Register a society or association (Registrar of Societies)
Registrar of Societies, Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice · sources read 30 Sep 2026
Apply to the Registrar of Societies on eCitizen (societies.ecitizen.go.ke) with Form A, Form B and your constitution, signed by your chairperson, secretary and treasurer, and pay the KSh 2,000 fee. Apply within 28 days of forming the society.
- Fee
- KSh 2,000Registration (or exemption) application
- Deadline
- Apply within 28 days after the society is formed
- Where
- Online on the Registrar of Societies eCitizen portal (societies.ecitizen.go.ke); the office is at Sheria House, Harambee Avenue, Nairobi
What you need
- Form A: key details of the society and its officials (name, objects, members, officials)
- Form B: the society's physical office and postal address
- The society's constitution, written to follow the Societies Act (Cap 108) and the Societies Rules
- Where the Registrar asks: a letter of recommendation or no objection (for example from NEMA, NACADA or a ministry, or a theology certificate for religious groups)
Steps
- Ask the Registrar of Societies to reserve your society's name. You can suggest up to 3 names.
- Fill in Form A and Form B and write your constitution. The chairperson, secretary and treasurer must all sign both forms.
- Submit the forms and constitution to the Registrar of Societies on eCitizen and pay the KSh 2,000 fee.
- The Registrar reviews the application and, once it's approved, issues your certificate of registration.
Watch out
- Until it's registered, the society can't lawfully collect contributions or donations from members.
- Depending on its objectives, your application may be vetted by other government agencies, including investigative agencies, so it can take longer.
- After registration you must file annual returns and audited accounts and hold meetings every year.
Who can apply
- A club, association or similar group of ten or more people based in Kenya, e.g. welfare, alumni, religious, professional, cultural or recreational groups
Official sources (6)
- Registration Procedure statelaw.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Constitution of a Society statelaw.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Application for Registration or Exemption From Registration statelaw.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Registrar of Societies statelaw.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Registering a Society in Kenya (Types of Certificates) statelaw.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Registrar of Societies - eCitizen societies.ecitizen.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026