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How to Register a Business in Kenya: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
You can register a business in Kenya online through the Business Registration Service (BRS) on eCitizen. According to the BRS FAQ, a business name costs KES 950 and a private limited company costs KES 10,750, and both applications end with an M-Pesa payment prompt on your phone.
Check the portal before you pay. Fees and forms change. Pay only the amount shown inside your eCitizen application, and be careful with agents who ask for extra money for a simple online application. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Business name or limited company: which one?
| Option | Suits | Fee in the BRS FAQ | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business name | One owner (sole proprietor) or partners starting small | KES 950 | A business name is not a separate legal entity, so the owner stays personally responsible for the business's debts. |
| Private limited company | Founders who want a separate legal entity, investors or larger contracts | KES 10,750 | Directors and shareholders must be registered on iTax, and each must upload a recent colour passport photograph. |
If you are unsure which to choose, ask a lawyer or accountant about liability and tax for your situation before you apply.
What to have ready
- Your national ID (or passport) details.
- A KRA PIN. KRA lists business name registration among the transactions that need one. If you do not have one yet, follow our KRA PIN guide first.
- A phone number that can receive an M-Pesa prompt, and an email address you can open.
- Three to five name options, listed in order of priority.
- A clear description of what the business does, plus its physical and postal addresses.
- A way to sign, scan and upload the registration form. A phone camera scan works.
For a company you also need the details of every director and shareholder, their iTax registration, and a passport photograph for each.
How to register a business name on eCitizen
- Log in to eCitizen and open the Business Registration Service (BRS) portal.
- Choose Companies Registry Services, then Make Application, then Registration of a Business Name.
- Enter three to five preferred names in priority order. Make them clearly different from each other, because a near copy of a rejected name can fail too. Search Google, social media and M-Pesa till names first to avoid clashes.
- Fill in the business details: what the business does, its addresses, the owner or partner details and the KRA PIN.
- Sign and upload the form. The system generates a registration form. Sign it, scan it and upload it. Check that names, ID numbers and signatures are readable.
- Submit and pay. Approve the M-Pesa prompt on your phone (KES 950 in the BRS FAQ) and save the receipt.
- Wait for approval. The BRS fee schedule lists a timeline of one day. Allow longer if the name is queried or rejected.
- Download your certificate. In the portal open Application History, open your application, then choose View and Download. Save a copy in at least two places.
How to register a private limited company
- Log in to the BRS portal on eCitizen and choose Private Limited Company.
- Enter three to five preferred company names in priority order.
- Enter the company's general details.
- Enter the directors' and shareholders' details, upload a recent colour passport photograph for each person and state the shareholding.
- Download the auto-generated forms, sign them, scan them and upload them.
- Check everything, submit, and pay the service fee (KES 10,750 in the BRS FAQ).
Company registration involves a share structure and legal documents, so many founders ask a lawyer or company secretary to review them before submitting.
After you register: five things to do next
- Tax: confirm your KRA PIN details and find out which taxes apply to your business. Our iTax guide covers returns and Turnover Tax.
- County permit: apply for a Single Business Permit from your county. Rules and fees differ by county and by type of business.
- Bank account: banks usually ask for your registration certificate, ID, KRA PIN and business address.
- Sector licences: food, health, beauty, transport and other regulated businesses may need extra approvals.
- Records: track sales, expenses and invoices from the first day. KRA checks business expense claims against eTIMS invoices, so use eTIMS-compliant invoices.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a name that is too generic or too close to an existing one, so it is rejected.
- Typing ID or PIN details that do not match your records.
- Paying an agent far more than the portal fee for a simple application.
- Skipping the county permit because the certificate feels like enough.
- Saving the certificate in only one place.
Frequently asked questions
How long does registration take?
The BRS fee schedule lists one day for a business name. Allow extra working days if the name is reviewed or rejected, or if the portal is slow.
Can I register from my phone?
Yes. eCitizen works in a mobile browser and the M-Pesa prompt arrives on your phone. You still need a way to scan the signed form.
Why do some websites quote KES 1,050 or KES 1,950?
Some sites quote higher amounts that may be out of date or may include agent or convenience charges. Pay what the official application shows.
Do I need a lawyer?
A business name is a self-service application. A company involves share structure and legal documents, so many founders get professional help.
Registered? Now get your first customers
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