Starting a business in Kenya

Legal Forms of Companies

Public limited company

Number of partners: Minimum 51 members
Capital (max/min): Minimum KES 100,000
Shareholders and liability: Members are not liable beyond the amount of their capital contribution or the outstanding balance on the company's capital

Private limited company

Number of partners: Minimum 1, maximum 50 shareholders
Capital (max/min): Minimum KES 100,000
Shareholders and liability: Members are not liable beyond the amount of their capital contribution or the outstanding balance on the company's capital

Limited Liability Partnership

Number of partners: Minimum 2
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required
Shareholders and liability: Members are not liable beyond the amount of their capital contribution

General partnership

Number of partners: At least two members
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required
Shareholders and liability: All gains and losses are divided among its members according to their capital contribution

Sole proprietorship

Number of partners: One member only
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required
Shareholders and liability: A sole proprietor is personally liable for all debts

Business Setup Procedures

Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.