Information date: May 2026. Business listings, asking prices, availability, regulatory requirements and official portal fees may change. Confirm availability and transaction structure before paying a deposit.
Looking for a business for sale in Kenya or planning to sell your operating business confidentially? Biz Brokers Kenya supports buyers, sellers and investors with business sale listings, buyer screening, seller intake, transaction coordination, company searches, due diligence and practical guidance on how to transfer an existing business in Kenya.
Quick answers: Business for sale in Kenya
Asking prices are listing-specific. Buyers should also budget for verification, due diligence, legal documents, registry filings, stamp duty where applicable, licenses and post-completion compliance.
Simple transactions can close in a few weeks. Regulated, asset-heavy or financing-dependent deals may take longer due to due diligence, approvals, lease consent and completion filings.
For buyers: budget, sector preference, proof of funds, KYC documents and NDA. For sellers: registration documents, licenses, financials, lease, asset list, employee/liability details and asking price basis.
Do not rely on adverts alone. Verify ownership, licenses, tax exposure, assets, debts, lease rights, employees, contracts, litigation risk and whether the deal is an asset sale or share transfer.
Need help buying or selling a business in Kenya?
Send us the business type, location, asking price or buyer budget, and whether you need buyer representation, seller listing support, valuation coordination, due diligence or transfer documentation.
Talk to us on WhatsApp Email your briefBusinesses for Sale in Kenya
Below are business sale opportunities previously listed or structured on this page. Availability, asking price and seller terms should be confirmed before engagement because business listings change frequently.
Restaurant for Sale in Nairobi, Kenya
A fully licensed and operational restaurant for sale (off Naivasha Road, Nairobi).
View listingLicensed Casino for Sale in Nairobi, Kenya
A fully licensed and operational casino is up for sale in Nairobi, Kenya.
View listingCollege for Sale in Mombasa, Kenya
A licensed and operational college for sale in Mombasa CBD. Flexible terms available.
View listingLeading Backpacker Hotel for Sale in Mombasa, Kenya
A busy, profitable, world-renowned backpacker hotel along the Kenyan coast is for sale.
View listingUpscale Lingerie Shop for Sale in Kilimani, Nairobi
An upscale lingerie and women’s accessories shop is for sale in Kilimani, Nairobi.
View listingSecurity Company for Sale in Kenya
A fully registered security company is for sale in Kenya.
View listingLicensed Content Service Provider (CSP) Company for Sale
A fully registered and licensed CSP company is for sale in Nairobi, Kenya.
View listingSalon Business for Sale in Nairobi
Location: Nairobi CBD
Assets: Salon equipment included
Business: Established client base and consistent demand
Asking price: KES 2,000,000 (O.N.O.)
School for Sale in Kenya
A fully registered, compliant, and operational school offering both local and international syllabus is for sale in Kenya.
View listingNote: This page is for people buying or selling an existing business in Kenya. If your goal is to start a new entity from scratch, visit Company Registration in Kenya or Business Name Registration.
Procedure: How to Buy a Business in Kenya
Buying an existing business is not the same as registering a new company. You are acquiring an operating concern, assets, shares, goodwill, contracts or licenses, and each option carries different legal and commercial risks.
- Define your buyer brief. Confirm your sector, budget, preferred county, required licenses, whether you want a running business or distressed asset, and whether you need active management or passive investment.
- Shortlist suitable businesses. Review available listings, location, asking price, business model, regulatory status and seller disclosures.
- Sign an NDA and complete buyer KYC. Sellers normally require confidentiality before releasing sensitive financial statements, staff details, supplier information and lease documents.
- Conduct preliminary verification. Check the legal owner, company registration status, official search or CR12, licenses, tax risk, lease status, assets, directors/shareholders and whether the seller has authority to sell.
- Submit an expression of interest or offer letter. This should state the indicative price, deposit conditions, completion timeline, due diligence conditions and whether you are buying assets, shares or the whole business.
- Run full due diligence. Review financials, tax, employees, liabilities, assets, stock, permits, contracts, litigation, debts, IP, lease, supplier/customer concentration and regulatory approvals.
- Negotiate the sale agreement. Include warranties, payment terms, deposit treatment, completion conditions, handover support, liabilities, non-compete/non-solicitation terms and dispute resolution.
- Complete the transfer. Depending on the structure, this may involve share transfer, asset transfer, lease assignment, license variation, BRS updates, beneficial ownership updates, tax/stamp duty steps and operational handover.
- Post-completion compliance. Update bank mandates, tax records, licenses, signatories, staff records, suppliers, insurance, inventory control and business systems.
Procedure: How to Sell Your Business in Kenya
For sellers, the key is to package the business clearly, protect confidentiality and prepare documents before approaching buyers. Poor preparation reduces buyer confidence and slows down negotiations.
- Prepare a confidential seller brief. Summarise the business, location, years in operation, reason for sale, asking price, assets, staff, revenue trend and licenses.
- Clean up records before listing. Update company filings, tax position, licenses, lease documents, asset register, bank statements and management accounts.
- Set a realistic asking price. The price should be supported by assets, cash flow, goodwill, stock, contracts, location, licenses and growth potential.
- Decide what is being sold. Confirm whether the transaction is a share sale, asset sale, business name sale, franchise, stock sale, lease takeover or strategic partnership.
- Screen buyers before disclosure. Use NDAs, proof of funds, buyer profile, sector background and deal capacity before sharing sensitive information.
- Negotiate heads of terms. Agree price, deposit, exclusivity, due diligence period, completion conditions, transition period and seller handover obligations.
- Complete legal and registry steps. Coordinate sale agreement, share transfer or asset transfer documents, BRS updates, license notifications, lease consent and tax/stamp duty requirements.
Requirements and Documents for Buying or Selling a Business
| Party | Typical requirements | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer | Full names/company details, ID or passport, KRA PIN where applicable, buyer profile, budget, proof of funds, NDA, preferred sector, intended transaction structure. | Helps the seller and broker verify seriousness, protect confidentiality and shortlist appropriate opportunities. |
| Seller | Certificate of registration/incorporation, CR12 or official search, KRA PIN, licenses, financial statements/management accounts, lease, asset list, employee details, liabilities and contracts. | Allows the buyer to verify ownership, profitability, debts, compliance and whether the business can be transferred safely. |
| Regulated businesses | Sector license, regulator approvals, compliance certificates, renewal status, inspection records and transfer or variation conditions. | Businesses such as casinos, schools, security firms, telecom/CSP entities, clinics, pharmacies, hotels and financial services may require additional approvals. |
| Foreign buyers | Passport, local tax/banking onboarding documents, immigration plan, sector restriction review and company structure advice. | Foreign ownership may be allowed in many sectors, but licensing, bank KYC, tax registration and work/residence status must be handled correctly. |
Costs and Fees to Budget For
The total cost of buying a business in Kenya depends on the asking price and the transaction structure. A buyer should separate the purchase price from professional, compliance and completion costs.
| Cost item | When it applies | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Asking price / purchase price | All business acquisitions. | Depends on assets, revenue, profit, licenses, lease, location, brand, goodwill, liabilities and seller urgency. |
| Buyer due diligence fee | When you need verification before committing funds. | Quoted based on business size, sector risk, documents available and depth of checks required. |
| Seller listing / advisory support | When a seller needs confidential marketing, buyer screening and deal coordination. | Quoted after reviewing the business profile, target buyers and required transaction support. |
| Official search / CR12 | Where the target is a private limited company. | Use the live BRS/eCitizen invoice as final. BRS guidance has referenced an official search prerequisite fee of KES 650 for CR12/private company search. |
| Stamp duty and registry filings | Commonly relevant in share transfers and certain asset transfers. | KRA assesses stamp duty depending on the instrument. Locally prepared instruments should be stamped within the required period to avoid enforceability problems. |
| License transfer or variation costs | Regulated businesses or county-licensed operations. | May apply to schools, hotels, casinos, security firms, telecom/CSP businesses, health businesses and other licensed sectors. |
| Legal documents and completion support | For sale agreements, warranties, completion documents and post-completion filings. | Scope depends on whether the transaction is a share purchase, asset purchase, lease assignment or partnership arrangement. |
Get a transaction cost estimate
Send the business name/type, location, asking price, transaction route and your role as buyer or seller. We will advise on the likely due diligence scope and completion steps.
Request a cost estimate Call +254 757 884 710Business Due Diligence Checklist Before You Buy
Before paying a deposit or signing completion documents, confirm that the opportunity is genuine, transferable and commercially sound.
- Company registration status, directors, shareholders and beneficial ownership position.
- Seller authority to sell and board/shareholder approvals where required.
- Financial statements, management accounts, bank statements and sales records.
- KRA PIN, tax compliance position, VAT/PAYE obligations and historical tax exposure.
- County permits, sector licenses, inspection reports and license renewal status.
- Lease agreement, rent arrears, landlord consent and remaining term.
- Asset ownership, inventory, equipment condition and encumbrances.
- Employees, contracts, payroll obligations, NHIF/SHIF, NSSF and pending labour issues.
- Supplier/customer contracts, receivables, payables and debt exposure.
- Litigation, disputes, regulatory notices, complaints and reputation risks.
- Intellectual property, domain names, social media accounts and brand assets.
- Transition plan, seller handover period and non-compete terms.
Risk warning: Avoid paying non-refundable deposits before basic checks are complete. For high-value or regulated businesses, insist on documentary verification and written conditions precedent.
Share Sale vs Asset Sale: Choosing the Right Transaction Route
| Route | Best for | Main risk | Key completion steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share purchase / share transfer | Buying the company that owns the business, licenses, assets and contracts. | You may inherit hidden liabilities unless warranties, indemnities and due diligence are strong. | Review articles, approvals, share transfer documents, stamp duty, BRS/eCitizen updates, beneficial ownership update and bank/signatory changes. |
| Asset purchase | Buying selected assets, stock, equipment, goodwill or business operations without buying the whole company. | Licenses, employees, leases and contracts may not automatically transfer. | Asset sale agreement, inventory schedule, equipment handover, lease assignment, license variation, tax treatment and operational transition. |
| Business name / sole proprietorship transfer | Small owner-managed businesses where the legal structure is not a company. | Often informal; assets, debts and permissions must be documented carefully. | Owner verification, business name records, asset list, county permits, lease consent, stock valuation and new operational accounts. |
| Franchise, partnership or investment arrangement | Where the buyer wants entry rights, expansion rights or a partial investment rather than full acquisition. | Control, profit-sharing, exit rights and intellectual property must be clear. | Term sheet, shareholder/partnership agreement, IP/licensing terms, performance milestones and dispute resolution. |
Extra Caution for Regulated Businesses
Some business listings are more than a commercial sale. The buyer must confirm whether the license is transferable, whether regulator consent is required and whether the new owner qualifies.
Examples: casino businesses, schools and colleges, security companies, telecom/content service provider companies, health businesses, hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, financial services, construction contractors and import/licensing businesses.
For foreign investors, also check immigration status, work permit route, local director requirements, tax registration, bank KYC, sector caps and whether the business requires a Kenyan technical manager or license holder.
Official and Practical Sources Used for Compliance Checks
When verifying a business, the exact sources depend on the sector. For companies, the Business Registration Service is the custodian of company registration records in Kenya and provides registry services through BRS/eCitizen. KRA stamp duty rules and timelines should also be checked before completing transaction documents.
- Business Registration Service (BRS) — company registry records, official searches, changes and beneficial ownership updates.
- BRS/eCitizen portal — company maintenance and official search applications.
- Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — stamp duty, tax and revenue compliance checks.
- Relevant sector regulators and county governments — licenses, inspections, renewals and transfer/variation conditions.
FAQs: Business for Sale in Kenya
How much does it cost to buy a business in Kenya?
The main cost is the seller’s asking price. Additional costs may include due diligence, legal documentation, official searches, stamp duty where applicable, registry filings, license transfers, lease assignment, valuation and post-completion compliance.
How long does buying a business in Kenya take?
A straightforward small-business acquisition may take a few weeks after documents are available. Regulated businesses, companies with liabilities, lease issues, financing or shareholder approvals can take longer.
What documents should I request before buying a business?
Request the registration documents, official search or CR12, licenses, tax documents, financial records, lease, asset register, employee information, debts/liabilities, customer/supplier contracts and proof that the seller has authority to sell.
Can a foreigner buy a business in Kenya?
Yes, foreigners can buy many types of businesses in Kenya, but sector restrictions, licensing rules, bank KYC, tax registration and immigration status must be checked before the transaction proceeds.
Is it better to buy shares or assets?
It depends on risk and commercial objectives. Buying shares keeps the company structure intact but may carry hidden liabilities. Buying assets can reduce legacy exposure but may require fresh licenses, lease consent and new contracts.
How do I sell my business confidentially?
Prepare a seller brief, clean up your records, set a realistic asking price, require an NDA before sensitive disclosure, screen buyers and only release detailed financial or operational documents to serious buyers.
Next action
Buyers: send your budget, preferred sector and location. Sellers: send your business type, location, asking price, turnover/profit summary and reason for sale. We will advise on listing, verification and transaction support.