How to Register a Company Online in Kenya: The 2026 eCitizen Guide
The complete step-by-step guide to registering a limited company in Kenya via eCitizen — including what documents you need, what it costs, and the common mistakes that delay approval.
Kenya's Online Business Registration (OBR) portal has transformed company registration from a multi-week, agent-dependent process into something achievable from your phone in a single afternoon. The catch: the process has specific requirements that, if missed, cause rejection and start the clock again. This guide walks you through every step correctly, the first time.
Current turnaround times (2026): Business Name registration — 3 to 24 hours. Private Limited Company — 24 to 48 hours. Company registration is free from errors that cause rejection? Then these timelines hold. Errors and incomplete submissions extend the process by 3–10 business days.
Which Registration Type Do You Need?
| Structure | Best For | Liability | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Name (Sole Proprietor) | Small solo businesses, freelancers | Unlimited personal liability | KES 950 | 3–24 hours |
| Private Limited Company (Ltd) | Growth businesses, co-founders, investment-seeking | Limited to share capital | KES 10,650–17,650 | 24–48 hours |
| Partnership | 2+ co-owners, professional firms | Joint and several | KES 4,550 | 24–48 hours |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | Professional firms wanting liability protection | Limited | KES 10,650 | 3–5 days |
What You Need Before You Start
National ID or Passport
Scanned copy, clear and readable. For all directors and shareholders.
KRA PIN
Personal PINs for all directors. If anyone does not have one, register at iTax first.
Physical Address
Registered office address in Kenya. Can be your home address initially.
Memorandum and Articles
Required for Limited Companies. Standard template available on eCitizen or from a lawyer (KES 3,000–8,000).
The Step-by-Step Registration Process
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
The four most common causes of rejection:
- Name similarity: Your proposed name is too close to an existing entity. Search thoroughly before reserving — the search function shows similar names, not just exact matches.
- Blurry or incomplete document scans: ID copies that are cut off, unclear, or folded are rejected. Use a scanning app (CamScanner, Adobe Scan) rather than a photo.
- KRA PIN mismatch: The name on the KRA PIN must exactly match the name on the ID. Any discrepancy causes rejection.
- Restricted business objects: Certain activities (financial services, healthcare, legal) require regulatory pre-approval before company registration. Check with the relevant regulator first.
Immediately After Registration
Registration Is the Beginning, Not the Achievement
A Certificate of Incorporation proves you exist legally. It does not prove your business is viable. The real work starts after the paperwork: finding customers, managing cash flow, complying with tax obligations, and building the operational systems that make a business sustainable.
Use PesaCalc's free business financial calculators to plan your startup costs, model your first-year cash flow, and understand your financing options before you need them.