Anziano ConsultantsThe Business Registration Service (BRS) is the agency in charge of company and business registration services in Kenya. For an application for incorporation of a limited liability company, there are a number of documents that are required, and failure to provide them may result in the application for company registration being rejected.
This is why it is important to have your company registration process handled by professionals such as the team at Anziano Consultants for the process to be swift and efficient without delays or rejection.
Master Checklist – What BRS Actually Asks For
Kenyan Citizen
- National ID (both sides) – clear scan
- KRA PIN Certificate (personal)
- PPassport photo (recent, white background)
- At least 3 Proposed Company Names (in order of preference)
- Business Activity Description (e.g., IT consulting, agribusiness)
- Shareholding % (e.g., 70% / 30%) + Nominal capital (default 100k)
- Registered Office Address: LR No., Building, Town, County
- Contact: Phone, Email
- CRB clearance is NOT required for company registration
Foreign Investor / Diaspora
- Notarised Passport Copy (bio page) – by a notary public
- Notarised Proof of Address (utility bill/bank statement <3 months)
- Passport photo (white background)
- KRA PIN Application Docs – we file for you as a non-resident
- At least 3 proposed company names
- Shareholding & Directors: IDs for all directors/shareholders
- Registered Office Address in Kenya (we can provide a compliance address)
- If company owns company: Notarised Certificate of Incorporation + Board Resolution authorising Kenya entry
- All foreign docs: English or certified translation
Details That Can Cause BRS Reject an Application
1.Proposed Names – The #1 Reason for Rejection
The Registrar of Companies will automatically reject and return your application for corrections where the proposed names either:
- The name suggests a connection with a government, local, or public authority;
- Is similar to a famous brand (Safaricom, Equity) in your name without proof;
- Names that are identical or phonetically similar to existing companies;
- The proposed name is protected by intellectual property (IP), e.g., trademarked names;
- A name that would constitute an offence;
- A name that is prohibited by government regulations
Tip: Make the name 2-3 words, unique, e.g., “Zawadi Agriventures Limited” not “Best Business Kenya Limited”.
2. Identification details Mismatch
A mismatch of identification details would result in BRS rejection of company registration. Examples of identification details mismatch include: a national ID number and ur name or date of birth not matching details in the National Bureau data, or an ID number not matching KRA PIN data.
Where there is a data mismatch, especially ID-related, one should ensure their data is correct and up to date across all government agencies, i.e., the National Registration Bureau and KRA.
The shares allocated to the shareholders must add up to 100% if all shares are subscribed.
The registrar also requires that all shares allotted be paid-up share capital.
4. Registered Address – Not a P.O. Box
The registered address of a company, that of the shareholders, and the director must be very descriptive and not just a postal address.
The addresses must include a descriptive building name, the street or road where it’s located and the city or town.
5. Foreign Documents Not Notarised Properly
A simple photocopy of a passport will be rejected for foreign directors. Must be notarised by a public notary, with signature, date, and statement “True copy of original”. If from a Hague Convention country (UK, US, Germany), add an apostille. If from UAE, Qatar, China – needs embassy legalisation + Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamp.
Anziano’s 3- Step Company Incorporation Prep Flow
Frequently Asked Questions on Company Registration in Kenya
What documents are required for company registration?
- At least 3 proposed names
- Email, mobile, and residentail address of the directors and shareholders
- Proposed office address and contacts.
Can foreigners own 100% of the company shareholding ?
Yes, however, some regulated industries have different laws stipulating the percentage of ownership that Kenyan shareholders must hold.
Can foreigners open a company without visiting Kenya?
Yes, however, some regulated industries have different laws stipulating the percentage of ownership that Kenyan shareholders must hold.
Can a foreign company open a bank account online ?
For compliance with CBK regulations on KYC and AML, company bank accounts can only be opened after presenting original account-opening mandate forms physically at the banks. At Anziano Consultants , we faciliatte with bank account opening for foreign owned comoanies we faciliate with registration.
