The cost of registering a company in Kenya starts at approximately KES 10,650 in government fees, but the full picture includes more than just that number. Learn the cost, what agent fees actually cover, and the hidden costs that catch most first-time founders off guard in 2026.
When people start looking into how to register a company in Kenya in 2026, the first question is almost always about cost. And it is a reasonable question, because the answer you find online depends heavily on where you look. Some sources quote a single government fee. Others include agent fees, compliance costs, and post-registration expenses that nobody warned them about.
This article gives you the complete picture. You will see the official business registration fees in Kenya, what a professional registration service charges and why that fee is worth understanding properly, and the costs that come after registration that every business owner needs to plan for. By the end, you will know exactly what to budget for company registration in Kenya in 2026.
Official Government Fees for Company Registration in Kenya
The business registration fees in Kenya are set by the Business Registration Service and paid through the eCitizen portal. These are the non-negotiable government charges that apply regardless of whether you register on your own or through an agent. Here is what each stage of the procedure of registering a company in Kenya costs at the government level.
| Registration Item | Government Fee (KES) |
| Name search and reservation | 150 |
| Private Limited Company registration fee | 7,650 |
| Stamp duty on share capital | 2,000 (standard) |
| Certificate of Incorporation fee | 1,000 |
| CR12 certificate (directors and shareholders list) | 650 |
| Business name registration (sole proprietor) | 950 |
| BRS company search | 650 |
| Total for Private Limited Company (approximate) | 10,650 |
These figures represent the standard cost of company registration in Kenya for a Private Limited Company with a straightforward share structure. If your share capital is significantly higher, the stamp duty component increases proportionally. Ultimus Advisory confirms the exact fee applicable to your specific structure before any payment is made, so there are no unexpected charges from the government side.
Cost of Limited Company Registration by Business Type
The company registration fee in Kenya varies slightly depending on the type of entity you are registering. Different structures carry different statutory requirements, and that is reflected in what BRS charges. Here is how the costs break down across the most common business types.
Private Limited Company
The private limited company registration requirements make this the most commonly registered structure in Kenya. The total government fee sits at approximately KES 10,650 for a standard setup with one to three shareholders. This covers name reservation, the registration fee, stamp duty, and the Certificate of Incorporation. For entrepreneurs and small to medium businesses, this is the most relevant cost to budget for.
Limited Liability Partnership
An LLP registration follows a similar fee structure to a Private Limited Company, with name reservation and registration fees payable through the eCitizen BRS portal. The total government cost is KES 25,000 where you get a certificate of incorporation. Professional service providers like lawyers and consultants most commonly use this structure.
Cost of Registering a Construction Company in Kenya
The cost of registering a construction company in Kenya at the BRS level is the same as any other Private Limited Company, approximately KES 10,650 in government fees. However, construction businesses carry additional licensing costs that other companies do not.
Registration with the National Construction Authority (NCA) is mandatory for any company that wants to bid for construction contracts in Kenya. NCA registration fees depend on the contractor category you apply for and range from KES 10,000 to over KES 100,000 for higher-tier classifications. Factor these in from the start if you are setting up in the construction sector.
Branch Office Registration
Foreign companies registering a branch office in Kenya pay a separate schedule of BRS fees. The registration fee for a foreign company branch is higher than for a locally incorporated entity, typically in the range of KES 20,000 to KES 30,000 in government charges. Branch offices also have ongoing annual compliance costs, including filing audited financial statements of the parent company with BRS each year.
What Do Agent Fees Cover and Are They Worth It?
Beyond the official business registration fees in Kenya, many entrepreneurs choose to use a professional registration service. Understanding what you are actually paying for when you engage an agent makes it easier to evaluate whether the cost makes sense for your situation.
A reputable business registration service like Ultimus Advisory covers the following as part of their fee.
- Document review before submission to catch errors that would cause BRS to reject or query the application
- Name search and reservation management, including advising on names likely to be approved
- Full completion of the eCitizen BRS application on your behalf
- Coordination and payment of all government fees
- Active follow-up with BRS during the review stage
- Handling of any queries BRS raises without pushing that back to the client
- Delivery of the Certificate of Incorporation and all company documents
What this translates to in practice is a faster, cleaner registration with significantly less risk of delays. A self-managed application that hits a BRS query can add five to seven business days to the timeline. Ultimus Advisory’s standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days precisely because the groundwork is done correctly before anything is submitted.
For the cost of company registration in Kenya when using a professional service, contact Ultimus Advisory directly at ultimusadvisory.com for a transparent quote with no hidden charges.
Hidden Costs Most People Do Not Budget For
The company registration fee is just the starting point. There are several costs that come after registration that are not part of the BRS process but are legally required or practically necessary before your business can operate properly. These are the expenses that catch most first-time founders off guard.
Company KRA PIN Registration
Your company needs its own KRA PIN separate from your personal one. Registering through the KRA iTax portal is free, but you cannot open a bank account, file taxes, issue invoices, or apply for government tenders without it. Factor in the time and any professional assistance needed to get this done immediately after registration.
Company Secretary Fees
Private limited company registration requirements in Kenya include the appointment of a qualified company secretary before the application is submitted. A Certified Public Secretary registered with the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya charges an annual retainer for their services. Fees vary depending on the scope of work, but budget for this as an ongoing annual cost from year one.
County Business Permit
A single business permit from your county government is required for most businesses operating in Kenya. Nairobi County permit fees depend on your business category and premises size, but they typically range from KES 7,000 to KES 30,000 per year for small to medium businesses. This is a recurring annual cost, not a one-time expense.
Sector-Specific Licences
Depending on your industry, you may need additional approvals before you can legally operate. Construction companies need NCA registration. Financial services businesses need Capital Markets Authority or Central Bank approvals. Food businesses need Kenya Bureau of Standards certification. These licensing costs vary significantly by sector and should be researched before you launch.
Annual Returns Filing
Every registered company must file annual returns with BRS within 42 days of the company’s anniversary date each year. The filing fee is approximately KES 4,750 for a Private Limited Company. Missing this deadline attracts penalties that grow the longer the delay runs. Ultimus Advisory offers ongoing compliance support to help businesses stay on top of this obligation after registration.
Full Cost Summary: What to Budget for Company Registration in Kenya in 2026
Putting it all together, here is what a realistic budget looks like for a new Private Limited Company in Kenya, covering the registration itself and the immediate post-registration requirements.
| Cost Item | Approximate Amount (KES) |
| BRS company registration (government fee) | 10,650 |
| Professional registration service (Ultimus Advisory) | Contact for quote |
| Company KRA PIN registration | Free |
| Company secretary annual retainer | Varies by provider |
| County business permit (first year) | 10,000 to 30,000 |
| Annual returns filing fee (first year) | 4,750 |
| Corporate bank account (minimum balance) | Varies by bank |
| Sector-specific licences (if applicable) | Varies by sector |
The government fee for the registration itself is fixed. The total amount you spend in the first year of operating a registered company in Kenya will depend on your sector, your county, and whether you choose to use a professional service for the registration and ongoing compliance.
Register Your Company the Right Way with Ultimus Advisory
Understanding the cost of registering a company in Kenya is the first step. The next is making sure the registration itself goes through cleanly, on time, and without the back-and-forth that comes from an unprepared application.
At Ultimus Advisory we handle the full procedure of registering a company in Kenya on behalf of our clients, from name search and document preparation to BRS submission, query management, and Certificate of Incorporation delivery. Our pricing is transparent, our turnaround is 3 to 5 business days, and there are no hidden charges added after the fact.
Thousands of Kenyan businesses got their start with Ultimus Advisory. Yours can be next, start your application today.
