Business registration in Kenya
A friendly walkthrough of registering a business name or company through eCitizen and BRS.
Formal registration builds trust with investors and protects both of you. Here's the honest overview — a partner from our directory can help with the paperwork.
Sole proprietorship vs limited company
A registered business name (sole proprietorship) is fast and cheap — useful for very small operations.
A limited company (Ltd) separates you personally from the business, which most investors prefer when equity is involved.
The typical path
1. eCitizen account and Business Registration Service search for name availability.
2. Complete Form CR1 (company registration) or BN2 (business name).
3. Receive your certificate, then apply for a KRA PIN for the entity.
4. Open a business bank account under the entity's name.
Key ideas
- Ltd is preferred when equity is involved
- eCitizen and BRS handle the registration
- A legal partner can help you move fast
A gentle next step
Browse our Legal Partners directory and book a short consultation.
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