How to register a business in Kenya – 6 steps

This article is about how to register a business in Kenya. We have already shared on how to register a limited company in Kenya. This article aims simplifying the process of registration for you into 6 basic steps. The Kenya Business Registration Services Act 2015 aims to facilitate the operation of businesses in the country. The business registration service is based in Nairobi but has branches in all counties for easy access to services. In essence, this means that services such as business creation, business name registration and partnerships are transferred to counties promoting business ideas/local legal entities, reducing registration and operational costs.

Registration of a business in Kenya involves:

Reserving your company name

company registration

Taxpayer registration

Obtain a unified business permit

National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF)

Registration with the National Social Security Fund

How to register a business in Kenya

STEP 1: Reserving your company name

• Sign up for eCitizen
• Request and pay for company name search
• Get your company name reserved

STEP 2: company registration

• Apply and pay for company registration
• Submit signed application forms
• Obtain company registration documents.

step 3: Taxpayer registration

• Request your Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) business PIN.
• Submit KRA PIN Confirmation Receipt
• Get the company’s KRA pin

STEP 4: Obtain a unified business permit

• Verification of business application permit
• Evaluation of the commercial license fee
• Get the invoice for the business license fee
• Pay licensing fees and obtain a unified business permit

STEP 5: National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF)

• Apply for employer registration with NHIF
• Get your NHIF employer code

STEP 6: Registration with the National Social Security Fund

• Apply for NSSF employer registration
• Obtain your NSSF registration certificate