How to Register a Company in Kenya via eCitizen (2026 Steps)
To register a company in Kenya in 2026 you apply entirely online through eCitizen and the Business Registration Service (BRS), and this guide walks you through every step, the official KES 10,650 fee, and the timeline. The whole process is digital, can be done from anywhere including the diaspora, and a private limited company can be approved in as little as 3 to 5 working days. You do not legally need a lawyer to do it yourself.
The quick answer: the registration process
Registering a private limited company on eCitizen follows these steps:
- Create an eCitizen account using your ID and KRA PIN.
- Open BRS / Companies Registry Services from your dashboard.
- Start a new application and select “Private Limited Company.”
- Submit 3 to 5 proposed names in order of priority (name search is now merged into the application).
- Fill in company details including business activity, registered office and contacts.
- Add directors, shareholders and beneficial ownership details.
- Download, sign, scan and re-upload the generated forms (CR1, CR2, CR8, Statement of Nominal Capital).
- Pay the invoice (KES 10,650) via M-Pesa, debit or credit card.
- Wait for Registrar review and download your Certificate of Incorporation when approved.
What you need before you start
Have these ready so the application goes smoothly in one sitting:
- An active eCitizen account (create one at accounts.ecitizen.go.ke).
- 3 to 5 proposed company names, in order of priority, each ending in “Ltd” or “Limited.”
- The company’s business activity and a registered office address in Kenya.
- Director and shareholder details (a private company needs a minimum of one director and one shareholder, who can be the same person).
- KRA iTax PINs for the directors and shareholders.
- A recent colour passport photo and a copy of each ID or passport.
There is no minimum share capital requirement for most private limited companies, and you can own 100% of the shares as a single member under the Companies Act 2015.
Step-by-step on eCitizen
Step 1: Log in and open BRS
Sign in to eCitizen, and from your dashboard open BRS or Companies Registry Services. If prompted, use the account switcher to select your personal account, then proceed.
Step 2: Start the application and submit names
Click “Make Application” and select “Private Limited Company.” Enter a minimum of three and up to five names in order of priority. The Registrar will approve the first available, compliant name. The old separate name-search step has been merged into this application, so you no longer pay for it separately.
Step 3: Enter company and ownership details
Fill in the business activity, contacts and registered office address. Then add the directors, shareholders, the shareholding split, and the beneficial ownership information. Accuracy matters here, because mismatched or unclear ownership details are the most common reason applications get returned.
Step 4: Handle the generated forms
The system generates statutory forms, including CR1, CR2, CR8 and the Statement of Nominal Capital. Download these, sign them, scan them clearly in colour, and re-upload them. Blurry scans cause delays, so use clean, legible files.
Step 5: Pay and submit
Pay the portal invoice, KES 10,650 for a standard private limited company, using M-Pesa, debit or credit card. Always treat the live invoice as the final amount, since it can vary slightly with your filing details.
Step 6: Download your certificate
Check your Application History regularly. Once the Registrar approves, you download your Certificate of Incorporation, which is your company’s legal birth certificate.
Costs and timeline at a glance
| Item | Cost (KES) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private limited company registration | 10,650 | Official BRS fee; covers filing and certificate |
| Business name (sole proprietorship) | 950 | Cheaper alternative, name search merged in |
| Limited Liability Partnership | 25,000 | For LLP structures |
| Foreign company branch | 7,550 | Plus document certification costs |
| Professional / agent fees (optional) | 10,000 to 30,000+ | Only if you hire a lawyer or agent |
The timeline for a complete, error-free private limited company filing is typically 3 to 5 working days for the certificate. If you self-register, your total realistic cost is around KES 10,650 to 15,000.
What to do after incorporation
A Certificate of Incorporation alone does not let you legally trade. To become fully operational, you still need to:
- Register for taxes with KRA (corporate tax, VAT and PAYE where applicable). BRS now integrates with KRA for the company PIN.
- Get a county single business permit for your premises and activity.
- Register for SHIF, NSSF and PAYE if you will employ staff.
- Open a business bank account, for which banks usually request a CR12 (an official registry search confirming directors and shareholders).
- Obtain any sector licence your specific business requires.
Common reasons applications get rejected
Save yourself a delay by avoiding these:
- Name issues (already taken, too similar, or missing “Ltd”/”Limited”).
- Mismatched director or shareholder details.
- Incomplete beneficial ownership information.
- Unsigned forms or blurry, unreadable scans.
- Inconsistencies in the shareholding split.
The bottom line: registering a company in Kenya in 2026 is genuinely a do-it-yourself online process. Prepare your three to five names, your directors’ KRA PINs and IDs, file on eCitizen, pay the KES 10,650, and you can have a Certificate of Incorporation within a week. Just remember that incorporation is step one; the tax, permit and bank steps that follow are what make the company ready to actually trade.
For the official portal and live fees, use eCitizen and the Business Registration Service, which always show the final payable invoice. To understand the tax obligations your new company takes on, read our guide on how to file KRA returns in 2026, and for more guides and analysis across Kenya and Africa, visit the K-One Media homepage.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm current fees and steps on the live eCitizen/BRS portal before filing.