Kenya Company Incorporation Guide
Incorporate your business in Kenya with confidence. Explore private and public limited companies, branches of foreign companies, LLPs, sole proprietorships and NGOs. Our step-by-step guide ensures seamless legal setup. Contact us today.
Key Insights into Company Incorporation in Kenya
Incorporating a business in Kenya transforms your operation into a legally recognised entity—offering credibility, limited liability, and access to finance. At Maxishr Consultants Ltd, we guide you through every step, ensuring you understand the types of business structures available and what’s required for each.
Kenya offers a range of incorporation options, tailored to varying business goals—from small startups to large-scale enterprises or non-profits. Whether you’re looking to establish a separate legal entity for liability protection, set up a branch of an international company, or launch a mission-driven organisation, this guide outlines your options clearly and strategically.
Key Benefits of Incorporation
Legal recognition & credibility
– enhances trust among clients, investors, and partners
Limited liability
– shareholders’ personal assets are protected
Access to finance
– banks and investors favour incorporated entities
Tax and structural clarity
– predictable liabilities and stronger governance
Perpetual succession
– business continuity despite ownership changes
other outsourcing & business services
Why Maxishr Consultants Ltd Should Assist You
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Company Incorporation in Kenya
While you can self-incorporate a company using the eCitizen platform, the process can be complex due to legal requirements, document preparation, and compliance regulations. Errors may cause delays or rejection by the Registrar of Companies. By working with Maxishr Consultants Ltd, you benefit from professional guidance, accuracy, time savings, and full compliance. This ensures your incorporation is completed correctly the first time.
The cost of company incorporation in Kenya depends on the type of entity, nominal share capital, and statutory filing fees. Typically, incorporation costs range from KES 20,000 to KES 50,000 for most private limited companies. Additional services such as legal drafting, tax registration, and compliance support may increase the overall cost. Maxishr Consultants Ltd provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Foreign investors must provide notarized copies of their passports, recent passport-sized photographs, proof of residential address, and details of local representatives or directors in Kenya. They may also need to obtain work permits or special passes depending on their level of involvement in daily operations. At Maxishr Consultants Ltd, we assist with compliance, work permit applications, and incorporation documentation to make the process seamless.
Kenya recognizes several forms of incorporation depending on the nature and size of your business. These include:
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Private Limited Company (Ltd)
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Public Limited Company (PLC)
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Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
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Sole Proprietorship
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Branch of a Foreign Company
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Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or Non-Profit Company
Maxishr Consultants Ltd guides you in choosing the right structure based on your business goals.
On average, company incorporation in Kenya takes 5 to 10 working days, depending on the accuracy of the documents and workload at the Registrar of Companies. Delays often occur when shareholder information or supporting documents are incomplete. Working with Maxishr Consultants Ltd significantly reduces processing time because we ensure all documents are correct, compliant, and ready for submission.
The process begins with a name search on the eCitizen platform to ensure your preferred name is available. Once approved, incorporation documents such as the Memorandum and Articles of Association, statement of nominal capital, and shareholder details are prepared. The documents are then submitted to the Registrar of Companies for approval. After verification and payment of the statutory fees, a Certificate of Incorporation is issued. Maxishr Consultants Ltd assists in managing this process end-to-end, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
