(Last updated: 9 Sep 2013)
Doing business
Business culture
Business tips
Kenya is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and is the medium of instruction in primary and secondary schools, and universities. Swahili is the local language.
When introduced to someone for the first time, a short handshake is sufficient. Handshakes among people with a personal relationship are longer.
When greeting an elder, political leader or someone of higher status, it is a sign of respect to lower your eyes, grasp the right wrist with the left hand while shaking hands. After the handshake it is the norm to ask questions about the general well-being of the other person, their family or business in general. Rushing or skipping this part of the greeting process is poor etiquette.
Titles are important. People are generally addressed by their academic, professional or honorific title followed by their surname. Once a personal relationship has developed, you can address a person by their title and first name, first name alone, or nickname. Wait for the Kenyan to determine that your friendship has reached this level of intimacy.
Kenyans often use metaphors, analogies and stories to make a point. They are uncomfortable with blunt statements. It is important to be alert in order to decipher the message between the lines. Criticism should be delivered in private and in a circumspect manner.
Setting up in Kenya
A company incorporated outside Kenya may do business in Kenya through a registered branch. The process of registration requires the company to submit registration documents to the Registrar of Companies and once the process of registration is complete, the Registrar will issue a Certificate of Compliance. Companies that may want to have representative or liaison offices are required to register using the same process.
All businesses are required to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) which is the tax registration document, through the Kenya Revenue Authority.
There are no restrictions on the percentage of equity that foreign nationals may hold in locally incorporated companies, apart from a few on owning shares in financial institutions and agricultural land.
Banking and finance
Currently there are there are 43 licensed commercial banks and 1 mortgage finance company. Out of the 44 institutions, 31 are locally owned and 13 are foreign owned.
The locally owned financial institutions comprise 3 banks with significant shareholding by the Government and State Corporations, 27 commercial banks and 1 mortgage finance institution.
Foreigners can open accounts with any commercial bank. Different banks offer different types of accounts to suit various needs and requirements.
Links and resources
Government, business and trade
DFAT country page – www.dfat.gov.au/geo/Kenya
CIA World Factbook – https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ke.html
World Bank Doing Business Index – www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/kenya
Capital Markets Authority – www.cma.or.ke
Central Bank of Kenya – www.centralbank.go.ke
East African Community – www.eac.int
Kenya Bureau of Standards – www.kebs.org
Kenya Investment Authority – www.investmentkenya.com
Kenya Revenue Authority – www.kra.go.ke
News and media
Business Daily – www.businessdailyafrica.com
The East African – www.theeastafrican.co.ke
The Standard – www.standardmedia.co.ke
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.