Register a Business in Kenya: BRS, eCitizen and KRA PIN (2026)

To register a business in Kenya, you apply to the Business Registration Service (BRS) through the eCitizen platform, and you register for a tax PIN with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on iTax. Online sellers in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and elsewhere need both sooner or later, because banks, suppliers and marketplaces often ask for them. This guide sets out the steps in the order most owners follow, based on BRS and KRA pages read in October 2026.

Fees, forms and portals change, so confirm the current position with BRS and KRA before you pay. We do not give legal or tax advice.

What the BRS does and which portal to use

The BRS is the keeper of records for companies and other entities registered in Kenya. Its website also lists the Official Receiver in Insolvency, the E-Collateral Registry and the Hire Purchase Registry. On brs.go.ke the BRS says name reservation and business registration have been merged into one step, and you submit three preferred names with your full application through eCitizen. The site's registration link goes to brs.ecitizen.go.ke.

BRS's FAQ document (uploaded in 2024) refers to the business registration portal at brsv2.ecitizen.go.ke. Portal addresses can change, so start from brs.go.ke and follow its links rather than a link from a message or social media post.

Business name or company in Kenya

The BRS FAQ describes a business name as the simplest way to operate a business and says a business name is not a legal entity. A private limited company is a separate option and needs more details. According to the FAQ, directors and shareholders of a private limited company must be registered on iTax and provide recent passport photographs. If you start as a business name and later want a company, the FAQ says conversion is done through a cessation application with a signed DN-6 form, followed by an application for the new company type.

How to register a business name on eCitizen

The BRS FAQ gives these steps:

1. Log in to the eCitizen business registration portal.
2. Select Companies Registry Services and choose to make an application.
3. Select business name registration and apply.
4. Enter your preferred names in order of priority and complete the required information.
5. Sign the system-generated registration form, scan it and upload it.
6. Submit the application and approve the payment prompt sent to your phone.

The BRS homepage mentions three preferred names, while the FAQ says three to five ranked names, so follow whatever the portal asks for on the day. The FAQ lists a fee of Kshs 950 for a business name and Kshs 10,750 for a private limited company. These amounts come from a document uploaded in 2024, and BRS publishes a separate fee schedule, so check the current figure before you pay.

Get your KRA PIN

KRA describes a PIN as a Personal Identification Number used for dealings with KRA, other government agencies and service providers, and says the word "personal" also covers companies, clubs and trusts. Its page on who needs a PIN lists people who are employed, in business or earning rental income, and transactions such as importing goods and registering a business or company (KRA, about PIN).

Individuals. KRA's requirements page says residents need their National ID or Alien ID details, the employer's PIN details if employed, and business registration certificate details if in business. It directs applicants to iTax to apply (KRA, requirements).

Companies and partnerships. KRA's page says a person who has or expects a tax liability under the Income Tax Act or VAT Act, or who expects to import or manufacture excisable goods, must apply within thirty days of becoming liable. The steps are to visit iTax, select New PIN Registration, complete the online form, upload the required documents and submit. KRA lists the business registration certificate details, the PINs of the company directors and their National IDs as the documents to upload.

Business PIN steps. KRA's business PIN page says to select Non-Individual and Online Form, enter the business's basic details, tick the applicable tax obligations, add directors' or partners' details and tax agent details if any, then answer the arithmetic question and submit.

A sensible order of work

1. Get your personal KRA PIN first, since directors and shareholders of a private limited company must be registered on iTax.
2. Register the business name or company on eCitizen.
3. Register the business for tax on iTax, using the registration certificate details.
4. Open a business bank account and keep all certificates in one folder.
5. Check sector licences for your product. See our guide to product standards and certification in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.

A word of caution: pay only through the official eCitizen prompt, and check any helper or agent before sending money or copies of your ID. If in doubt, contact BRS through the contacts listed on brs.go.ke.

Ready to sell online?

Once you have your registration and PIN, you can sign up as a vendor at /register/vendor. Business verification (legal name, registration number, tax number, address and documents) is a separate later step in the vendor dashboard and does not block account creation or listing. Read best products to sell online in Kenya for product ideas, and see our guides for Ghana and Nigeria if you plan to sell across borders.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register a business in Kenya online? Yes. BRS says registration is done through eCitizen. Start from brs.go.ke.

Do I need a KRA PIN to register a business? KRA's list of PIN uses includes registering a business or company, and the BRS FAQ says directors and shareholders of a private limited company must be registered on iTax. Confirm what applies to your structure.

What is the difference between a business name and a company? Per BRS, a business name is not a legal entity, while a company is a separate option.

How long does it take? The pages we read did not state a timeline. Check the portal.

Do I need a KRA PIN to sell on Comilmart? You can create a vendor account first. A tax number is part of the later business verification step. See /seller-policy.

Next step

To register a business in Kenya, work through eCitizen for the BRS filing and iTax for your PIN, keeping your certificates together. Then open your seller account at /register/vendor, and use our marketplace seller checklist to prepare your products and policies. For platform questions, use live chat or /contact-us.