Key facts
Key facts for business in Kenya
The short answer
Company registry in Kenya: Business Registration Service (BRS). Tax authority: Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Requirements, fees and timelines change – confirm them with the body concerned and a lawyer admitted in Kenya before you act.
| Legal system | Common law (with customary and Islamic law in personal matters) |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Kiswahili, English |
| Currency | Kenyan shilling (KES) |
| Regional blocs | East African Community, COMESA, IGAD |
| OHADA business law | No |
| AfCFTA (continental free trade) | Ratified (instrument deposited) |
| New York Convention (arbitral awards) | Party – in force since 1989 |
| ICSID Convention (investment disputes) | Contracting state – in force since 1967 |
| Apostille Convention (public documents) | Not a party – documents usually need legalization |
Treaty status from the official depositary records (UNCITRAL, ICSID, HCCH), regional blocs from their own websites, AfCFTA from tralac – checked October 2026. Not legal advice.
Official bodies
Who does what in Kenya
| What for | Official body | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Registering a company | Business Registration Service (BRS) | brs.go.ke |
| Investment promotion | Kenya Investment Authority (InvestKenya) | investkenya.go.ke |
| Tax | Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) | kra.go.ke |
| Central bank, currency and foreign exchange | Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) | centralbank.go.ke |
| Work and residence permits | Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS) | immigration.go.ke |
| Courts and justice | The Judiciary (Kenya) | judiciary.go.ke |
| Official business procedures portal | Kenya eRegulations for Investment Portal (eProcedures Kenya) | eprocedures.investkenya.go.ke |
Each link was opened and checked as the body’s own website in October 2026. Links to official sites only – never to agents or look-alike sites.
Getting started
What foreign businesses usually sort out first
- Choose how you will operate. A subsidiary, a branch, a representative office, or working through a local partner or distributor. The options and their conditions are set by national company law.
- Register the business. Company registration: Business Registration Service (BRS).
- Register for tax. Tax registration: Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
- Check investment rules and incentives. Some sectors have licensing, local-ownership or registration rules, and some investors qualify for incentives. Investment agency: Kenya Investment Authority (InvestKenya).
- Permits for foreign staff. Work and residence permits: Directorate of Immigration Services (DIS).
- Banking and foreign exchange. Rules on accounts, moving money in and out and paying dividends abroad come from the central bank (Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)) and the banks.
- Contracts and disputes. Agree the governing law, the courts or arbitration seat, and the language. Kenya is a party to the New York Convention, so arbitral awards made in other member states can be recognized there under it.
A general checklist, not legal advice. What applies to you depends on your sector, structure and nationality.
Law firms
Law firms in Kenya for business matters
Abdullahi Gitari & Odhiambo Advocates LLP (AGO)
Nairobi
ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna
Nairobi
Bond Advocates LLP
Nairobi
Chepchieng and Company Advocates
Nakuru
CM Advocates LLP
Nairobi, Mombasa
CR Advocates LLP
Nairobi
F.M Muteti & Company Advocates
Nairobi, Mombasa
Iseme Kamau and Maema Advocates (IKM)
Nairobi
JMK Advocates LLP
Nairobi, Mombasa, Meru
K&A Advocates LLP (Kimiti & Associates Advocates LLP)
Nairobi
Kaplan & Stratton Advocates
Nairobi
KIOI & Co. Advocates
Nairobi
31 firms in Kenya list corporate, tax, employment or other business work on their own websites – the first 12 are shown A to Z. See every firm in Kenya.
Checking a lawyer in Kenya
Who admits lawyers: Law Society of Kenya (LSK) – practising certificates; admission by the Chief Justice and roll kept by the Registrar of the High Court; Council of Legal Education oversees training
Professional title: Advocate (of the High Court of Kenya)
Official roll: online.lsk.or.ke
Use the 'Search Advocate' tool on the LSK member portal (online.lsk.or.ke) to confirm the advocate is listed and holds a current practising certificate.
Sources: lsk.or.ke, online.lsk.or.ke, judiciary.go.ke. Checked October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Doing business in Kenya: questions
Where do you register a company in Kenya?
With Business Registration Service (BRS) (brs.go.ke). Requirements change, so confirm them with the registry and a lawyer admitted in Kenya.
Is Kenya a party to the New York Convention?
Yes – in force since 1989 (UNCITRAL status table, checked October 2026).
Does Kenya accept apostilles?
Kenya is not a party to the Apostille Convention (HCCH status table, checked October 2026), so foreign public documents usually need legalization – typically through the issuing country’s foreign ministry and Kenya’s embassy or consulate. Confirm with the authority that will receive the document.
What currency is used in Kenya?
Kenyan shilling (KES).