How to Register a Limited Company in Kenya Online

How to Register a Limited Company in Kenya Online

Registering a limited company in Kenya online now takes around 3 to 5 business days through the Business Registration Service. Everything runs through eCitizen, and you can pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer, or card.

Step 1: Prepare Your Company Details

Before you start, settle on a company name and check it against existing registrations. The online process has merged name reservation with the main application, so you propose your names as part of the incorporation filing. Have ready the key details: directors' and shareholders' names, residential addresses, shareholding structure, and your registered office address.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Collect these documents before you file:

• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Director and shareholder identification (national ID, passport, or Maisha Namba)
• Residential proof for all directors
• Company secretary details (if appointing one)
• Proof of registered office address
• Details of beneficial owners

Step 3: File on eCitizen BRS

Go to ecitizen.go.ke and access the Business Registration Service portal. Create an account or log in. Complete your company registration form with all director, shareholder, and business classification details. Upload your documents in the formats the portal accepts. Double-check that names match across all documents and your proposed company name.

Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee

The official BRS fee for registering a private limited company is KES 10,650 as of July 2026. Payment is made through the eCitizen payment system (M-Pesa, bank card, bank transfer). Keep your payment confirmation for your records.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

BRS publishes a 3–5 day processing target for private limited company registration. In practice, applications that are fully prepared are often processed within 3 days. Incomplete applications can take weeks, as each query and response extends the timeline. You'll get an email when the Registrar approves your application. Download your Certificate of Incorporation from the portal.

Post-Registration: The Next Steps

Your certificate is just the beginning. You now need to register with three agencies before you can employ staff and trade properly.

Tax identification: Apply for a KRA PIN for your company on itax.kra.go.ke. The application is free on iTax but takes 1–3 days. You'll need this before you can issue invoices or open a corporate bank account.

Employee health insurance: Kenya replaced NHIF with SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) in October 2024 under the Social Health Insurance Act 2023. Register your company with the Social Health Authority (SHA) at sha.go.ke if you plan to hire staff. It is charged at 2.75% of gross monthly salary and must be submitted monthly by the 9th.

Pension contributions: Register with NSSF at nssf.or.ke. Your employees will contribute 6% of their earnings up to the upper limit, which you'll deduct from payroll monthly.

County permits: Visit your county government office to apply for a business permit. Processing times vary by county but typically take 7–14 days.

Bank account: Most banks now require your Certificate of Incorporation, KRA PIN, and a director's ID before opening a corporate account.

Common Delays and How to Avoid Them

Name objections happen when your proposed company name is too similar to one already registered. The Registrar will send you back to choose another. Make sure all your director names match exactly across your ID, your BRS application, and your incorporation documents—mismatches cause rejections.

Don't forget to declare beneficial ownership. The BRS now rejects applications without complete beneficial owner information. Upload all required documents in the portal's specified formats; blurry scans or wrong file types will be rejected.

If you need help navigating the BRS portal, document uploads, or post-incorporation setup, company registration experts on Kaziiko can guide you through each step and handle corrections if the Registrar raises queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole process take from start to finish?

BRS processing itself takes 3 to 5 days for a clean application. Add 1 to 2 weeks for document preparation before you file, then another 1 to 2 weeks to get your KRA PIN, open a bank account, and obtain county permits. Most founders report 3 to 4 weeks from first step to first invoice.

Can I register a company online by myself, or do I need a lawyer?

You can file online on your own if your ownership structure is straightforward and your documents are ready. However, many founders use verified business registration experts on Kaziiko to avoid mistakes that delay approval or cause rejected applications. Professional fees are separate from the KES 10,650 government registration fee.

What is SHIF and do I need to register my new company for it?

The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) is Kenya's mandatory health insurance scheme that replaced NHIF on 1 October 2024. It is charged at 2.75% of gross monthly salary under the Social Health Insurance Act 2023. You only register for SHIF once you hire your first employee. Self-employed founders can register voluntarily.

Where do I check if a company name is already taken?

Search existing company names on the BRS Companies Registry at brs.go.ke or through the eCitizen portal itself when you start your application. The portal will flag if your name is too similar to an existing one. If you are unsure, ask a registration expert to do a search before you commit to a name.