The cost of registering a company in Kenya is KES 50,000 all-inclusive with Ultimus Advisory. Learn what the fee covers, what happens during the registration process, and which business costs you should plan for after incorporation.
When people start looking into how to register a company in Kenya, cost is usually one of the first questions they ask. The challenge is that the figures you find online can be confusing because some only refer to government charges, while others include professional assistance.
For a business owner, the more useful question is what you will actually pay to have the registration handled properly from start to finish. At Ultimus Advisory, company registration costs KES 50,000 all-inclusive. Our fee covers the registration process, including the work involved in preparing and submitting the application, handling the registration process, and getting your company documents in order.
How Much Does Company Registration Cost in Kenya?
If you are registering a Company in Kenya through Ultimus Advisory, our all-inclusive company registration fee is KES 50,000.
The reason for an all-inclusive fee is to give you a clear figure to work with from the beginning. Rather than separating the registration process into different charges for professional assistance and individual registration steps, we handle the process as one service.
The KES 50,000 covers the work involved in taking your application through the company registration process and ensuring that the required documentation is properly prepared and submitted. Our team also handles the communication and follow-up required during the application process, including responding to queries that may arise during registration.
What Is Included in the KES 50,000?
The KES 50,000 all-inclusive fee covers:
- Company name search and reservation
- Guidance on the company registration requirements
- Review and preparation of the required registration documents
- Completion of the company registration application
- Submission of the application through the relevant government system
- Follow-up during the registration process
- Handling of registration queries that may arise
- Obtaining the Certificate of Incorporation
- Providing the completed company registration documents to the client
Our aim is to take the administrative work off your hands while making sure the application is properly prepared before submission.
What Does the Company Registration Process Involve?
Registering a company involves more than simply choosing a name and waiting for a Certificate of Incorporation. We normally begin by understanding the business you are setting up and the structure you want to establish. This helps ensure that the registration information reflects the actual ownership and management of the business.
1. Choosing and Searching for a Company Name
Your company needs an approved name before the registration can proceed. We help you identify suitable names and carry out the necessary search and reservation process. Having alternatives available can be useful where a preferred name is unavailable or doesn’t meet the applicable naming requirements as set out in Section 50 of the Companies Act 2015.
2. Preparing the Company Details
The registration application requires information about the company and its directors, shareholders, and other relevant particulars. This is one of the areas where getting the details right from the beginning matters.
Errors or inconsistencies in names, identification details, addresses, or ownership information can create unnecessary delays. At Ultimus Advisory, we review the information provided before proceeding with the application.
3. Preparing and Submitting the Application
Once the required information and documents are ready, the company registration application is completed and submitted through the relevant registration platform. We handle this process on behalf of the client so that you don’t have to navigate each part of the application yourself.
4. Following Up on the Application
Submitting the application isn’t always the final step. Where the registration authority raises a query or requests clarification, the matter needs to be addressed before the application can be completed. We handle this follow-up as part of the registration service.
5. Receiving Your Company Documents
Once the registration has been approved, the Certificate of Incorporation and relevant company documents are obtained and shared with the client. At this point, your company has been formally incorporated and can proceed with the next steps required to start operating.
Are There Other Costs After Registering a Company?
Yes. Company registration and running a company are two different things. The KES 50,000 all-inclusive fee relates to the company registration process. Once your company has been incorporated, there are other obligations and practical requirements that may apply depending on your business.
These shouldn’t be confused with the cost of registering the company itself.
Company KRA PIN
Your company needs its own KRA PIN separate from your personal one. Registering through the KRA iTax portal is free, but you can’t 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
A private limited company in Kenya isn’t automatically required to appoint a company secretary. The requirement applies where the company has share capital of KES 5 million or more, or where the company has foreign ownership. Where a company falls within these requirements, it must appoint a suitably qualified company secretary and account for the secretary’s professional fees as an ongoing business expense. Fees vary depending on the provider and the scope of services required.
County Business Permits
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.
What Can Affect the Company Registration Process?
While the company registration process follows a defined set of steps, every application is slightly different. The information required, the proposed ownership structure and the accuracy of the documents provided can all affect how smoothly the application progresses.
The Company Structure
The information required depends on the type of entity being registered. A standard Private Limited Company has different requirements from other forms of business registration. Choosing the right structure before submitting an application can save you from having to make changes later.
Number of Directors and Shareholders
Ownership and management details need to be correctly reflected in the registration documents. Where there are multiple shareholders or directors, we need the correct information for each person before the application can be submitted.
Accuracy of Documents
Incorrect or inconsistent information can result in queries or delays. We therefore recommend providing accurate identification documents and company information at the beginning of the process so that the application can be prepared correctly.
Changes During the Application
Changing the proposed company name, ownership details or other information after an application has already been prepared can create additional work. It is much easier to resolve these details before submission.
Why Use a Professional Company Registration Service?
You can choose to handle company registration yourself, but the process still requires you to understand the information being requested, prepare the documents correctly and follow up on the application.
For a first-time business owner, this can become unnecessarily time-consuming. Working with a professional registration service means you have someone handling the administrative side of the process while you focus on setting up the actual business.
At Ultimus Advisory, we work with businesses that want a hassle-free registration process without having to figure out every step themselves. Our work includes checking the information before submission, completing the application, following up during the process and handling registration queries where necessary.
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, turnaround is 3 to 5 business days, and there are no hidden charges added after the fact.
Start your application today with Ultimus Advisory.
