The Registrar of Companies is responsible for business registration in Kenya. He/she issues certificates of compliance for foreign companies, certificates of incorporation for local companies and certificates of registration for sole proprietorship.
Firms must then register their businesses with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), obtain a business permit from the County depending on the type of business activity and also register with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The principal types of business enterprises in Kenya are:
• Sole Proprietorship
• Registered Companies (Private and Public)
• Branch offices of companies registered outside Kenya; and
• Partnerships