Register a micro or small enterprise or jua kali association (MSEA)
Micro and Small Enterprises Authority · sources read 1 Oct 2026
Sign in to MSEA's eCitizen portal (msea.ecitizen.go.ke), pick the registration you need and pay there. Registering a single micro or small enterprise costs KSh 150 and an association or group KSh 550, and MSEA aims to finish in 1 day.
- Fee
- KSh 150Register a micro or small enterprise (MSE)KSh 550Register a groupKSh 550Register an associationKSh 1,050Register an umbrella organisation
- How long
- About 1 day
- Where
- Online on MSEA's eCitizen portal (msea.ecitizen.go.ke). In person: the Registrar of MSEs, 3rd Floor, Utalii House, Nairobi, or MSEA's offices at the County Commissioner's office in each county
What you need
- A working email address
- For a group: 3 officials and a list of 5 to 34 members
- For an association: at least 35 members
- For an association: a chairman, secretary and treasurer, and a signed constitution
Steps
- Go to msea.ecitizen.go.ke and sign in with your eCitizen account (sign up first if you don't have one).
- Choose the service: 'Micro And Small Enterprises' for one business, or 'Name Search And Registration Association' for a group or jua kali association.
- Fill in the form, attach what's asked for, and pay on eCitizen.
Watch out
- The law expects you to apply within 28 days of forming the enterprise or association, so register early.
- To check that a business, group or association is really registered with MSEA, use 'Official Search' on the same portal.
Who can apply
- Informal business owners who want to formalise their business and join MSEA's support programmes.
- Small enterprises with a common economic goal (for example jua kali artisans) can register together as a group or association.
Official sources (4)
- MSEA Service Charter (English) msea.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Registrar of MSE Associations msea.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- MSEA County Offices msea.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026
- Micro and Small Enterprises Authority - eCitizen msea.ecitizen.go.ke · read 1 Oct 2026