How to Strike Off a Company in Kenya Through eCitizen (2026)

Q: How do I voluntarily strike off a company in Kenya?

Yes, you can voluntarily strike off a company in Kenya if it meets the requirements under the Companies Act, 2015. Under Section 897, the application is made to the Registrar on behalf of the company by its directors or a majority of its directors. The company must also meet the relevant conditions before the application can proceed.

Q: What happens when a company is struck off in Kenya?

When a company is successfully struck off the Companies Register, it is subsequently dissolved and ceases to exist as a separate legal entity. However, strike-off does not necessarily remove existing liabilities, and certain liabilities of directors, managing officers or members may continue after dissolution.

Q: Does striking off a company in Kenya automatically deregister the company’s KRA PIN?

No. Striking off a company through BRS does not automatically deregister its KRA PIN. The company must separately address its KRA tax affairs, including any outstanding returns or liabilities, and complete the appropriate KRA tax closure or deregistration process where applicable.

Q: Can I, as a company director, just quit and walk away from the company?

No. Simply stopping operations or resigning as a director does not automatically close the company. If you are a director of a company that is no longer needed, you should properly address the company's status. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve bringing company records up to date, settling outstanding obligations and applying for strike-off, or considering winding up or liquidation where strike-off is not appropriate.

Q: How much does it cost to strike off a company in Kenya?

As of 2026, the BRS government fee for company dissolution through the strike-off process is KES 4,000. If you engage a professional company secretarial firm such as M&A Registrars, a separate professional fee will apply for assistance with the strike-off process. The total cost will therefore depend on whether you apply yourself or use professional assistance.

September 25, 2026

Estimated Read time: 3 Mins

Table of Contents

Introduction
What Is Strike Off of a Company in Kenya?
Who Can Apply to Strike Off a Company in Kenya?
Different Ways to Strike Off or Close a Company in Kenya
Before You Apply for Strike Off of a Company in Kenya
What Documents Are Required to Strike Off a Company in Kenya?
When Can You Strike Off a Company in Kenya?
How Much Does It Cost to Strike Off a Company in Kenya?
How to Strike Off a Company in Kenya Through eCitizen
How Long Does It Take to Strike Off a Company in Kenya?
What to Do After Striking Off Your Company in Kenya
What Happens If You Strike Off a Company in Kenya?
FAQs on How to Strike Off a Company in Kenya
Recommended Articles
Final Thoughts on Strike Off of a Company in Kenya
Need Help With Striking Off a Company in Kenya?

Introduction

If you are wondering how to strike off a company in Kenya, the process is fairly straightforward when your company is dormant, has no unresolved liabilities, and is no longer carrying on business.

You can apply to have your company removed from the Companies Register through eCitizen and the Business Registration Service (BRS).

But before you start deregistering a company in Kenya, it is important to make sure that your company is ready for strike-off.

So, if you have an old company that you no longer use and you are thinking, “How do I close this company properly?”, let’s walk through it.

In this guide by M&A Registrars, we’ll take you through how to strike off a company in Kenya through eCitizen, what you need before applying, the BRS fees and timelines, and the steps involved so you can understand what to expect and avoid common mistakes.

Need help striking off your company in Kenya?

M&A Registrars can help you review your company records, prepare the required documents, and guide you through the BRS and eCitizen process.

Book a Free Consultation with M&A Registrars Today WhatsApp

What Is Strike Off of a Company in Kenya?

Strike off of a company in Kenya is the process of removing a company’s name from the Companies Register when the company is no longer operating and there is no intention to continue its business.

For a company that is dormant, has no outstanding liabilities, and has no unresolved affairs, voluntary strike-off can provide a simpler way to bring the company to an end.

It is useful to understand the difference between strike-off, dissolution, and liquidation, as these terms are often used interchangeably but do not mean the same thing:

Term	What It Means
Strike-off	The process of removing a company’s name from the Companies Register.
Dissolution	The legal result of the company being brought to an end after it is struck off.
Winding up/ Liquidation	A formal process for dealing with a company’s assets, debts, creditors and other affairs before the company is dissolved.

In simple terms, strike-off of a company in Kenya is generally intended for a company that is no longer operating and has a clean record of affairs.

If your company has outstanding debts, assets, employees, disputes or other unresolved obligations, strike-off may not be the appropriate route, and a formal liquidation or another closure process may need to be considered.

In the next section, let’s look at when a company can be struck off in Kenya and the checks you should make before applying.

Who Can Apply to Strike Off a Company in Kenya?

If your company is no longer operating and you want to close it formally, the directors can apply to the Registrar to have the company struck off the Companies Register.

Under Section 897 of the Companies Act, 2015, an application for voluntary strike-off is made on behalf of the company by its directors or a majority of its directors.

This means that if you are a director of a company that has stopped trading and you want to bring the company to an end, you can initiate the strike-off process.

However, being a director does not automatically mean that the company qualifies for strike-off. There are specific conditions that need to be met before the application can be made.

Different Ways to Strike Off or Close a Company in Kenya

There is more than one way a company can come to an end in Kenya.

The right process depends on the company’s circumstances, particularly whether it has outstanding assets, debts, creditors or other obligations.

Process	Who Initiates It?	When is it generally used?
Voluntary strike-off	The company, through its directors or a majority of its directors.	Where the company is no longer operating and has no unresolved assets, liabilities or other matters that need to be dealt with.
Strike-off by the Registrar	The Registrar of Companies.	Where the Registrar has grounds to believe that the company is no longer carrying on business or is not in operation.
Winding up/ Liquidation	The company, its members, creditors or another party as permitted by law.	Where the company has assets, debts, creditors, employee obligations or other affairs that need to be dealt with before the company is dissolved.

The key point is that voluntary strike-off is not simply a way of walking away from a company’s debts or obligations.

If there are outstanding matters to be dealt with, a formal winding up or liquidation process may be more appropriate.

For this guide, we are focusing on voluntary strike-off through eCitizen and BRS, which is generally relevant to companies that have ceased operating and meet the requirements for strike-off.

Before You Apply for Strike Off of a Company in Kenya

Before you go to eCitizen to apply for strike-off, take a moment to check that your company is ready.

This is an important step because dealing with outstanding compliance issues before submitting the application can help you avoid unnecessary delays, additional costs and complications during the process.

Here are some of the key things to check:

What To Check	What You Should Do
1. KRA tax position	Check the company’s KRA PIN and tax status and make sure there are no outstanding tax liabilities or unresolved compliance issues. Where applicable, also check whether there are any outstanding matters relating to the directors that could affect the closure process. Striking off a company at BRS does not automatically close its tax affairs with KRA.
2. Annual returns	Check that the company’s annual returns are up to date with BRS. If there are outstanding returns, you may need to file them and deal with any applicable penalties before proceeding. It is therefore a good idea to review your BRS records before starting the application.
3. Board resolution	The company should formally approve the proposed strike-off. You should have the appropriate board resolution authorising the company to proceed with the application. Depending on the circumstances, additional resolutions or supporting documents may also be required.
4. Outstanding obligations	Check whether the company has any debts, creditors, employees, assets, ongoing contracts, disputes or other unresolved obligations. Strike-off is generally intended for companies whose affairs have been settled and which are no longer carrying on business.
5. Company records	Review the company’s BRS records and company information to make sure the details are accurate and up to date before submitting the application.
6. Linking your company	If your company was registered before 2017, please make sure that you have linked it to your Ecitizen Account before commencing the strike-off process.

Important:

Do not treat strike-off as a way of simply walking away from outstanding debts or obligations.
If the company still has unresolved affairs, you may need to consider another closure process.

If you want to learn more about keeping your company records up to date, see our guide on Filing Annual Returns in Kenya.

At M&A Registrars, we can help you review your company records, prepare the relevant company secretarial documents and guide you through the BRS and eCitizen strike-off process.

Our role is to help you make sure your company is properly prepared before the application is submitted.

Not sure if your company qualifies for strike-off?

M&A Registrars can help you assess your company's readiness, address outstanding compliance issues, and prepare your strike-off application.

Book a Free Consultation with M&A Registrars Today WhatsApp

What Documents Are Required to Strike Off a Company in Kenya?

Once you have confirmed that the company is ready for strike-off, the next step is to prepare the information and documents required for the application.

For a typical voluntary strike-off application, you should have the following ready:

Document/ Information	What You need to Provide
1. Company Registration number	The company’s registration number as recorded with BRS.
2. Company details	The company’s current registered details, including its name and other information held by BRS.
3. Director details	Details of the company’s current directors as recorded in the BRS records.
4. Board or members’ resolution	The relevant resolution formally approving the company’s proposed strike-off, where required.
5. CR18 – Application for strike-off	Form CR18, being the application by the company to have its name struck off the Companies Register. The form is provided through the Registrar/BRS process.
6. CR19 – Notice of resolution	Form CR19, being the notice of the relevant resolution. This is also provided through the Registrar/BRS process.
7. Annual returns information	Details confirming the company’s annual returns and compliance position.
8. Assets and Liabilities	Information confirming whether the company has any outstanding assets, debts or other liabilities.
9. Creditors, Employees and other parties	Information relating to any creditors, employees or other parties who may have an interest in the company’s affairs.
10. Other supporting documents	Any additional documents or information that BRS may request based on the company’s circumstances.

CR18 and CR19 are particularly important to understand. BRS lists CR18 as the application by a company to have its name struck off the Register and CR19 as the notice of the relevant resolution.

The exact documents and information required can vary depending on the company’s circumstances. It is therefore a good idea to review your BRS records and company affairs before starting the eCitizen application.

At M&A Registrars, we can help you review the company’s records, prepare the relevant documentation and guide you through the strike-off process from preparation to submission.

When Can You Strike Off a Company in Kenya?

This is one of the most important parts of the strike-off process.

Before applying, you should make sure that your company is genuinely suitable for voluntary strike-off and that it meets the requirements under the Companies Act.

The Three-Month Rule

Under Section 898 of the Companies Act, 2015, there are certain circumstances that can prevent an application for voluntary strike-off from being made or dealt with.
In particular, the company should not have done certain things during the three months immediately before the application, including:

Activity	What It Means
Changed its name	The company has changed its registered name within the relevant three-month period.
Carried on business or trading	The company has continued to conduct business during the relevant period.
Disposed of property	The company has disposed of certain property for value in circumstances covered by the Act.

Other Things to Check

Even where the three-month conditions are satisfied, you should also review the company’s affairs before applying.

Check	What to look for
1. Assets	Does the company still own property, money, investments or other assets?
2. Debts and liabilities	Are there any outstanding loans, suppliers’ balances or other amounts owed?
3. Employees	Are there unpaid salaries, benefits or other employment obligations?
4. Creditors	Does anyone have an outstanding claim against the company?
5. Contracts	Are there ongoing contracts, leases or other commitments?
6. Tax matters	Are there outstanding KRA liabilities, returns or unresolved tax issues?
7. Disputes or proceedings	Is the company involved in any court case, dispute or other legal proceedings?
8. Other obligations	Are there any other unresolved matters that need to be dealt with before the company closes?

If any of these matters exist, do not assume that strike-off is automatically available. First establish whether the matter needs to be resolved or whether another closure process, such as winding up or liquidation, may be more appropriate.

The aim is to make sure that the company is genuinely ready to be struck off before you submit the application through eCitizen.

How Much Does It Cost to Strike Off a Company in Kenya?

As of 2026, the current BRS government fee for company dissolution through strike-off is KES 4,000. The stated BRS timeline is 90 days, subject to the application meeting the requirements.

Cost	Amount
BRS Government fee	KES 4,000
Professional fees	Depends on the services required and the professional firm engaged e.g *M&A Registrars*

Additional costs may apply if the company has pending annual returns, registry penalties, record updates, KRA compliance issues or other matters that need to be addressed before the application.

So before asking “How much does it cost to strike off a company?”, it is also important to ask:

“Is my company ready to be struck off?”

Being prepared can help you avoid unnecessary costs and delays.

To check out other BRS fees as of 2026 check out our simple guide on BRS Business Registration Fees in Kenya

How to Strike Off a Company in Kenya Through eCitizen

So, how do you actually strike off a company in Kenya through eCitizen?

While the exact requirements can depend on your company’s circumstances, the process can generally be broken down into six key steps:

Step	What you need
1. Check your company records and compliance	Review your company’s BRS records, including directors, shareholders, beneficial ownership information and annual returns. Also check the company’s KRA PIN and tax position and address any outstanding compliance issues.
2. Confirm the company is eligible for strike-off	Make sure the company is no longer operating and check whether it has any assets, debts, creditors, employees, disputes or other outstanding obligations. If it does, consider whether strike-off is the appropriate closure process.
3. Approve the strike-off	Formally approve the proposed closure through the appropriate board resolution or other required resolution. Prepare the supporting company documents required for the application.
4. Prepare and submit the application	Prepare the CR18 – Application by Company to Have Its Name Struck Off the Register, together with the required information and supporting documents. Submit the application through the eCitizen/BRS platform and pay the applicable BRS government fee.
5. Notify relevant parties and allow for objections	The application must be brought to the attention of relevant persons as required by the Companies Act, including members, employees, creditors and directors. This gives interested parties an opportunity to raise an objection where appropriate.
6. Gazette notice and dissolution	The Registrar publishes the relevant notice in the Kenya Gazette. Subject to the applicable statutory period and there being no valid objection preventing the process, the Registrar may strike the company’s name off the register. The company is then dissolved in accordance with the Companies Act.

How Long Does It Take to Strike Off a Company in Kenya?

If you are asking how long it takes to strike off a company in Kenya, BRS currently gives a timeline of approximately 90 days for the dissolution of a company.

This also aligns with the Companies Act requirement for the relevant Gazette notice and statutory waiting period before the company can be struck off.

If your company is compliant, the application is properly prepared and there are no objections or queries, you should therefore plan for approximately 90 days.

However, outstanding annual returns, KRA issues, incomplete company records or other compliance matters may extend the overall timeline.

What to Do After Striking Off Your Company in Kenya?

Having your company struck off at BRS is an important step, but there may still be a few matters to tidy up.

What To Check	What You Should Do
KRA PIN and tax affairs	Remember that BRS strike-off does not automatically deregister the company’s KRA PIN. Address any outstanding tax returns or liabilities and, where applicable, complete the appropriate KRA deregistration or tax closure process.
Bank accounts	Check whether the company still has a corporate bank account and arrange for its closure where appropriate.
County licenses and permits	Close any county business permits, licences or other local registrations that are no longer required.
Statutory registrations	Review registrations such as NSSF and any other statutory accounts linked to the company and deal with any outstanding obligations.
Payment and merchant accounts	Close or deactivate payment gateways, merchant accounts and other financial platforms registered in the company’s name.
Other subscriptions and registrations	Cancel business software, subscriptions, memberships and any other registrations that are no longer required.

Remember: BRS and KRA Are Separate

The key point is simple: striking off a company at BRS and deregistering its KRA PIN are separate matters.
Make sure both sides of the company’s compliance affairs are properly addressed rather than assuming that the BRS strike-off automatically closes everything.

What Happens If You Strike Off a Company in Kenya?

Once a company is struck off and dissolved, it generally ceases to exist as a separate legal entity.

However, strike-off does not necessarily erase existing liabilities. Under Section 897 of the Companies Act, 2015, the liability of directors, managing officers and members may continue despite dissolution.

For this reason, strike-off should not be used as a way to avoid creditors, tax obligations or other outstanding liabilities.

If your company has unresolved obligations, make sure you address them or consider whether another closure process is more appropriate before applying for strike-off.

FAQs on How to Strike Off a Company in Kenya

1. How do I voluntarily strike off a company in Kenya?

Yes, you can voluntarily strike off a company in Kenya if it meets the requirements under the Companies Act, 2015.
Under Section 897, the application is made to the Registrar on behalf of the company by its directors or a majority of its directors.
The company must also meet the relevant conditions before the application can proceed.

2. What happens when a company is struck off in Kenya?

When a company is successfully struck off the Companies Register, it is subsequently dissolved and ceases to exist as a separate legal entity.
However, strike-off does not necessarily remove existing liabilities, and certain liabilities of directors, managing officers or members may continue after dissolution.

3. Does striking off a company in Kenya automatically deregister the company’s KRA PIN?

Striking off a company through BRS does not automatically deregister its KRA PIN.
The company must separately address its KRA tax affairs, including any outstanding returns or liabilities, and complete the appropriate KRA tax closure or deregistration process where applicable.

4. Can I, as a company director, just quit and walk away from the company?

Simply stopping operations or resigning as a director does not automatically close the company.
If you are a director of a company that is no longer needed, you should properly address the company’s status.
Depending on the circumstances, this may involve bringing company records up to date, settling outstanding obligations and applying for strike-off, or considering winding up or liquidation where strike-off is not appropriate.

5. How much does it cost to strike off a company in Kenya?

As of 2026, the BRS government fee for company dissolution through the strike-off process is KES 4,000.

If you engage a professional company secretarial firm such as M&A Registrars, a separate professional fee will apply for assistance with the strike-off process. The total cost will therefore depend on whether you apply yourself or use professional assistance.

Final Thoughts on Strike Off of a Company in Kenya

If you have a company that you no longer use, strike off of a company in Kenya can be a straightforward way to formally close it, provided the company meets the requirements.

Before you apply, take a moment to check:

Are your annual returns up to date?
Are there any outstanding BRS compliance issues?
Are there any KRA liabilities or unresolved tax matters?
Does the company have any assets or debts?
Have the required resolutions and documents been prepared?
Are there any creditors, employees, disputes or other outstanding obligations?

Once these matters are clear, you can determine whether deregistering your company in Kenya through eCitizen and BRS is the appropriate route.

Remember, stopping business operations does not automatically close a company. Properly dealing with the strike-off process helps ensure that the company’s BRS records and other relevant obligations are properly addressed.

Need Help With Striking Off a Company in Kenya?

Not sure whether your company qualifies for strike-off or need help with the BRS and eCitizen process?

M&A Registrars can assist with reviewing your company records, preparing the required resolutions and documents, and guiding you through the strike-off process.

Need help striking off your company in Kenya?

Contact M&A Registrars today to book a free first Consultation.