Setting up a Business in Kenya

| 5 EASY STEPS | Procedures for Establishing a Company in Kenya |
| Patents and trade marks | Work permits | Import and export procedures |

5 EASY STEPS

1. Fill the "One Stop"Kenya Investment Authority KIA application form.
2. Engage legal advice in Kenya
3. Register your business.
4. Submit KIA form + Certificate of Incorporation + Articles and memorandum of association to IPC
5. Issue of the Certificate of General Authority(Investment license)

Procedures for Establishing a Company in Kenya

1. Registered Companies(private and public)
2. Branch offices of companies registered outside Kenya
3. Partnerships
4. Sole proprietorships
5. Co-operatives

Companies are registered as limited liability companies as in 1 and 2 above, and regulated by the companies Act (Cap 486). Kenya's legal system is based on English law and practice. A wide range of legal services are locally available. For further details visit KIA website at: http://www.investmentkenya.com

Patents and trade marks

Patents are regulated by the Industrial Property Act and administered by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), while trademarks are regulated by the Trade and Service Marks Act (Cap 506) and administered by the Registrar of Trademarks at KIPI. The duration of trademarks is seven years from the date of filling and renewable every 14 years.

Work permits

The government allows investors to have key expatriate staff in senior management positions or where the locals with specific skills are not available. Work permits for such expatriates are issued by the immigration department and are valid for one to two years, renewable on application.

Import and export procedures

There is no import licensing except for a few items restricted for security, health or environmental reasons detailed in the Imports, Exports and Essential Supplies Act (Cap 502).