Registering a Company in Kenya: Complete Beginner’s Guide (2026)

Q: How can I register a company online in Kenya?

You can register a company online in Kenya through the Business Registration Service (BRS) on the eCitizen platform. The process involves name reservation, submitting incorporation documents, and paying the prescribed government fees. Many people also choose to use professional firms to handle the filing and ensure compliance with the Companies Act 2015.

Q: What is the difference between LLC and LLP in Kenya?

In Kenya, the structure most similar to an LLC is a private limited company (Ltd). An LLP, or Limited Liability Partnership, is a partnership structure rather than a company and is commonly used by professional firms such as law or audit practices. Most other businesses, including SMEs and startups, are registered as private limited companies.

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

The cost of registering a company in Kenya depends on several factors, including the company’s share capital, whether professional services are used, and whether there is foreign ownership. Government filing fees are set by the Business Registration Service, while professional fees vary depending on the service provider.

Q: What are the major types of company registration in Kenya?

The main types of companies that can be registered in Kenya include a Private Limited Company (Ltd), Public Limited Company (PLC), Company Limited by Guarantee, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), and a Branch of a Foreign Company. Each type has different legal requirements and compliance obligations.

Q: Can I register a company in Kenya as a foreigner?

Yes. Foreign nationals can register a company in Kenya by incorporating a local private limited company or registering a branch of an existing foreign company. Foreign-owned companies must comply with Kenyan statutory requirements, which may include appointing local representatives where required.

Q: What is the minimum number of people required to start a company in Kenya?

Only one director and one shareholder are required to register a company in Kenya. The same individual can act as both the director and the shareholder.

Q: Which law governs company registration in Kenya?

Company registration in Kenya is governed by the Companies Act 2015, which sets out the rules on incorporation, shareholding, directors, and ongoing compliance obligations.

February 5, 2026

Estimated Read time: 4 Mins

Introduction: What does registering a company in Kenya really mean?

If you are planning to start a business in Kenya — whether it is a small shop in Gikomba, a consultancy in Westlands, a tech startup in Nairobi, or an online business serving clients abroad — your first legal step is registering a company in Kenya.

Simply put:

Registering a company in Kenya means officially creating your business under the law so that it is recognised by the Government of Kenya and the Registrar of Companies.

Once you complete the process, your business becomes a separate legal entity under the Companies Act 2015.

This beginner-friendly guide by M&A Registrars explains everything you need to know about Registering a company in Kenya in plain language — including the types of companies, requirements, costs, timelines and how foreigners can register companies in Kenya.

Let’s get started.

Thinking of registering your company in Kenya?

M&A Registrars can guide you step by step to register your business smoothly, efficiently, and fully compliant with Kenyan law.

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Table of Contents

What are the types of companies registered in Kenya?
Procedure for registering a company in Kenya
What are the requirements to register a company in Kenya?
How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya?
How long does it take to fully register a company in Kenya?
FAQs on registering a company in Kenya
Final Thoughts
Next Steps – Talk to M&A Registrars

What are the types of companies registered in Kenya?

Before you start registering a company in Kenya, you must choose the type of company you want.

The table below explains each option in very simple terms.

Type of company	What it means	Who it is best for	Simple Kenyan example
Private Limited Company (Ltd)	A separate legal business owned by shareholders. Your personal property is protected if the business gets into debt. This is the most common option when *registering a private limited company in Kenya. Learn more in our full guide on* *registering a private limited company in Kenya*.	SMEs, startups, family businesses and consulting firms	You and your business partner want to open a digital marketing agency in Nairobi. A private limited company is usually the best option.
Public Limited Company (PLC)	A company that can raise money from the public by offering shares. It has stricter legal and reporting requirements.	Large companies planning to attract public investors	A large manufacturing company planning to list shares and expand operations across Kenya.
Company Limited by Guarantee	A company without shareholders. Instead, members guarantee a small amount if the company closes. Profits are not shared.	NGOs, foundations and professional associations	A non-profit organisation supporting youth training in Kisumu.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)	A business structure that combines partnership flexibility with limited liability protection.	Law firms, audit firms and consulting partnerships	An accounting and advisory firm formed by three professional partners in Nairobi.
Branch of a Foreign Company	A registration for an already existing foreign company that wants to operate in Kenya without forming a new local company. This option is common when *registering a company as a foreigner. If you are setting up a local Kenyan company owned by a foreign parent company, read our guide on* *registering a subsidiary in Kenya*.	Foreign companies expanding into Kenya	A UK-based logistics company opening a branch office in Mombasa instead of forming a new Kenyan company.

To learn more about all the available options and their legal differences, read our full guide on types of companies you can register in Kenya.

Procedure for registering a company in Kenya

The process of registering a company in Kenya is governed by the Companies Act 2015 and is done through the Business Registration Service (BRS).

Here is the simple step-by-step process.

Step 1: Log in to your eCitizen account and access BRS

First, log in to your eCitizen account.

After logging in:

go to the Business Registration Service (BRS) section, and
navigate to the option for registering a company.

You will then be asked to choose the type of company you would like to register (for example, a private limited company, a public company, or a branch of a foreign company).

Step 2: Choose and submit your company name

After selecting the type of company, you will be required to propose your company name.

Your proposed name must:

not be identical to an existing registered company name, and
not be misleading, offensive, or restricted.

You must submit three (3) proposed names in order of preference.

Step 3: Prepare and enter your incorporation details

You will then be required to provide the following information:

directors’ details
shareholders’ details
the shareholding structure (who owns what percentage)
the registered office address in Kenya

This information is used by the Registrar of Companies to create your official company records.

Step 4: Prepare your company constitution

Your company must have:

a Memorandum of Association, and
Articles of Association.

These documents explain:

what your company is allowed to do, and
how the company will be managed internally.

Note:

Instead of preparing these documents yourself, you can outsource this step to M&A Registrars.
We can draft your Memorandum and Articles of Association on your behalf and ensure they fully comply with the Companies Act 2015.

Step 5: Submit the application to the Registrar of Companies

Once all information and documents have been completed, submit your application online through the Business Registration Service (BRS).

The Registrar of Companies reviews your application and may request corrections if anything is missing or inaccurate.

Step 6: Pay the official BRS registration fee

After submitting your application, you will be prompted to pay the official registration fee directly to the Business Registration Service (BRS) through eCitizen.

The amount you pay depends on:

the type of company you are registering, and
the company’s share capital.

We have a separate article that clearly explains the official BRS fees for company registration in Kenya, so you can see exactly what the government charges before you pay.

Step 7: Receive your Certificate of Incorporation

After your application is approved, you will receive your official Certificate of Incorporation.

At this point, you have successfully completed registering a company in Kenya.

Not sure what you need to prepare to register your company?

M&A Registrars can help you gather all the documents, prepare your company constitution, and submit your application — making the process simple, fast, and fully compliant.

Book a Free Consultation with M&A Registrars Today WhatsApp

What are the requirements needed to register a company in Kenya?

To complete registering a company in Kenya, you will need the following information and documents.

Requirement	What you need to provide
Details of directors and shareholders	Full names, phone number, email address, physical address, and postal address for every director and shareholder
Identification documents	*Kenyan citizens:* National ID and KRA PIN *Foreign nationals:* Passport and (where applicable) KRA PIN This is especially important when *registering a company as a foreigner*
Shareholding structure	A clear breakdown showing who owns what percentage of the company
Registered office address in Kenya	A physical business address located in Kenya (building, street, and town)
Beneficial ownership information	Details of the real person(s) who ultimately own or control the company, as required under the *Companies Act 2015*
Company secretary (where applicable)	Appointment details of a certified company secretary. This is required if your company is a *public company* or if your *share capital exceeds KES 5 million*

How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya?

When it comes to registering a company in Kenya, the cost is made up of three main components:

1. Government fees

These are the official fees charged by the Business Registration Service (BRS) through eCitizen.

The amount depends on the type of company you are registering (private limited company, public company, or branch of a foreign company).

Tip: Check out our article on official BRS registration fees in Kenya for a full breakdown.

2. Share capital

Your company’s share capital is the total value of shares you plan to issue.

For example:

If you choose 100 shares at KES 100 per share, your total share capital is KES 10,000.
The amount of share capital you decide is payable directly to the government via BRS.

This step ensures that your company has a clear ownership structure and that you have allocated the shares among your shareholders.

3. Professional service fees

If you choose to outsource the registration process to a service provider like M&A Registrars, you will also pay a professional fee.

This fee covers services such as:

Preparing all incorporation documents, including the Memorandum and Articles of Association
Filing your application with BRS correctly the first time

Handling compliance requirements, including company secretary appointment where required.

How long does it take to fully register a company in Kenya?

On average, registering a company in Kenya takes about 3 to 7 working days

This depends on:

how fast your information is submitted
whether your documents are complete
whether the proposed name is approved without objections

FAQs on registering a company in Kenya

1. How can I register a company online in Kenya?

You can register your company online through the Business Registration Service (BRS) on the eCitizen platform.

Alternatively, you can use a professional firm like M&A Registrars, which handles the entire filing process for you, ensuring accuracy and compliance with the Companies Act 2015.

2. What is the difference between LLC and LLP in Kenya?

In Kenya, the most common structure similar to an “LLC” is a private limited company (Ltd).
An LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) is a partnership structure, not a company, mostly used by professional firms like law or audit practices.
Most other businesses, including SMEs and startups, use private limited companies.

3. How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya?

The total cost depends on:

Your share capital (how many shares you issue and their value)
Whether you use professional services to handle the registration
Whether you are a foreign applicant

At M&A Registrars, our company registration packages show all fees transparently, and you can request a customised quote online, which is returned within 48 hours.

4. What are the major types of company registration in Kenya?

The main types of companies you can register are:

Private Limited Company (Ltd)
Public Limited Company (PLC)
Company Limited by Guarantee
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Branch of a Foreign Company

Each type has different legal requirements, shareholding structures, and compliance obligations.

5. Can I register a company in Kenya as a foreigner?

Yes, foreign nationals can register a company in Kenya. You can either:

Incorporate a local private limited company, or
Register a branch of your existing foreign company

Foreign-owned companies must comply with local statutory requirements, including appointing a Kenyan director or company secretary where required.

6. What’s the minimum number of people required to start a company in Kenya?

You only need one director and one shareholder.
The same person can act as both director and shareholder.

7. Which law governs company registration in Kenya?

All company registrations in Kenya are governed by the Companies Act 2015, which sets out the rules for incorporation, shareholding, directors, and compliance obligations.

Final thoughts

Whether you are launching a fashion brand in Nakuru, opening a logistics company in Mombasa, or setting up a consultancy in Nairobi, registering a company in Kenya is the legal foundation for your business.

Registering your company allows you to: