A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Register a Company in Kenya

Getting a business or a company registered in Kenya is not a task for the impatient or faint-hearted but well, don’t good things come to those to wait?

Well, at an era when even the politicians we gave jobs by queuing at night to vote them in are telling us to create jobs and stop wasting time knocking onto offices as there are no jobs, one ought to think outside the box.

Forming a company in Kenya is not an easy task but it is possible and that’s all that matters, ’it is possible’. Below is a simplified process of how to register a company in Kenya, step by step.

1. Get the official name of the company

Get several names that seem unique to get a clearance that the name you go for is not already registered.

The name you wish to register for your company might be accepted or rejected depending on whether it already exists. It takes two days to know to have the name you suggest to have registered analyzed.

After the name is approved, the new company’s name is normally out in three days.

2. Get a lawyer

Professional lawyers are said to be expensive, it is, however, important to get one to take you through all the required paperwork such as crafting a Memorandum and Article of Association and Statement of Nominal Capital.

The details required in the documents used in the registration of new company shareholders, number of shares, business purposes, regulations and authorized funds of your business among others.

3. Pay the Stamp Duty

Before you can register a company in Kenya, you are required to pay the stamp duty.

The stamp duty is dependent on the company’s registered capital; with the minimum amount being 2,140 shillings if the registered budget is 2,000 shillings.

4. Fill form #201

Process number four requires one to fill form #201where you are expected to provide details such as the location of your company’s main office and sign at the end if you are the director.

5. Fill form #203

Form #203 requires one to fill the list of the company’s declared directors and managers and must include the secretary’s stamp at the end of the form.

6. Fill form #208.

Form #208 is a compliance form that needs to be signed by a commissioner of oath.

The Commissioner of oath is a person authorized to verify written statements, as well as other legal documents.

7. Take all the Listed Documents to the Registrar’s office

All the documents, duly filled and signed as stated above should at this point be taken to the Registrar’s office where one then pays the registration tax.

8. Go pick the Certificate of Incorporation

It takes 21 days, from the date of paying the registration tax, to have the Certificate of Incorporation.

9. Compile copies of Documents

Ensure to make a copy of all the documents filled and signed and compile them into a file to keep copies for future reference.

In the era of technology, it would also be wise to scan ALL the documents and send them to your email.

10. Build Your Business, Follow your Passion

It is not all easy as listed in the steps; the verification of the suggested name alone could be frustrating before one can get on unregistered name, so brace, it is all worth it by the end.

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