There are fees charged in order for one to register a company or collateral, or file for bankruptcy in Kenya. Any person can register a business/company in Kenya upon meeting the requirements, producing the required documents and paying the stipulated fees. There are also fees paid when registering a movable asset (collateral) that is subject to a security right or a receivable that is subject to an outright transfer.
Additionally, fees are also paid to the Official Receiver in insolvency as regards to licensing and supervision of insolvency practitioners, administration and supervision of bankruptcy of natural persons, and administration and liquidation of companies. In this article, we have highlighted the full fees schedules for companies registry, collateral registry, official receiver and other miscellaneous fees in Kenya.
1. Companies registry
| Service | Fees | Document lodged | Document issued | Time |
| Name Search & Reservation | Ksh 150 | Application made online | Name reserved | 1 day |
| Registration of Business name | Ksh 850 | BN 2 | Certificate of Incorporation | 1-2 days |
| Limited Liability Partnership | Ksh 25,000 | New Registration LLP 1 | Certificate of Incorporation | 1 day |
| Private Limited Company | Ksh 10,650 | CR 1, CR 2, CR 8, Statement of Nominal Capital | Certificate of Incorporation | 3-5 days |
| Public Limited Company | Ksh 10,650 | CR 1, CR 2, CR 8, CR 10, CR 12 and Statement of Nominal Capital | Certificate of Incorporation | 3-5 days |
| Unlimited Companies | Ksh 20,050 | CR 1, CR 4, CR 8 Statement of Nominal Capital | Certificate of Incorporation | 3-5 days |
| Company Limited by guarantee | 1-25 members Ksh 3,000. 26-100 members Ksh 7,500. Over 100 members Ksh 15,000 + additional Ksh 2,000 for each additional 50 members. License to dispense with the word limited Ksh 3,000. | CR1, CR 3 and CR 8 | Certificate of Incorporation | 3 days upon receipt of vetting report from NIS |
| Change of name of Company/Business Name/Limited Liability Partnership | Business Name Ksh 800 subject to penalties. Company Ksh 4,000. LLP Ksh 2,000. | Company CR 15 & CR 19/Business BN 4/LLP 9 | Certificate of Change of Name | 1 day |
| Change of Office bearers | Ksh 550 (each) | CR 6 & CR 9 where applicable | CR 12 | 3 days |
| Change of Particulars of Directors | Ksh 550 | CR7 | CR 12 | 2 days |
| Change of address/location of Company | Ksh 550 | CR 16 | No document issued (Reflected on company records). | 1 day |
| Appointment of Company Secretary | Ksh 550 | CR 10 | No document issued (Reflected on company records). | 2 days |
| Change of Particulars of Company Secretary | Ksh 550 | CR 11 | No document issued (Reflected on company records) | 1 day |
| Change of Residential Address of Company Secretary | Ksh 550 | CR 12 | No document issued (Reflected on company records). | 1 day |
| Cessation from office of Company Secretary | Ksh 550 | CR 13 | No document issued (Reflected on company records). | 1 day |
| Increase/Decrease of Nominal Capital | Increase varies with the Nominal Capital | Resolution of company, Court Order for decrease in value. | No document issued (Reflected on company records). | 1 day |
| Variation of Shares | Lands (stamp duty) | Resolution of Company | No document issued (Reflected on company records). | 1 day |
| Change of Particulars of Business Name | Ksh 200 (upon submission of an original BN certificate). Ksh 400 (upon submission of a copy of BN certificate) subject to penalties where applicable. | BN 4 | BN 5 (Certificate of change of particulars). | 3 days |
| Change of Particulars of LLP | Ksh 2,000 | CR, LLP | Can apply for CR 12 to see changes. | Varies |
| Conversion of Private to Public Limited | Ksh 7,000 | CR 17 accompanied by documents stipulated on the forms i.e., CR 15, CR 18, CR 19. Amendment memorandum – Ksh 2,000 CR 19 – Ksh 2,000 CR 18 – Ksh 2,000 CR 15 – Ksh 2,000 | Certificate of Conversion | 2 days |
| Conversion of Public to Private Limited | Ksh 7,000 | CR 17 accompanied by documents stipulated on the forms i.e., CR 15, CR 18, CR 19. Amendment memorandum – Ksh 2,000 CR 19 – Ksh 2,000 CR 18 – Ksh 2,000 CR 15 – Ksh 2,000 | Certificate of Incorporation | 2 days |
| Conversion of Private Limited Company to Unlimited Company | Ksh 7,000 | CR 17 accompanied by documents stipulated on the forms i.e., CR 15, CR 18, CR 19. Amendment memorandum – Ksh 2,000 CR 19 – Ksh 2,000 CR 18 – Ksh 2,000 CR 15 – Ksh 2,000 | Certificate of Conversion | 2 days |
| Conversion of Public Company to Unlimited Company | Ksh 7,000 | CR 17 accompanied by documents stipulated on the forms i.e., CR 15, CR 18, CR 19. Amendment memorandum – Ksh 2,000 CR 19 – Ksh 2,000 CR 18 – Ksh 2,000 CR 15 – Ksh 2,000 | Certificate of Conversion | 2 days |
| Conversion from Limited Company to Limited Liability Partnership | Ksh 25,000 | LLP 7 | Certificate of Conversion | 2 days |
| Conversion from Business Name to LLP | Ksh 25,000 | LLP 5 | Certificate of Conversion | 2 days |
| Cessation of Business Name | Ksh 800 subject to penalties | BN 6 | Letter of Confirmation | 1 day |
| Declaration of solvency or insolvency | Ksh 2,000 | LLP 10 | No document issued(Reflected on company records) | Immediately |
| Dissolution of Companies | Ksh 4,000 | Resolution of Company and CR 18 & CR 19 | Letter of Confirmation | 90 days |
| Registration of Debentures/Charges | Ksh 2000 – Ksh 14000 | Security Instrument accompanied by CR 25, CR 26 or CR 27 | Certificate of Mortgage | 2 days |
| Discharge of Charge/Debenture | Ksh 2,000 | CR 28 | Certificate of Clearance | 1 day |
2. Collateral registry
| Service | Fees | Document lodged | Document issued | Time |
| Search request | Ksh 500 | Application made online | Search Certificate | Immediately |
| Initial Search | No fee payable | Application made online | Notice to Registrant of the Initial Notice | Immediately |
| Amendment Notice | No fee payable | Application made online | Notice to Registrant of an Amendment Notice | Immediately |
| Grantor’s request for registration ofAmendment/Cancellation Notice | No fee payable | Application made online | Notice to Secured Creditor of Grantor’s request for Amendment/Cancellation | Immediately |
| Cancellation Notice | No fee payable | Application made online | Notice to Registrant of Cancellation Notice | Immediately |
3. Official receiver
| Service | Requirements | Fees | Time | |
| Issuance of Compliance Certificate for debtor’s petition in bankruptcy | Form No. 9 Form No. 10 Form No. 11 Form No. 8 | Ksh 30,000 | 1 day | |
| Issuance of Compliance Certificate for creditor’s petition in bankruptcy | Form No. 3 Form No. 4 Form No. 5 Form No. 9 Form No. 6 | Ksh 50,000 | 1 day | |
| Gazettement of order appointing the Official Receiver(From the petitioner or the Deputy Registrar of the court that made the order) | Form No. 13 Form No. 14 | Paid from the amount deposited according to the printer’s rates. | Gazette within 30 days after issuance | |
| Form No. 32G Form No. 32F | ||||
| Form No. 37 Form No. 35 | ||||
| Holding 1st creditors meetings | Debtor’s presence is mandatory | Nil | Within 30 days after issuance of bankruptcy order | |
| Creditors to file Proof of Debt forms | Ksh 500 | |||
| Public Examination | Attendance of debtor and creditors in court | Nil | Determined by the court | |
| Supervising Bankrupt/No Asset Procedure/Summary Installment orders | The applicants are expected to fully comply with the insolvency Act. Form No. 20 | Nil | Every 3 months | |
| Application for Insolvency Practitioners | Applicants to fill Form No. 1 and supply all the requisite documents. | Ksh 50,000 | 5 days | |
| Supervising the bankrupt | The Debtor/Bankrupt reports to Official Receiver after every three months. | Fees as per remuneration order after discharge. | Within every 3 months | |
| Gazettement of Insolvency Practitioners | The Official Receiver will keep updating the register. | As per the printer’s rate | Annual | |
| Perusal of file | The customer to provide an official request. | Ksh 200 per file | 1 day | |
| Inspection of documents | The customer to provide an official request. | Ksh 200 per file | 1 day | |
| Request for certified copies(The customer to provide an official request) | Public register of Bankrupts/No Asset Procedure/Summary Installment Order | Ksh 1,000 | 1 day | |
| Other documents | Ksh 500 per page | |||
| Application for admission to the No Asset Procedure | Form No. 12 Form No. 28 Form No. 9 | Ksh 15,000 | Subject to creditors objection | |
| Application Summary Installment Orders | Form No. 24 Form No. 9 Form No. 12 | Ksh 20,000 | Subject to creditors objection | |
| Application for list of Insolvency Practitioners | Official request by clients | Ksh 500 | 1 day | |
| Application for Individual Voluntary Arrangement of natural persons | Form No. 8 Form No. 10 (amended) Form No. 11 Form No. 23A Debtor’s proposal | Ksh 30,000 | Subject to approval by creditors | |
| Appointment of a Liquidator by court | Official Receiver | Form No. 32G Form No. 32F Form No. 32 | Subject to co-operation of parties | |
| Insolvency Practitioner | Form No. 32G Form No. 32F | Ksh 10,000 | ||
| Application for Administration through court | Form No. 32 Form No. 32D Form No. 36 | Ksh 40,000 | 1 hour | |
| Appointment of an Administrator | Official Receiver | Form No. 35 Form No. 36 Form No. 37 | Within 1 year of appointment | |
| Insolvency Practitioner | Ksh 10,000 | 1 day | ||
| Application for Members Voluntary Liquidation | Form No. 32A Form No. 32B Form No. 32 | Based on the value of subject matter: On the first Ksh 1,000,000 pay Ksh 100,000. 10% on the balance thereafter. | Within 1 year of appointment | |
| Application for Creditors Voluntary Liquidation | Form No. 32A Form No. 32B | Based on the value of subject matter: On the first Ksh 1,000,000 pay Ksh 150,000. 10% on the balance thereafter. | ||
| Application for Company Voluntary Arrangement | Form No. 32 Form No. 32C (amended) Form No. 32D Directors’ proposal | Ksh 40,000 | Subject to approval by creditors | |
| Filing of an appointment of a proxy | Form No. 17 | Ksh 1,000 | 1 day | |
| Appointment of an Insolvency Practitioner as liquidator under Voluntary Liquidation | Members Voluntary Liquidation | Form No. 32 Form No. 32A Form No. 32B | Ksh 10,000 | 1 day |
| Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation | Notice of creditors’ meeting. Minutes of the meeting. Resolution for liquidation. | |||
| Issuance of a Certificate of Compliance for a liquidation petition | Member’s petition (director & shareholders) | Form No. 32C Form No. 32D Form No. 32 | Ksh 40,000 | 1 day |
| Creditor’s petition | Form No. 32C Form No. 32D Form No. 32E | |||
| Objections | No Asset Procedure | Reply to Official Receiver’s notice to creditors | Nil | 1 day |
| Summary Instalment Order | Form No. 25 | Ksh 4,000 | ||
| Requesting for and receiving the statements of affairs | Filled statements of financial position | Ksh 2,000 | 14 days after the order | |
| Declaration of the dividends | Proof of debt forms. Official receiver’s calculated accounts. (Form No. 32J, 32K). | Nil | Determined by the court | |
| Application for release of the Official Receiver | Bankruptcy Trustee | Form No. 16 Form No. 15 Form No. 21 Form No. 22 Form No. 22A | Nil | Determined by the court |
| Liquidator | Form No. 32L Form No. 32K Form No. 32H Form No. 33 Form No. 34 | |||
4. Fees chargeable by registrar for inspecting documents or obtaining copies of documents or information
| No. | Matter | Fee |
| 1. | Disclosure by the Registrar under section 203 of the Act of protected information to a credit reference agency. | Ksh 500 |
| 2. | Right under section 227 of the Act to inspect the register of disqualification orders and disqualification undertakings relating to company directors. | Ksh 500 |
| 3. | Right to inspect the register of foreign restrictions under section 236 of the Act. | Ksh 500 |
| 4. | Under section 834 of the Act, for the provision of documents, or parts of documents, forming the Register. | Ksh 500 per page |
| 5. | The right of a person under section 836 of the Act to a copy of a certificate of incorporation of any specified company. | Ksh 500 |
| 6. | The right of a person under section 884 of the Act to inspect a company’s register of charges. | Ksh 500 |
5. Miscellaneous fees
| No. | Matter | Fees |
| 1. | For making an application for a licence under section 55 of the Act. | Ksh 3,000 |
| 2. | For lodging of a notice of change of name lodged under sections 63 and 64 of the Act: | |
| If lodged within 14 days after the date of the change. | Ksh 2,000 | |
| If lodged after the expiry of that period. | Ksh 3,000 | |
| 3. | For the registration under section 878 of the Act of a charge created by a company, or for the registration under section 879 of the Act of a charge existing over property when acquired by a company: | |
| If the amount secured by the charge does not exceed Ksh 10,000,000. | Ksh 2,000 | |
| If the amount secured by the charge exceeds Ksh 10,000,000 but does not exceed Ksh 50,000,000. | Ksh 4,000 | |
| If the amount secured by the charge exceeds Ksh 50,000,000 but does not exceed Ksh 100,000,000. | Ksh 6,000 | |
| If the amount secured by the charge exceeds Ksh 100,000,000 but does not exceed Ksh 150,000,000. | Ksh 8,000 | |
| If the amount secured by the charge exceeds Ksh 100,000,000 but does not exceed Ksh 150,000,000. | Ksh 10,000 | |
| If the amount secured by the charge exceeds Ksh 150,000,000 but does not exceed Ksh 200,000,000. | Ksh 12,000 | |
| If the amount secured by the charge exceeds Ksh 250,000,000. | Ksh 14,000 | |
| 4. | For the registration under section 883 of the Act of a verified copy of a document creating or evidencing a charge over property located outside Kenya. | Ksh 2,000 |
| 5. | For the registration under section 887 of the Act of a memorandum of satisfaction lodged in respect of a registered charge. | Ksh 2,000 |
| 6. | For an application by a company to strike its name off the register under section 897 of the Act. | Ksh 2,000 |
6. Fees payable to the High Court and Attorney General
| No. | Matter | Fees |
| 1. | Right of certain persons under section 797(4) of the Act to obtain a copy of a report submitted to the Court by an inspector appointed by the Court. | Ksh 500 per page |
| 2. | Right of certain persons under section 809(4) of the Act to obtain a copy of a report submitted to the Attorney General by an inspector appointed by the Attorney General. | Ksh 500 per page |
7. Fees chargeable by companies for services provided under the act
| No. | Matter | Fees |
| 1. | Right of a person under section 96 of the Act to inspect a company’s register of members. | Ksh 500 |
| 2. | Right of a person under section 96 of the Act to obtain a copy of a company’s register of members under section 96 of the Act. | Ksh 500 |
| 3. | Right of member under section 192 of the Act to obtain copy of a director’s service contract, or a memorandum setting out the terms of the contract. | Ksh 500 |
| 4. | Right of a member under section 199 of the Act to obtain copy of qualifying indemnity provision relating to a director of the company. | Ksh 500 |
| 5. | Right of person other than a member to inspect under section 248 of the Act a company’s register of secretaries. | Ksh 500 |
| 6. | Right of member on request made under section 320 of the Act to obtain a specified company record. | Ksh 500 |
| 7. | Right of a person under section 550 of the Act to obtain a copy of report made under section 548 of the Act. | Ksh 500 |
| 8. | Right under section 553 of the Act to inspect and require copies of entries in register of interests. | Ksh 500 |
| 9. | Right under section 574 of the Act of a person other than a member to inspect a company’s register of debenture holders. | Ksh 500 |
| 10. | Right under section 574 of the Act of a person to obtain a copy of a company’s register of debenture holders. | Ksh 500 |
| 11. | Right of a debenture holder under section 578 of the Act to obtain from the company a copy of the trust deed securing debentures. | Ksh 500 |
| 12. | Right of creditors, members and others under section 892 of the Act to inspect documents that create company’s charges and to inspect company’s register of charges. | Ksh 500 |
