Company & Business Registration in Kenya

Private and public limited company incorporation at the Business Registration Service, branch office registration for foreign companies, LLP formation, partnership registration, NGO and PBO registration under the Public Benefit Organizations Act, society and trust formation, KRA PIN registration and statutory employer registration (NSSF, SHIF, NITA). End-to-end company set-up in Kenya, typically completed within 7–14 working days.

What we advise on. We handle entity formation and registration of every kind: private and public limited companies, branch offices for foreign companies, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), partnerships, societies, trusts, and not-for-profit vehicles registered as Public Benefit Organizations under the Public Benefit Organizations Act. We complete the supporting registrations — KRA PIN, NSSF, the social health insurance scheme (SHIF) and NITA — so a new entity is operational, not just incorporated.

Governing law and regulators. Our work is grounded in the Companies Act 2015, the Limited Liability Partnership Act, the Business Registration Service Act and the Public Benefit Organizations Act, with filings through the Business Registration Service (BRS) and the eCitizen platform. We also handle beneficial-ownership registration as now required.

Who we act for. We act for foreign investors establishing a Kenyan presence, local entrepreneurs and SMEs, NGOs and development partners, and groups setting up holding or special-purpose vehicles. We make set-up fast and correct, so clients can focus on launching rather than on paperwork.

Why OLM for business registration. Set-up errors surface later as financing, tax and compliance problems. We get the structure, the registrations and the beneficial-ownership position right from day one, and we hand over an entity that is ready to bank, hire and trade.

New to incorporation in Kenya? Read our step-by-step company registration process, covering name reservation, incorporation forms, beneficial-ownership filing, fees and the documents you need.

Company Registration & Incorporation in Kenya

Business Set-Up for Foreign Investors in Kenya

Corporate Advisory & Regulatory Compliance

Business registration in Kenya: business names, permits and company set-up

Business registration in Kenya covers more than incorporating a company. A sole trader or partnership can register a business name for a small official fee, while a limited company, LLP or branch is a fuller set-up filed at the Business Registration Service on eCitizen. Choosing the right vehicle at the outset matters, because a business name gives no separation between the owner and the venture, whereas a company is a separate legal person with limited liability. Our business lawyers in Nairobi advise founders on which route fits the plan and handle the filing end to end. For the company route, see our detailed guide to company registration in Kenya.

Registration is only the first step to trading legally. Every physical premises needs a county single business permit, usually renewed each year, and the fee depends on the county, the type of activity and the size of the business. On top of that a new entity needs a KRA PIN, and employer registrations for NSSF, SHIF and NITA once it hires. We complete a business name or company registration and the permits and statutory registrations that follow, so a Nairobi or upcountry business is compliant from day one rather than trading on paperwork that is not yet in order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does company registration take in Kenya? The official Business Registration Service timeline is 3 to 5 working days for a private limited company once a complete application is lodged. We manage the full process on eCitizen, including the registrations that follow.

What else do I need to know? Foreign ownership rules, the registrations a new company needs beyond incorporation, and how a company differs from a business name are all covered in our company registration FAQ.

Explore Related Services

Industry sectors we advise in this area: NGOs & Development Partners · Technology & Telecoms

Related practice areas: Corporate & Commercial · Company Secretarial

Guides & FAQs: Company Registration in Kenya · Cost of Company Registration · Checking a Company is Registered (CR12) · Registering as a Foreigner · Registration Requirements · Partnership & LLP Registration · Annual Returns · Beneficial Ownership Filing · Shareholders Agreements

See also: Representative Matters · Our Lawyers · All Practice Areas