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Registering A Sole Proprietor Company In Kenya

How To Register Sole Proprietor Company In Kenya

For most aspiring entrepreneurs, starting a sole proprietor company is more ideal. It is easy to setup and require less financial requirements.

In order to register a sole proprietorship company, you will need to the following requirements;

1. Name of Business – A name search needs to be performed first as part of the registration process. You will need to write a letter requesting for a name search to be performed. This can be done at Company Registry. However, if you perform a name search through eCitizen, you won’t need to write a letter. You will only need to enter the business name and pay for the name search.

2. Nature of business – You will need to come up with one specific nature of business e.g. Tours & Travel, Computer Repairs, Mobile Phone & Accessories Shop etc. General words such as “shop” or “retail”, trade” are not sufficient for Company Registry to proceed to register your business. You will need to avoid things like “General Supplies” which is popularly used but it will not be approved.

3. Address of the principal place of business – (Plot No., Section and Name of Street or Road, Name of Building) – For the plot number, please find the electricity bill or water bill of your business premises. If you don’t have a business premises, you can use your home residential plot number/land reference number for registration that’s if you are starting your business from home, but you will need to update the records at Company Registry once you have a Business Premises.

4. Postal Address – If you don’t have one, you can register your very own postal office box for Ksh. 2,500 at the nearest Postal Office or ask a family or friend to allow you to use their P.O. Box temporary for the application then later on update your registration certificate.

5. Address of any other place of business (Branch Office under the above name) – Only applicable to businesses that are currently operating business in other counties or have other branches under the same business name.

6. Full Names of you and any other partners – Any person who has changed his/her name must give all former names, unless the change occurred before he/she attained the age of two years.

Avoid using abbreviation in your name as this is not legally recognised. For example names like Enock K. Kiprono instead it should be like Enock Kipkolele Kiprono. This will save you time and money.

For Sole Proprietor Business, it only requires 1 person.
For Partnership Business, it only require minimum of 2 people and maximum of 20 people).

7. Nationality – You will require to enter your nationality as indicated on your identification e.g. Kenyan, German, British, American, Chinese, South African etc.

8. Age – Make sure you give your correct age based on your ID/Passport

9. Gender – Male (M) or Female (F).

10. Usual place of residence -Where you currently reside e.g. Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, London, Paris, Hong Kong etc.

11. Other business occupation – You will need to enter your occupation e.g. engineer, farmer, hair stylist, web designer etc. If you don’t have one you can simply write either “Businessman” or “Businesswoman”.

12. Signature on the document (usually at the back page of the BN2 Form)

13. Copy of ID/Passport

14. Copy of KRA PIN Certificate

15. Passport Photo

Cost: Lite Plan: Ksh. 5,000 (Includes, name search and business registration certificate only) / Premium Plan – Ksh. 7,500 (Includes, name search, business registration certificate, domain name and web hosting)

Duration: 5-10 working days (Depending on Company Registry Workload)

See Also: How To Register Limited Company in Kenya

That’s it, if you have the above information then you are now closer to meet the legal obligation to starting your business in Kenya.

Photo Courtesy of enterpriseconnect.gov.au

About Enock Kiprono

Enock Kiprono is the founder of Fenesi.com & Dealpoa.com. He loves to connect with entrepreneurs that are success driven, passionate, action-taking whose goal is to make a difference in the business world!

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186 comments

  1. Thanks for the good Job. i want to start a first food restaurant.where should i start? looking for location or registering(name search, and all legal requirement? which will come first?

    Thanks.

  2. Hello Kiprono,
    Thanks for the good job. I am trying to register business I have filled section one and two but I have a problem with the third part,.when I am trying to submit the information that comes on the I’d slot is, officer already added. Iam stuck from here please assist.

  3. Hi. I need some advice when registering a general supplies business. What do I put as the nature of business.

  4. William Waithaka

    Sir,that was informative and i would be glad if you assisted me to open a sole proprietorship company though i expect my wife to be helping me.Am in the process of rearing broilers and kienyeji chicken and since i have farmers doing layers,am looking forward to a company dealing with the same but not limited since with time am seeing myself rearing pigs also.Thanks in advance,be blessed.

  5. I want to register a sole proprietorship kindly help me as am beginning from scratch

  6. how much does it cost to apply for sole proprietor……total expenses

    • Hi Kiprono,
      I would like to register a logistics business (Sole proprietorship) kindly advise on the requirements, cost, and time it will actually take to go through.
      Thanks in advance.

  7. hallo Kiprono, can you do registration and all those process to other people? kindly let me know so that we can do arrangement , i need to open SOLE P business.

  8. Hi Mr kiprono, am really thankful for this information, i would like to register a sole proprietor company under general supply and maintenance so that I’ll able to apply for National/county tenders. please assist me to go about it. Send me information through my e-mail. Thanks

  9. hi I would like to open a contracting company…..
    kindly help me on the list of requirements and how to come up with an appropriate name and if possible the total cost up-to to operational level.

  10. Hey, I already reserved my business name on e-citizen but they are asking for all this, how and where do I get them, or where have I gone wrong.

    No objection letter from the ministry of education *
    No objection letter from T.I.V.E.T *
    Medical practitioners board certificate *
    Nursing council practicing certificate *
    Poisons board certificate *
    Ophthalmologist board certificate *
    Medical practitioners board certificate *
    Laboratory technician board certificate *
    Veterinary board certificate *
    Engineering board certificate( on the field) *
    Board of surveyors approval *
    Architectural association board *
    Association of planners approval *
    Business management qualifications
    -ICPAK or ACCA certificate
    -CPSK certificate *
    No objection letter fron NEEMA or KWS. *
    Additional Professional documents-supporting the field of consultancy *
    Attach Documents Supporting the Nature of Business

  11. security firm registration as a limited company

  12. Dear Enock
    I am a forensic and criminal Investigator and I would like to start a security firm what should I do?

  13. hi enock
    i want to start abussiness that deals with supply of all agricultural produce. what can i do.can i register it as a sole proprietorship and how do unlimited business work.

  14. Thanks for writing such an information. I would like to register a sole proprietor company dealing with a number of activities. Please send me the necessary info on this plus all the cost needed for registration. thanks.

  15. Wow this is really helpful…. thumbs up

  16. Hi Enock
    i am planning of starting a Building Repairs and Maintenance sole proprietorship company which i will later convert to limited company. what are the limitations of starting with a sole proprietorship?
    can Buildings Repairs and Maintenance be accepted as sole proprietorship for registration?

    • Hello bro i appriciate the good job kiprono is doing by shedding light for some of us .Im fighting to match antonies line of building materials and mentainance too what can i go about registration please sole proprietorship.

    • Thank you Mr Kiprono for the information you have given us in your article. I would like to ask some few questions on sole proprietor.
      1. I would like to do electrical services and open a shop maybe that i can also supply so electricals. Is that possible in a sole proprietor?
      2. For my sole proprietor to function, how much will it cost me to complete registration and necessary requirements?
      3. Will i get government tenders by my sole proprietor company dealing with electrical services and supplies?
      4. How will i benefit youth funds & youth tenders… what are the requirements?
      5. Do i still need NCA to operate my company?
      Note: am planning to upgrade that sole proptietor company maybe after 6 months or one year.
      Please guide me sir.

  17. thanks for your informative article im sylvester and want to start electrical contracting business please could you please guide to archieving this dream thanks

  18. Thanks 4 powerful in formation

  19. Hello,

    I’m Evans and I want to open up a tender company.How do I go about it?Especially in the part of general supplies since I don’t want to major now with one product

    • Hi Enock. Thanks for the insightful information. I would like to register my company which is a General supplies business. What should I write as the nature of my business?

  20. Hi,I am Wycliffe and Im interested in opening cleaning and garbage collection compay.please how do I go please help me on advice.thank you.

  21. Hi, i am from India & i want to open a office in Kenya. What is the procedure for foriener to open an office with partnership company & what will it cost me for this we are 3 partners plz mention all the details & documents to be required

    • hi prishant..if you already opened an office i can help you in the processing of a class G WORKING PERMIT..thats my area of specialisation..thanks

  22. Thanks for writing such an informative article. I would like to register a limited company dealing with a number of activities. Please send me the necessary info on this plus all the cost needed for registration.

  23. gladys wanjiku

    do i need a separate kra pin to a partnership business or i can use my kra pin?

    • Gladys, How many partners are there in your partnership business?

      You will need to apply for your partnership business KRA PIN using the partner(s) individual KRA PIN.

      Only sole proprietor can use their personal PIN as their business PIN.

      • Hi would like to register a sole proprietorship company under general supply whereby i can be able to apply for government tenders please assist me how to go about it send the information to my email thank in advance

  24. Hi Enock,
    My friend runs a company but thinks running a company is more tidious with may legalities so he wants to make the company dormant and then run the current business as a sole proprietor. What steps can he take to turn the co. into a sole proprietor and is it adviceable to do so.

    • Vincent, if the limited company is already existing and operational. Your friend can try and convert that business to be unlimited company.

      The other option is simply to wind-up/close the limited company and register a new sole proprietor.

      So it depends on which route your friend wants to follow.

      • Thanks for your reply Enock,

        He wants to follow the easiest route. He says operating a company is tidious and requires alot unlike operating a sole propritership. Is it true. I think he wants to do away with things like, Annual financial reports, VAT returns, PAYE returns and maybe other licenses required by the law for a company.

  25. Hae ,good work,would like to register my mushroom farm,any difference in the process?

    • Jane, there are no difference in registration process. You will need to perform a name search first then fill in the registration form and get it submitted at Huduma Center or Company Registry.

  26. How can I start a sole proprietorship in real estate agency?

  27. Hi Enock,
    Thanks for the Informative processes.
    I would like to open up a Sole Proprietorship for real estate agent,
    Please advice on how I can go about it. Thanks

  28. Hi,i would like to register a company that will deals with tenders.kindly assist.

  29. Hello? I would like to register a sole business company dealing with supplies of stationary in schools, kindly, help me know the procedure of registration, the amount payable for the processes and any other details and i would appreciate.
    if possible, send me the forms to be filled for the above processes. thanks

  30. Hi Kiprono,

    Kindly advice about a security firm.

  31. Thanks inadvance

  32. Hi fenesi.com, thanks for the good work you doing, i woud like to register a survey firm that will deal with surveying activities. pliz kindly help on the procedure to register the firm.(sole proprietorship).

  33. I need to register a ltd company.
    Please send me the necessary requirements to my email.
    Thank you.

  34. Enock, i bumped into this page and in a few minutes i have picked quite important information. kindly forward me the requirements and steps in registering a limited company.

  35. I’m a broker dealing with building materials and i also supply schools with eggs and milk but i want to register a business that can accommodate both pliz advice

    • Hi Ng’ang’a,am not the right person to advise you on how to go about the registration but am really interested in working with you in this line of business. If you don’t mind kindly just let me know. I will be expecting you reply on this. I will leave my email address below to show you how greatly am interest edin this.

  36. Hae thanks kiprono for shedding brighter lights in this field iam in Nyeri. Want to register a company name as a sole proprietor , guide me coz it has been one of my major resolutions this year ,if I go through I will for sure be different person ready to transform the business world , I have worked in in different fields for other people and now have made up my mind to work on my own. Assist ,assist ,assist

  37. Hi kiprono.i would like to start an agency firm.ie,letting houses.hw do i go abt it?

  38. Hi.
    I Would like to register a compamy that will deals with tenders. Kindly assist.

  39. Thank for the useful information on this platform. I would like to to start a business as a health and wellness consultant. Kindly advise on whether i should consider registering a sole proprieter business or a limited company and the pros and cons….

  40. am working as a cyber attendant and a want to register my customer as a sole proprietorship businessman which procedure should i follow

  41. Hi Enock,
    Am looking forward to starting a cleaning and cabbage collection company.Can it be registered as a sole proprietor? If so, please advise me on the relevant paper work.
    Thanks for the good work.

  42. Evans Musto Lourien

    Hi Fenesi am planning to start packaging honey at home. I would like to know all the necessary papers needed to operate legally. Thanks in advance.

  43. Hi to u thank u for ua services i want to open a small petrol and paraffin pumping business please what do i need to do. Is there any registration required please specify….. Already i hav the finance

  44. Hi,
    Am planning to register a sole proprietorship construction company early next year.
    Please advice on all the requirements on this and the possible amount required so that i can plan myself budget wise.
    I will be grateful for your prompt response.

  45. Hello, thnaks for the information I would like more information on how to register my business early next year thanks. Please send me information on my email thanks

  46. Hi, I appreciate your informative work. I am a youth and I wanted to register for a business so I can be able to participate in the government tenders. I currently don’t have any specific service that I may offer. Can you please advise me on how to go about this

  47. Am so grateful for learning all this from you. However, am just about to start registering A Cleaning company. How can I go about it? kindly send me the information on my email and I will really appreciate.

    • We have sent you an email as per your request. We will await for your response.

      • Hello, thank you for your excellent work! I am a foreigner married to a Kenyan and don’t have KRA PIN number. I would like to start a governance consulting sole proprietorship. What are my options? How do I obtain a KRA PIN number following the registration of the company, how much does it take and how much does it cost? Does it mean my withholding tax would be at the lower rate of 5 per cent? Many thanks for your help!

        • Hello Mark, as a foreigner, you won’t be required to provide KRA PIN for company registration. You willl only need to have copy of passport and photo.
          You can register your business through Huduma Center and it should cost you around Ksh. 1,000 for name search and processin fees.

  48. Hello sir! Thank you for good work you are doing.am planning to start my business early next year. Please help me to understand what is certificate of compliance, certificate of corporation and bond.

  49. I have a business name which is a sole proprietor but I want to incorporate it to a company. plz advice on the way forward n the total cost of doing tat.

  50. Good advice mr kiprono.
    I have a registered business which is s sole proprietor but I want to incorporate into a company.what am I suppose to do.pliz advice and pliz let me know the total cost of incorporating a company.

  51. Hello I would like to register sole appropriator school is it possible?

  52. john mwangi wangari

    would like to open a sole-proprietor,please help on how to go about it,or is it possible to open one for me

  53. Kprono kindly assist,wishing to start a sole proprietorship to deal with tenders and supplies in schools in food stuffs,stationaries,and uniforms is it possible to do all these under one name and if so kindly advice on that.

  54. Hi Enock
    I would like to start a business that deals with supplies mostly in schools…can i register it under sole proprietorship or limited company

    • Amos, it really depends on whether you are looking to register the business by yourself or do you want to start with business partners? Limited company has more advantages, since you will be able to include more business activities in the nature of business compared to sole proprietor which can only take one business activity only.

  55. Hi,
    I wish to register a Sole Proprietor Company dealing with Several Different and Variable Tenders. Kindly advice on the way to go about it and the requirements. Thank you.
    Kind regards,
    Mike

  56. Hi,
    I wish to register and establish a Sole Proprietor Company dealing with selected / variable Tender(s). Kindly advice on how to go about it and the requirements. Thank you.

  57. I appreciate the wonderful work you are doing.Many will benefit from the information here.Please kindly clarify if a private high school would be registered as a sole proprietorship by the owner and any other legal requirements in running a private school.thanks,my email
    [email protected]

    • To register a private high school, you will need to acquire a letter from Ministry of Education in order for Company Registry or Huduma Centre to process your business registration.

  58. thanks. it was helpfull

  59. Hi Kiprono,
    I think I have gotten most of the details I needed if not all. Could you redirect me to an article you ave written about Writing A Business Plan, if at all there’s any? I’d really appreciate.

    • At the moment, I have not yet written articles on “Business Plan”, but I will be writing some articles about it in the future since many readers are requesting for guidance on business plan.

  60. At huduma centre how much does it cost sole proprietorship registration? What about kra returns tozero? Email me [email protected]

  61. Chrisantus Ochieng

    Hallo Enock,I’m currently in college doing Electrical and Electronics,my father had a company with the name Marembo Electrical Agencies but since his death everything stopped,is there apossibility that I can re-register the company and run it again and in that case what are the requirements? I’m eagerly waiting to hear from you.

  62. Thank you for your guidance. Kindly send me the details required to register a limited liability company…and the financial requirements too. Keep up the good job.

    • Hello Davis, we have sent you the information to your gmail account. Please check and respond so we can assist you to register your company for you.

      • leonard kipchumba

        Hi ,
        Need to register consultancy farm. How much does it cost from scratch to web designing and operating it?

      • Hello Good afternoon to you please send me the total amount for the registration of a limited liability company plus creation of my company website

    • Hello sir…would you kindly forward me the details required to register a limited liability company…and the financial requirements too. as your forwarded by Enock Kiprono

  63. nicholas k maritim

    tell me the difference between sole propriator company and private limited company and which is the best. Send me also the details of how to register a company and the cost

    • Nicholas, limited company may be more tax efficient than other business structures such as sole proprietorship or partnership.

      Sole Proprietorship requires only 1 person to start while Limited Company requires at least 2 people. Limited Company is a legal entity whose liability is limited by shares while Sole proprietorship doesn’t have any share structure.

      Under the limited company structure, your company and personal finances are kept separate, unlike the sole trader structure. A limited company is owned by its shareholders.

  64. Hi. Would like to register a compamy that will deal in all sort of tenders. I. e supplies, provision of labour etc. Kindly assist to know which will best suit this suggestions

  65. Thanks a lot for your information

  66. Very informative, please forward the limited company details to my email

  67. Thanks for the good work you are doing.Would you please help me on how to register a limited company.

  68. hi…thanks for the good job you are doing…now my question is in registering a partnership apo kwa nature of busines ndo stress ..considering i want to venture in tenders (goods supply)how do I avoid limiting myself with a certain line of product?

    • Stephen, the challenge now when it comes to registering sole proprietorship or partnership, you are limited to how many business activities you can list on the application form. However, if you register a limited company, you won’t be limited and you can put as many business activities as you want.

  69. James karanja gititi

    This is a good idea…helping fresh minds into business….thanks alot to all concerned

  70. please help me to understand the diffrence between asole propriater company and alimited company interms of cost

    • Businesses opt for Limited companies for a number of reasons – it may look more ‘professional’, it may help if you need to raise external finance, and it may be more tax efficient than other business structures such as sole proprietorship or partnership.

      Sole Proprietorship requires only 1 person to start while Limited Company requires at least 2 people. Limited Company is a legal entity whose liability is limited by shares while Sole proprietorship doesn’t have any share structure.

      Under the limited company structure, your company and personal finances are kept separate, unlike the sole trader structure. A limited company is owned by its shareholders.

  71. Can i open a sole proprietor company with my personal PIN number?

  72. Learnt a lot from you. Be blessed

  73. Hello,
    Is it possible for me to register sole proprietor business?
    Abraham.

  74. hi,I am planning to start a cleaning co.what is the requirements Mr.Kiprono

  75. Hi Enock thank you for the information that u have provide us on your web site. i would like some advice on applying for opening a solo proprietor company. i would like to open a supply company and follow all the legal channels. kindly advice me more on the matter.

  76. Hi guys…

    Thank you for the good work. I realized that you no longer offer sole proprietorship advise and assistance anymore. I have registered my business as sole but wanted to know how i can get KRA PIN and certificate to start operating.. Do you know where I can get such vital information if you no longer provide it?

    Evans

    • Hello Evans, Did you want to apply for KRA PIN for sole proprietor business? Please note that the sole proprietor business does not require to apply for separate KRA PIN because you can use your personal KRA PIN individual for your sole proprietor. Hope that helps!

  77. I would like to register a limited company. Your assistance required.

    Thanks

  78. Hi, I wish to register a sole proprietorship business,could you kindly advice me on the
    same regarding where to register,how long does it
    takes and the cost. kindly email more details.
    Thnks inadvance.

    • Hello Abraham, If you go to Huduma Center near your locality, you should be able to register your sole proprietorship business at around Ksh. 1,000 (Name Search – Ksh. 150 & Registration process – Ksh. 850).

      • Hi, i just want to register my business under sole proprietorship but i don’t know much can cost me and how long will it take. also which process can i follow to accomplish it. Looking forward for your response
        thank You.

  79. Hi sir,
    I wish to start a construction firm, what is the help your team can offer?

  80. kindly explain benefits of soul proprietor company

  81. Hi, I wish to register a business as a sole
    proprietorship,could u kindly advice me on the
    same regarding where to register,how long it
    takes and the cost. kindly email me details

  82. Hi,Your article is very informative..I would like to inquire about supplies..you mentioned in your article than can can’t register under general supplies.I would like to register a business for supplies mostly to the govt tenders…Under what should I register my business..i hope to supply anything I can reach easily. please reply on email [email protected] Thanks

  83. lawrence mwangi

    plz send me sole proprietorship registering form and can i own a company if its a limited without partners

  84. lawrence mwangi

    hello,how much is paid to register an
    ”investiment company,and wat is compliance.
    my email, [email protected]

  85. Kindly Mail me financial requirements as a sole proprietor

  86. send me how to form a business enterprise in Kenya and the total amount required. my subject is stationary distribution.

  87. Pls. kindly send me the details on the requirements of a sole proprietorship and partnership.

  88. Hi i need to register my sole proprietorship kindly forward to me registration forms and requirements to [email protected]

  89. Hi im interested in forming a sole proprietor company doing web design and animation. Where do I get the forms? [email protected]

  90. I’d like to start a webhosting business,kindly assist me with the details on legal requirements(as in documentation) to [email protected]

  91. hi, i need to register my sole proprietorship kindly forward to me registration forms and requirements to [email protected].

  92. kindly send me the details on the requirements of a sole proprietorship and partnership please ASAP.
    Also the process of getting the business PIN.
    at [email protected]

  93. would appreciate details on the followings;
    sole proprietorship, partnership and limited company. Interested in partnership and or limited company and to compare cost [email protected]

  94. Victor Matakaya Shilisia

    Kindly can you use a sole proprietor to do different contracts.
    thanks [email protected] More information about ltd and sole

  95. kindly send me the details onn the requirements of a sole proprietorship
    [email protected]

  96. I am currently running a sole proprietor business and would like to sell the business complete with the name. How do I go about transferring the name to the new ownwr?

  97. Thank you for the insights,please advise on documents needed to register a sole proprietorship company and the cost.your quick response will be appreciated.send to [email protected]

    • Hello Elizabeth, Thanks for your question. I would recommend you register with Huduma Center since we no longer offering sole proprietorship registration service. We only do limited company registration.

  98. How much do you charge to register a limited liability company business?

  99. Thanks guys for the good job. I wish to register a sole proprietorship company, kindly give me more details on registration, tax payment etc. write to me [email protected]

  100. Thank you for the great work u guys are doing. I am interested in starting a sole proprietorship company, What is the cost of starting one and how soon do you start paying taxes
    email: [email protected]

  101. wycliffe luhatse

    i wish to start a construction company what do i need?

  102. hi,

    l want to register a business and would appreciate getting all the requirements for both sole proprietor and partneship to my mail [email protected]

  103. Please send me the requirements for registering a company, and also the difference between sole proprietorship & limited company, the cost of registration on both cases and why one would be more apt than the other. [email protected]

  104. hi sir i wud like 2 seak your guidance in registering a sole proprietor company

  105. much appreciation on this information. kindly what are the requirements and documentations for search and registration of business (sole proprietor). Can one do this at the huduma centre? what are the current charges? email; [email protected]

  106. hello
    much appreciation for you your good effort at enlightening kenyans
    kindly share the information on what is required–my email: [email protected]

  107. could you assist me with details on requirements for this process. thank you. My email is [email protected]

  108. can i also get details of registering a partnership company and all the requirements,thanx

  109. Hi, i lreally like the information on the site, really helpful…i wanted to ask about compliance certificate, i’ve seen that in order to apply for tenders, you are required to provide a compliance certificate, could you please expound on twhat this is and how one can go about acquiring one, thanx in advance. and kindly share with me your email address, i have a myriad of business related questions i would like aired which i know would also be beneficial to your site and other readers like me.

  110. Felix mwendwa kithome

    write to me on,[email protected]

    • Hello Felix,I have just sent you an email. Check both your inbox or spam folder. Subject of the email is “Sole
      Proprietorship – Getting Started (Requirements & Cost)”

  111. Felix mwendwa kithome

    i want to register a business name as a sole proprietor,could u kindly advice me on the same regarding where to register,ho long it takes and the cost

  112. Felix mwendwa kithome

    hello guys? this s a very transforming sharing site

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