Register a ship or boat in Kenya (Certificate of Kenya Registry)
Kenya Maritime Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Fill KMA's Form 28A with Forms 28B, 29A and 46, attach your title, ID and builder's documents, and lodge it with the Kenya Maritime Authority. No vessel may sail in Kenyan waters unregistered.
- Fee
- First registration of a vessel costs USD 500, whatever its size.
- How long
- About 14 days for initial registration
- Where
- Kenya Maritime Authority, Bahari Towers, Mbaraki Road, Mombasa (also offices in Kisumu). Forms are on kma.go.ke.
What you need
- Form 28A (application), filled in bold capital letters
- Form 28B and Form 46 (proposed ship name)
- Copy of the title documents (first registration)
- Copy of your passport or national ID
- Certificate of incorporation, if a company owns the vessel
- Copy of the builder's certificate
- Bill of sale
Steps
- Download the forms from kma.go.ke. On Form 46, propose the ship's name and give alternatives in case the first one is not approved.
- Each owner signs a declaration of ownership (Form 29A, or 29B for a company) before a Registrar of Kenya Ships, magistrate, commissioner for oaths, notary public or consular officer.
- Fill Form 28A as the owner or agent, attach Forms 28B and 46 and the supporting documents, and lodge them with KMA.
- Once you have the Certificate of Kenya Registry, ask KMA for the vessel's radio call sign. It is free and takes about 2 days.
Watch out
- KMA charges in US dollars: initial registration of a vessel of 50 gross tonnes or more is USD 500, whatever its size.
- Boats of 24 m and below are inspected and licensed by KMA. A motor boat up to 4 m pays USD 10, plus USD 1 for each extra metre.
- The registration certificate does not prove ownership and does not show mortgages. Register any change of owner with KMA.
Who can apply
- The Government of Kenya, Kenyan citizens and companies registered in Kenya.
- Foreign individuals or companies in a genuine joint venture with Kenyans (other cases are listed on Form 28A).
Official sources (7)
- Vessel Registration kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Form 28A: Application for registration of Kenyan ship kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Form 29A: Declaration of eligibility and ownership (individual/joint owners) kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Form 46: Notice of name proposed for a Kenya ship kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Certificate of Kenya Registry (specimen) kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- KMA English Citizens' Service Delivery Charter, July 2026 kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Contact kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026