write to me on my email so that we can have a moment together,thank you.
Hello Mayiek, habe sent you an email. Looking forward to communication with you about your concerns in business.
I also need your mail kindly write to me
Hallo Enock, I would like your guidance on the cons and pros of registering a private company as compared to a limited liability partnership and the legal process involved in both? Thank you