File a society's annual returns (Form I)
Registrar of Societies · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Every year, hold your AGM, get your accounts audited, and file annual returns on Form I with the audited accounts at the Registrar of Societies. Exempt societies aren't strictly required to file.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- Registrar of Societies, Sheria House, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi. The Registrar's online portal is societies.ecitizen.go.ke.
What you need
- Form I (Annual Returns), filled in
- The society's audited accounts
Steps
- Give members at least 21 days' notice of the annual general meeting.
- The secretary sends a copy of the AGM notice to the Registrar of Societies.
- Have the year's accounts audited, as your constitution provides.
- Fill in Form I (Annual Returns) and file it with the audited accounts at the Registrar of Societies.
Watch out
- Unless your constitution says otherwise, an AGM needs two-thirds of registered members present to count.
- Only societies the Attorney General has exempted can skip strict filing, and that status can be withdrawn.
Who can apply
- Every society registered with the Registrar of Societies.
Official sources (5)
- The Constitution of a Society statelaw.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Forms statelaw.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Gazette Notice No. 5998 of 2020: Advisory on the conduct of virtual and hybrid general meetings by societies statelaw.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Registering a Society in Kenya statelaw.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Registrar of Societies - eCitizen societies.ecitizen.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026