Biz Brokers Kenya helps local founders, foreign investors, SMEs and organisations choose the correct registration route, prepare documents, file through the relevant portal and move from registration to compliance-readiness.

Quick Answers: Registration Services in Kenya

What can we help register?

We assist with company, business name, foreign branch, LLP, trademark, KRA PIN, changes, searches and selected licensing/compliance filings.

Which registration route fits?

A company suits scalable operations, contracts and investor-readiness. A business name suits simpler trading. A foreign branch suits an overseas parent company. A trademark protects the brand.

Is registration enough to start trading?

Not always. After registration, many businesses still need tax setup, bank onboarding, county permits, sector licences or brand protection depending on the activity.

Where are the detailed guides?

This page routes you to the correct specialist page for the full filing detail. Use the links below for company, business name, branch, LLP, trademark and permit support.

Choose the Right Registration Route

This page is a registration services hub. Use this page to choose the correct route, then move to the relevant specialist page for the full filing detail. This helps you avoid confusing a company, business name, branch, trademark or operating licence.

Registration need Best for Do not confuse it with Detailed guide
Private limited company registration SMEs, startups, tenders, investors, contracts, limited liability and scalable operations. Business name registration or county business permit. Company registration in Kenya
Business name registration Sole proprietors and partnerships that need a simple trading registration. A limited company, which is a separate legal entity. Business name registration
Foreign company branch registration An overseas company registering a Kenyan branch and obtaining a Certificate of Compliance. A Kenyan subsidiary owned by foreign shareholders. Foreign company branch registration
Foreign-owned Kenyan company Foreign shareholders registering a local Kenyan private limited company/subsidiary. Foreign branch registration. Foreign-owned business in Kenya
Trademark registration Protecting a brand name, logo, slogan, product name or service mark through KIPI. Company or business name registration, which does not give full trademark protection. Trademark registration in Kenya
Limited liability partnership registration Professional or investment partnerships that need a structured LLP route. Ordinary business name partnership. LLP registration in Kenya
County business permits & licences Businesses that are already registered and now need permission to trade from a location or sector. Company incorporation or business name registration. Business permit registration

Registration Services We Handle

We support registration and compliance filing for clients in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret and across Kenya. We also assist foreign clients who need a reliable Kenya-based filing contact.

Most common startup route

Company Registration

End-to-end support for private limited company setup, including route confirmation, filing coordination, ownership structure review and post-registration guidance.

Read the company registration guide

Simple trading registration

Business Name Registration

Registration support for sole proprietors and partnerships, including proposed names, proprietor details, business address and application follow-up.

Read the business name guide

Foreign parent company route

Foreign Company Branch Registration

Support for overseas companies registering a Kenyan branch, including local representative coordination, certified parent company documents and Certificate of Compliance filing.

Read the foreign branch guide

Brand protection

Trademark Registration

KIPI trademark search, class strategy, application filing, publication follow-up, registration and support for foreign applicants that require a local agent/address for service.

Read the trademark guide

Tax & bank-readiness

KRA PIN & Post-Registration Setup

Guidance on company KRA PIN, director PIN issues, tax profile readiness, bank KYC pack preparation and the practical documents banks often request after registration.

View all business setup services

Trading readiness

Permits, Changes & Compliance Filings

Support for county permits, changes to directors, addresses, company secretary details, official searches, CR12 requests and selected sector-specific licence coordination.

Read about business permits

Need to register but unsure which route fits?

Send us your proposed business activity, shareholder/director structure, nationality/residency position and preferred timeline. We will advise whether you need a company, business name, foreign branch, trademark, permit or combined setup.

Call/WhatsApp: +254 757 884 710   |   Email: info@bizbrokerskenya.com

Our Registration Process

  1. Initial route assessment: We confirm whether your need is entity registration, branch registration, trademark protection, tax setup, licensing or a combination.
  2. Information collection: We collect the relevant details based on your structure, nationality, activity and target outcome.
  3. Name and filing review: We check naming risks, regulated words, owner details, address information and filing consistency.
  4. Portal filing: We prepare and submit the relevant filing through BRS/eCitizen, KIPI or the appropriate compliance channel.
  5. Query handling: We monitor application status and help respond to Registrar, portal or examiner queries.
  6. Certificate and next steps: We share the registration output and guide the next compliance actions such as KRA PIN, bank KYC, county permits or sector licensing.

After Registration: Do Not Stop at the Certificate

Many clients assume the certificate is enough to start trading. In practice, most businesses also need tax setup, banking documentation, physical location approvals, licences or sector-specific compliance.

After registration item Why it matters When to do it
KRA PIN / tax profile Needed for tax compliance, invoicing, bank onboarding and regulatory applications. Immediately after incorporation or registration where applicable.
Bank KYC pack Banks commonly request incorporation documents, ownership details, resolutions, tax documents and identity records. Before approaching the bank, especially for foreign-owned structures.
County business permit A registered entity may still need permission to trade from a specific premises or county. Before physical trading or premises inspection.
Sector licences Regulated sectors such as telecoms, recruitment, construction, energy, health, finance and education may need additional approvals. Before operations in the regulated activity.
Trademark protection Company/business name registration alone may not stop another party from filing or using a similar brand. Before launch, marketing spend, importation, franchising or distribution.

FAQs on Registration Services in Kenya

Is this page for company registration or all registrations?

This is the main registration services hub. It helps you compare the route first. For the private limited company procedure, use the company registration guide. This hub is designed to help users choose the right registration category first.

What is the difference between a company and a business name?

A company is a separate legal entity. A business name is usually a simpler trading registration for a sole proprietor or partnership. The better choice depends on liability, banking, contracts, tax planning, ownership and growth plans.

Can a foreigner register a business in Kenya?

Yes. A foreigner may register a Kenyan company in many sectors, but practical issues can include passport details, local address, tax setup, bank KYC, permits and immigration status if the person will work or reside in Kenya. If the foreign entity itself is registering in Kenya, review the foreign branch route.

Is foreign company registration the same as foreign-owned company registration?

No. A foreign company branch is an overseas company registered in Kenya and issued a Certificate of Compliance. A foreign-owned Kenyan company is a local Kenyan company whose shareholders may be foreign persons or foreign entities.

Does company registration include a business permit?

No. Company registration creates the legal entity. A business permit, sector licence or operational approval may still be required depending on location and activity.

Is trademark registration necessary if I already registered a company?

It is strongly advisable if the name, logo or brand has commercial value. Company registration and business name registration do not provide the same protection as a trademark registration.

Do you assist clients outside Nairobi?

Yes. We serve clients across Kenya, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret and remote clients who need online filing and document coordination.

Official Portals

Registration procedures and portal workflows can change. Always confirm the live portal instructions before filing.

Information review date: 13 May 2026.

Get Help from Registration Agents in Kenya

Tell us what you want to register, who owns it, where the business will operate and your target timeline. We will recommend the correct registration path and provide a practical quotation.

Call/WhatsApp: +254 757 884 710
Email: info@bizbrokerskenya.com
Office: Kose Heights, Argwings Kodhek Road, Kilimani, Nairobi

Request Registration Support