Services

Company Registration in Kenya

Capital: Nairobi.
Official languages: Swahili, English.
Currency: Kenyan shilling.

Tariffs
Карта Company Registration in Kenya
16% VAT
30% Corporate Tax
5% Dividends Tax
100 KES Minimum Capital
25% On income over KES 1 million

Company registration provides the following benefits:

 

  • Simple registration procedure.
  • Developing economy.
  • Access to the East African market.
  • Possibility of 100% foreign ownership.

Kenya is a country located in equatorial Africa. It borders Ethiopia in the north, Uganda and Sudan in the west, Somalia in the east, and Tanzania in the south. In the southwest it is washed by the Indian Ocean.

 

Registering a company in this country is relatively simple, and compliance with the laws ensures stability and security for the business.

Taxation and Reporting Features in Kenya

Corporate Income Tax:

  • Standard rate: 30%
  • Reduced rate for newly listed companies: 25%
  • Tax incentives for EPZ companies: 0% for first 10 years

VAT:

  • Standard rate: 16%
  • Zero-rated for exports
  • Exemptions on essential goods

Dividends:

  • 5% withholding tax for residents
  • 10% for non-residents

Company registration in Kenya is conducted through the eCitizen platform, managed by the Business Registration Service under the Office of the Attorney General. The chosen company name must be reserved and approved through this online system.

To register a company, an application signed by the directors must be submitted, outlining essential details about the company. It should include necessary documents such as the memorandum of association, company registration form, copies of identification documents, and KRA PIN certificates of directors and shareholders.


After incorporation, company registration details are published in the Kenya Gazette. Registration with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is also required to finalize the process.

At the time of registration, the company must have:

  • A KRA PIN number, which is essential for tax purposes and opening a bank account.
  • A memorandum and articles of association certified by a lawyer or notary public.
  • A statement of nominal capital and shares distribution among shareholders.
  • Payment receipt for the statutory registration fees.

PLC or LLP in Kenya

  • Limited liability protection
  • Minimum 1 director / 1 shareholder
  • Simple business structure
Public Limited
$3 000
Annual expenses: ~$4,500

Company Registration in Kenya

Corporate Tax 30% Standard rate for resident companies
VAT 16% Applicable on most goods and services
Dividends 5% Withholding tax on dividends
Capital Gains 5% Applicable to the sale of property
Withholding Tax Various Rates Depends on the nature of payment
Property Tax Varies Based on location and property value

Additional information

Reporting
Confidentiality
  • Financial reporting: Annual financial statements mandatory
  • Audit: Required for public companies
  • Annual Return: Due within 6 months of the fiscal year end
  • Tax return: Corporate tax return filed annually
  • Employer's Return: Necessary if employing staff
  • Registers: Must maintain registers of shareholders and directors
  • Directors' details Available to the public
  • Shareholders' details Accessible in the public registry
  • Financial reporting Kept confidential

Timeline and Stages

  • 01

    Preparation of documents and choosing a company name

    1-2 days
  • 02

    Conducting a name search at the Kenyan Companies Registry

    1 day
  • 03

    Submitting documents either online or offline

    1 day
  • 04

    Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration

    2-3 weeks
  • 05

    Setting up a corporate bank account

    2-4 weeks

The bottom line

The process of registering a company in Kenya can take several weeks and it is imperative that you comply with all requirements and laws. Competent legal support can significantly facilitate the entire process and ensure correct compliance with all rules and regulations. Our company offers comprehensive support for the company at all stages - from registration to full support of its activities. In addition to assisting with the legal registration of a company, we also handle a number of related tasks.

 

In particular, our scope of services includes maintaining accounting and tax records, providing nominee directors and shareholders, leasing a legal address, and obtaining all necessary licenses and permits for the company. We actually ensure the full operation of the business in accordance with a particular jurisdiction's laws.

Cost calculation

Add the required options for your company:

Итоговая стоимость ( база $3000 + доп):
$3000

FAQ

Can you register a company remotely?

Yes, in most cases — you can.

Remote company registration is available in the vast majority of popular jurisdictions today. Modern corporate services, electronic document management and professional registered agents make it possible to complete the entire registration process without being physically present in the country.

The process typically works as follows: you provide the required documents electronically, sign them remotely — via a notary, apostille or electronic signature — and a local registered agent handles all communication with government authorities and document submission on your behalf.

This has been made possible by several factors: most countries allow foreign founders and directors, corporate service providers operate remotely across the globe, and the digitisation of government registries has significantly streamlined and accelerated the procedures.

The one step that may still require in-person presence is opening a corporate bank account — however, even here many banks and fintech platforms now offer remote identity verification.

What documents are needed for registration?

Registering a company in most jurisdictions requires a standard set of documents. For individuals — founders and directors — the typical requirements include: a certified copy of a passport, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement no older than 3 months), and in some cases a bank reference letter or CV.

For corporate shareholders, the required documents include: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and shareholders, and confirmation of the ownership structure.

Do I need to keep accounting records and submit reports?

Accounting and reporting requirements vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In most countries, companies are required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements and submit tax returns.

At the same time, there are a number of jurisdictions where reporting requirements are minimal or effectively non-existent for non-resident companies. These include, for example, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Panama, Belize, Seychelles and Vanuatu — in these countries, companies that do not conduct business within the territory of the registration state are generally exempt from mandatory financial reporting and audit requirements.

We provide full company administration services, including preparation and submission of annual reports, liaison with local authorities and ensuring full compliance with all corporate requirements of the jurisdiction.

Is it possible to open a bank account for a company?

Yes, opening a corporate bank account is possible for virtually any jurisdiction, however this process deserves careful attention. Today businesses have two main options: traditional banks and fintech platforms.

Traditional banks offer a full range of financial services, but account opening requirements have become increasingly stringent — KYC procedures, source of funds confirmation, business plans and in some cases in-person presence may be required. Fintech platforms — such as Wise, Airwallex, Revolut Business and others — open accounts significantly faster and remotely, making them a popular solution for international companies at an early stage.

Is it possible to use nominee directors?

Yes, the use of nominee directors and shareholders is a common and legitimate practice in international corporate structuring. A nominee director is formally listed in the company registry but acts exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner, providing an additional layer of privacy.

This service is particularly in demand in jurisdictions where information about directors and shareholders is entered into a public register — for example, in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Malta and a number of other EU countries. In offshore jurisdictions, nominee services are also widely used to simplify corporate governance and protect ownership structures.

We provide nominee director and shareholder services for any jurisdiction we work with.

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