Registering a private limited company in Kenya through the government's eCitizen portal costs about KES 10,650 in 2026, covering name reservation and the Business Registration Service (BRS) filing fee for standard share capital. That figure is only the government side of the bill — most founders also pay for KRA PIN setup, a county business permit, and often an advocate to draft the memorandum and articles correctly the first time.
- Standard eCitizen company registration in Kenya runs about KES 10,650 in 2026, including name reservation.
- Registering a business name (sole proprietorship) instead costs roughly KES 1,000 in government fees.
- BRS fees and stamp duty rise once nominal share capital goes above KES 100,000.
- Advocate fees for drafting and filing sit outside the government fee and vary by firm.
- Lex Africa connects founders with LSK-verified advocates for a fixed 15-minute consultation on registration structure.
Why this matters
Founders budget for the eCitizen fee and then get surprised by everything downstream of it. Lex Africa hears the same question from diaspora Kenyans and first-time founders alike: the portal number is real, but it is not the whole cost of getting a company legally operational in 2026.
The gap shows up in three places. A business permit from your county government is a separate line item and the amount depends on your business category and premises. Stamp duty on share capital rises once you go past the KES 100,000 nominal threshold most small companies register at. And if you want the memorandum, articles, and shareholder agreement drafted so they actually protect you — not just filed — that's advocate time, priced separately from anything the government charges.
How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya?
Here's the breakdown for a standard private limited company with nominal share capital at or below KES 100,000, filed through eCitizen in 2026:
| Item | Cost (KES) |
|---|---|
| Name search and reservation | 150 |
| Company registration (BRS filing fee) | 10,000 |
| Certificate of incorporation | Included in registration fee |
| CR12 company search (optional, post-registration) | 550 |
| Total government fee | ~10,650 |
That total does not include KRA PIN registration (free, but a separate step on iTax), NSSF and NHIF/SHA employer registration once you hire staff, or your county's single business permit. Advocate fees for drafting and filing sit on top of the government number and are quoted per engagement rather than fixed by statute.
“If your nominal share capital stays at KES 100,000 or below, the government portion of registering a company in Kenya costs about KES 10,650 in 2026 — everything past that is professional fees and permits.”
Business name (sole proprietorship): about KES 1,000
A sole proprietorship or business name registration is the cheapest way to trade legally in Kenya in 2026. The BRS fee is roughly KES 1,000 total — name search plus registration — but a business name doesn't create a separate legal entity, so you're personally liable for the business's debts. Best for solo consultants, freelancers, and small traders who don't need limited liability yet.
Private limited company: about KES 10,650
This is the default structure for most founders, and it's where the KES 10,650 figure applies. A private company gives you limited liability, can open a corporate bank account, and can raise investment or take on partners cleanly. Best for anyone hiring staff, signing supplier contracts, or planning to bring in investors.
Company limited by guarantee: same government schedule, different paperwork
A company limited by guarantee — used for nonprofits, foundations, and membership associations — runs through the same BRS fee schedule as a private company, but with different constitutional documents and no share capital to base stamp duty on. If the entity is actually an NGO rather than a company, the process and fees differ; see the dedicated breakdown on how long NGO registration takes in Kenya for that path.
Why the total varies
The eCitizen number stays close to KES 10,650 for most founders, but several factors push the real cost higher:
- Nominal share capital above KES 100,000 — stamp duty scales up with higher authorized capital.
- County business permits — fees differ by county and business category, and this is a separate payment from BRS.
- Advocate or professional drafting fees — quoted per engagement, not fixed by the government schedule.
- Rejected or resubmitted name reservations — a name that's too similar to an existing company means a second search fee.
- Foreign shareholders or directors — added documentation (certified copies, translations) can mean extra notarization costs.
- Post-registration compliance — KRA PIN is free, but NSSF, NHIF/SHA, and business permit registrations each carry their own timelines and, in the case of the permit, their own fee.
Get the registration structure right
Talk through share capital, structure, and next steps with an LSK-verified advocate.
Is registering a business name cheaper than a company in Kenya?
Yes, a business name costs about KES 1,000 in government fees versus roughly KES 10,650 for a private limited company in 2026. The tradeoff is liability: a business name doesn't separate you legally from the business, so your personal assets are exposed if the business runs into debt or a lawsuit.
Do I need a lawyer to register a company in Kenya?
No, the law doesn't require an advocate to register a company in Kenya, and the eCitizen portal is built for self-filing. Where an advocate earns their fee is in getting the memorandum, articles, and shareholder terms right before you're locked into them — mistakes here are expensive to unwind later, and cost varies by firm and complexity.
How long does it take to register a company in Kenya?
Registration timing depends on document accuracy and name availability rather than the fee amount, so it's worth reading the full timeline breakdown separately rather than guessing at days here.
FAQ
How much does it cost to register a company in Kenya in 2026?
A standard private limited company costs about KES 10,650 in government fees through eCitizen in 2026, covering name reservation and the BRS registration fee. Advocate fees, county business permits, and NSSF/NHIF employer registration sit outside that number.
Is company registration in Kenya free?
No, company registration in Kenya is not free — the BRS filing fee alone is about KES 10,000, plus KES 150 for name reservation. KRA PIN registration is the one step that is free.
What's the cheapest way to register a business in Kenya?
A business name (sole proprietorship) is the cheapest option at roughly KES 1,000 in government fees in 2026, compared to about KES 10,650 for a private limited company. It comes without limited liability protection.
Does stamp duty add to the cost of registering a company in Kenya?
Yes, stamp duty applies to nominal share capital and increases once you register above KES 100,000 in authorized capital. Most small companies register at or below that threshold to keep stamp duty minimal.
Do I need an advocate to register a company in Kenya?
No, registration itself doesn't legally require an advocate, but drafting the memorandum, articles, and shareholder terms is where legal review pays off. Fees for that work are quoted per engagement rather than set by government schedule.
Can I register a company in Kenya from abroad?
Yes, diaspora Kenyans can register a company in Kenya remotely through eCitizen using certified identification documents. The government fee stays the same at about KES 10,650 in 2026; the added cost is usually document certification.
Is a business permit included in the company registration fee?
No, a county business permit is a separate cost from the roughly KES 10,650 BRS registration fee. Permit fees vary by county and by business category.
How much do lawyers charge for company registration support in Kenya?
Advocate fees for registration support in Kenya are quoted per engagement and are not set by a fixed government schedule. Rates depend on the complexity of the shareholder structure and how much drafting is involved.
One last thing
The eCitizen account you use to register your company is the same one that handles your KRA PIN application — most founders don't realize the two are linked until they're already logged in, which saves a step most guides don't mention. If your business will operate with more than one shareholder, get the shareholder agreement reviewed before you file, not after: a signed but poorly drafted agreement is far more expensive to fix in 2026 than it would have cost to get right at registration.
