Biz Brokers Kenya offers affordable, reliable, and efficient company registration and compliance services in Kenya. Whether you are a Kenyan citizen or a foreign national interested in setting up a company in Kenya.
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Company registration requirements in Kenya

You require the following to register a company in Kenya.

1. Proposed company names.- 3 names in order of priority.
2. Objectives of the Company.
3. Contact information of all the directors and shareholders which include the following: - Postal addresses, email addresses, Telephone numbers and Residential addresses
4. Division of shares between the shareholders.
5. Proposed Physical address of the company. The Physical Address includes road, plot number, town, county.
6. Contact information of the company which include the following: - Company Postal address, Company email address, Company Telephone number and Physical address of the company.
7. Copy of Kenya national ID for local directors and shareholders or copy of Passport for foreign Directors and shareholders
8. Passport photos of the Directors and shareholders
9. PIN number of the Directors and shareholders.
10. For foreign-owned companies. Appointment of a Certified company secretary
11. Where a foreign company is a shareholder in the company, a certified copy of the certificate of incorporation of the foreign company.

How to register a LLC in Kenya: Steps.

Limited company registration in Kenya is done Online via the eCitizen BRS platform. To make an application for registration of a limited company involved the following procedure and processes.

1. Name Search In the BRS portal, Provide three names in order of preference for search and reservation. The registrar shall approve whichever name is available and proceed to register the company.
2. Submission of forms and documents. Complete and upload all company registration applications forms which include the following. Form CR1, Form CR 2, Form CR 8, Statement of Nominal capital of a company, Form BOF1 Beneficial owner details passport photos of the Directors and Passport scan for foreign Directors
3. Payment Payment of the application fees is then done via the BRS portal.
4. Registration Once all the requirements are uploaded and payment done, The application goes through the registration process.
5. Certificate of incorporation If the application is successful you shall be issued with your Certificate of Incorporation which is evidence of a legally registered company in Kenya.

Company Registration forms explained.

1. Statement of Nominal Capital Form: The Statement of Nominal Capital outlines the nominal capital shares of the company. The form must be signed by a director, shareholder or secretary of the company.
2. Form CR1: Company Registration Form: Form CR1 requires detailed information about the company’s directors, secretary, and authorized signatories. Details to Include.
   • Names of directors.
   • Directors designation in the company.
   • Directors postal addresses.
   • ID card or passport numbers.
   • Nationality of each director.
   • Telephone numbers.
   • Email addresses.
   • Name and designation of the person making the application.
3. Form CR2: Company Memorandum of Association: The CR2 form specifies details about the company’s shareholders and shareholding structure. Details Include,
   • Name of each shareholder in the company.
   • Passport photo of each shareholder.
   • ID card or passport number and KRA PIN of each shareholder.
   • Postal address of each shareholder.
   • Occupation of each shareholder.
   • Number of company shares taken by each shareholder.
   • Nominal value of shares taken.
   • Class or type of shares taken.
   • Rights attached to each class of shares (if any).
   • Signatures of all shareholders.
   • Signature of the person completing the form.
4. Form CR8: Notice of Residential Address Form: Form CR8 declares the residential addresses of company directors. Details to Include.
   • Name of director.
   • Current residential address of the director.
   • Residence locality, district, and county.
   • Contact details. Postal address, telephone number and email of the person lodging the notice.
   • Signature and capacity of the person lodging the notice.
   • Date of submission.
5. Form BOF1 - Beneficiary Owners Form: The Beneficiary Owners Form identifies individuals who have control or ownership in the company. Required Information include.
   • Full name of each beneficiary owner.
   • ID card or passport number of each beneficiary.
   • Personal Identification Number (PIN).
   • Nationality and date of birth.
   • Residential and postal addresses.
   • Current email address and telephone number.
   • Occupation of the beneficiary owner.
   • Link of beneficiary owner with the company.
   • Nature of ownership or control.
   • Source of beneficiary ownership information.
   • Details of the person lodging the form (name, ID card, address, signature, capacity, and date).

Completing these forms accurately is necessary for successful company registration in Kenya. Ensure all forms are signed and submitted with the necessary supporting documents to avoid delays. .

Certificate of incorporation Kenya

Upon a successful application for registration of a company, the registrar of companies shall the issue the applicants with a certificate of registration of the company which is the official and conclusive evidence of registration of the company. The certificate of incorporation contains the following.

1. Name of the company.
2. Registration Number of the company.
3. Date of registration.
4. Official Seal.

Cost of registering a company in Kenya

The cost of opening a Limited company in Kenya is KES 10,850.
This covers the application for registration, name search and the certificate of incorporation.

How long is the process of company registration?

The company registration process in Kenya typically takes 7 to 14 business days if all documents are in order and there are no delays with approvals.

List of documents required for company registration?

1. Recent passport photos of the directors and shareholders.
2. Scan of passport for foreign directors and shareholders.
3. Certified copy of certificate of incorporation if the share holder is a company.
4. Application for registration forms.
   • CR 1
   • CR 2
   • CR 8
   • Statement of nominal capital
   • BOF 1

Do foreign owned companies require a local shareholder or director in Kenya?

No, it is not mandatory to have a local shareholder or director to register a company in Kenya. Foreign nationals can fully own and direct a company. Where there is no local director / shareholder, a Certified Secretary can be appointed.

How Many Shareholders Are Required to Start a Company in Kenya?

To register a company in Kenya, a minimum of one shareholder is required. There is no upper limit to the number of shareholders, but for a private company, the total number of shareholders must not exceed 50.

How much should the share capital of a company in Kenya have?

There is no minimum share capital required to register a company in Kenya. However a Nominal capial of KES 100,000 is generally used.

Company Bank account in kenya?

Any company may open a business bank account in Kenya. The central bank KYC regulations however require the directors / shareholders of foreign owned companies in Kenya to have immigration status in form of a work or investor Permit.

Types of Companies in Kenya.

1. Private Limited Company : Can be owned by individuals or other companies and offers limited liability protection to its shareholders.
2. Public Company: This typically offer shares to the public and are often listed on the stock exchange. Must have at least seven shareholders and a minimum of two directors.
3. Company Limited by Guarantee. - A Company Limited by Guarantee does not have share capital but instead guarantees each member’s liability.
4. Foreign Company. - A Foreign company in is a company registered in a foreign country and issued with a certificate of compliance, which enables the foreign company to conduct business in Kenya.

Online company registration in kenya

We provide time tested and reliable Limited Liability company registration consultancy services all over Kenya. As leading LLC Registration agents in Kenya, Biz brokers offers affordable front to end service to both individuals and corporates alike.