Have A Business in Kenya? Here Is How to Register It
In the past going through the process of registering a company in Kenya was tedious, costly, very long and challenging. As a result of this, many entrepreneurs who had startup businesses, gave up halfway. This occurrence, led to the government of Kenya on the 15th of October 2017, simplifying the entire procedure for the registration of companies. With that and for the first time, registering a business now costs far less, and can be done in only 3 simple steps. What is more, you can do so from the comfort of anywhere in your home, as long as you are connected to the internet.
Here is how:
The Process
To register a company in Kenya, you are required to register with three primary government entities which are National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Ensure that you have created an account on the eCitizen platform as you will not be able to use the site without your log in.
Once, log in and select ‘Business Registration Service’ via ‘Make Application’. Next, you will choose the type of business you are looking to register, as well as your preferred business name. You will be required to conduct a business name search on eCitizen to ensure your business name is not already taken. The name search costs 150ksh.
The name search is processed within a day. However, only one name can be submitted at a time. Processing is carried out Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 5pm excluding public holidays.
You will have to keep checking the eCitizen website, as Name search approval is not communicated via email.
Requirements for Registering a Company
- A duly filled company registration form CR1
- Filled details of the directors and shareholders. (You can register a company with one individual being both the shareholder and director).
- Scanned copies of I.D.
- Director(s) and shareholder(s) must be registered on the iTax platform.
- Fill Shareholding details.
- Fill a notification of director’s residential address (Form Cr8).
- Fill the statement of nominal capital.
Registrations takes a week. Your certificate will be available on the eCitizen platform for download.
Sole proprietorships and partnerships can also be registered, provided they have:
- Filled BN2 form.
- Valid ID card or passport.
- KRA PIN certificate.
- Coloured passport photographs of the sole proprietor or partners.
Registration for sole proprietorships and partnerships, also take a week. Certificates will be available on the eCitizen platform for download.
In addition to the 150ksh for the name search, company registration costs 10,650ksh, while partnerships and Sole Proprietorships cost 1000ksh.
Affordable right?
And that is all you need for your business to be legal and fully registered.
