How to register your business on eCitizen

## Why register your business?

Business registration in Kenya allows you to:

Open a business bank account

Register for KRA taxes in the company name

Enter formal contracts with clients

Apply for tenders and government contracts

Get a Tax Compliance Certificate

Types of business registration in Kenya

1. Sole Proprietorship / Business Name For individuals operating under a trading name. Cheapest and simplest. Filing fee: ~KES 950.

2. Partnership For two or more people sharing a business. Requires a partnership deed.

3. Limited Company (Private or Public) Separate legal entity. More expensive (~KES 10,650) but protects personal assets. Recommended for businesses with employees or significant contracts.

Registering on eCitizen

Step 1: Go to eCitizen

Visit [ecitizen.go.ke](https://ecitizen.go.ke) and create an account (or log in if you already have one).

Step 2: Select Business Registration Service

Click on Registrar of Companies > Business Name Registration (for sole proprietor/partnership) or Company Registration (for limited company).

Step 3: Search for name availability

Check that your desired business name is available. Submit up to 3 alternatives.

Step 4: Fill in the registration form

For a business name:

Proposed names (3)

Nature of business

Physical address

Proprietor details (ID, KRA PIN)

For a limited company, you will also need:

Memorandum and Articles of Association

Names of directors and shareholders

Share structure

Step 5: Pay the registration fee

Pay via M-Pesa or card on the eCitizen platform.

Step 6: Await approval

Business name registration: typically 3–7 working days. Company registration: typically 7–14 working days.

You will receive the certificate of registration by email and it will be available for download on eCitizen.

After registration

Get your KRA PIN for the business

Open a business bank account

Register for relevant taxes (PAYE if you have employees, VAT if your turnover will exceed KES 5M)