Company Secretarial
Outsourced company secretarial services delivered by ICPSK-qualified practitioners — board meeting administration, minute-taking, statutory register maintenance, annual returns and beneficial-ownership filings with the Business Registration Service, governance reviews and director-induction support under the Companies Act 2015 and the Code of Corporate Governance Practices for Issuers of Securities to the Public.
What we advise on. We provide outsourced company secretarial services delivered by ICPSK-qualified practitioners: board and committee meeting administration, agendas and minute-taking, maintenance of statutory registers, annual returns and beneficial-ownership filings, governance reviews and board evaluations, director induction, and ongoing compliance with the Companies Act and applicable governance codes. We act as named company secretary or support an in-house team.
Governing law and regulators. Our work is grounded in the Companies Act 2015, the regulations of the Business Registration Service, and the Code of Corporate Governance Practices for Issuers of Securities to the Public (the CMA Code) for listed and regulated entities. Our practitioners are members of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK).
Who we act for. We act for private companies, listed issuers, regulated financial institutions, NGOs and group holding structures. Clients use us to professionalise governance without the cost of a full-time in-house secretary, and to ensure statutory filings are never missed.
Why OLM for company secretarial. Governance lapses and missed filings carry real penalties and reputational cost. Our ICPSK-qualified team keeps boards compliant and well-run, and because we sit within a full-service firm, any issue that arises in a board meeting can be escalated to the right specialist immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Kenyan company need a company secretary? Every public company and every private company with a paid-up capital above the prescribed threshold must have a qualified company secretary. We act as named secretary or support an in-house function.
What are the annual filing obligations for a Kenyan company? Companies must file annual returns with the Business Registration Service, maintain a beneficial-ownership register, and — for companies with employees — keep payroll registrations current. We manage these obligations on behalf of clients so nothing is missed.
What is a beneficial-ownership register? Under the Companies Act 2015 (as amended), every company must maintain a register of persons with significant control — those who own more than 10% of shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercise significant influence or control. We create, maintain and file this register.
How often should a board of directors meet in Kenya? The Companies Act does not prescribe a minimum frequency for private companies, but good-governance practice and most articles require at least four meetings per year. Listed companies and regulated entities face more prescriptive requirements. We advise boards and manage meeting administration.