By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
So you want to start a business in Kenya? Great! Grab your ambition, your paperwork, and your favorite bribe-free attitude — because the journey’s about to get fun.
Kenya is one of the most business-savvy countries in Africa. People are born entrepreneurs. They can sell you water in the rain, umbrellas in the desert, and Wi-Fi in a power blackout. It’s that serious.
Step 1: Register the Business
- Go online to the eCitizen portal.
- Choose your business name (something catchy like “Blessed Enterprises Ltd” — there are 4,000 of those).
- Pay a small fee and get your registration certificate.
⏳ Timeline: Could take a few hours to a few days. If it takes a few weeks, don’t worry — you’re now part of the system.
🤓 Pro Tip: Kenyans love the word “solutions.” Add it to any business name for instant credibility. “Tech Solutions,” “Farm Solutions,” “Relationship Solutions” — even if you’re just selling roasted maize.
📜 Bonus Tip: Always have a backup name. Your first three options are probably taken by someone’s cousin.
Step 2: Get Your Permits
Depending on your industry, you may need:
- A Single Business Permit from your county.
- Health and safety permits.
- Fire safety certificates (even if you’re selling water).
- And sometimes a noise permit — especially if you plan to play loud reggae.
Step 3: Open a Bank Account
This is the part where you explain your business idea to a banker who’s definitely judging your grammar and your startup capital. Remember, confidence is key — even if your capital is “faith and vibes.”
💡 Banking Insight: Most SMEs use mobile money more than banks — because MPesa doesn’t close for lunch, take tea breaks, or say “the system is down.”
Step 4: Pay Your Taxes (No, Really)
KRA is watching. They have eyes like a hawk and servers that don’t sleep. You’ll need:
- A KRA PIN
- Monthly returns
- Maybe a therapist
🧠 Fun Fact: Filing your returns late might cost you more than your entire monthly revenue. But hey, it’s character development!
🎯 Bonus Tips:
- Network like your life depends on it — because it probably does. Kenyans can turn a wedding into a LinkedIn event.
- Have a cousin at City Hall — just kidding (or not).
- Hire slowly, fire politely. People know people. And those people might know your landlord, pastor, or future investor.
- Watch out for “briefcase companies” — businesses that exist only on paper and at overpriced networking events.
- If it sounds too good to be true — it probably came with a business plan on WhatsApp.
🍔 Side Hustle Nation: Your graphics designer probably sells burgers on Friday nights. Don’t be surprised.
🪙 Kenyan Hustle Fact: Every third person in Nairobi is “starting something big.” If you ask what it is, they’ll say, “I’ll tell you after funding.” Translation: “Still figuring it out.”
Final Word
Kenya rewards the bold, the persistent, and the creatively legal. If you can survive the paperwork, the rent, and the Wi-Fi outages — you’re already halfway to success.
Start small, dream big, and remember — everyone you meet might be a client… or your next business partner… or your landlord pretending to be broke.
Next up in Chapter Twenty-Five:
“Taxation in Kenya – Where Your Money Goes (Or Doesn’t).”
About the Author
John is an entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of JS Morlu, LLC, a Virginia based CPA firm with multiple software ventures including www.FinovatePro.com, www.Recksoft.com and www.Fixaars.com . With operations spanning multiple countries, John is on a mission to build global infrastructure that empowers small businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals to thrive in an increasingly competitive world. He believes in hard truths, smart execution, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. When he’s not writing or building, he’s challenging someone to a productivity contest—or inventing software that automates it.