How To Start A Security Company In Kenya

There has been a growth in the private security sector in Kenya. This has been attributed to the high demand for security by corporate, small businesses and also at the residential homes. With this demand, comes a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to venture into the security sector.

Research Your Business Idea

Performing your research for your security business is one of the most essentials things that you need to do. You will need to determine which type of security company you would like to engage in.

Make sure you do your research on demand and supply in the security sector to understand about your potential customers and competitors. Look at your competitors and see how much they charge for their products or services. Consider creating security products/services that actually solves the current security challenges in order to stand out. Take your time to ask potential customers how much they are willing to pay for such services. This will help you with your pricing.

Make sure you don’t focus so much on competing on price with your competitors instead work on value addition on your products or services in order to stand out.
You need to also ask yourself how much cash are you willing to inject into your business to operate. Consider doing a financial plan or cash flow forecast.

Getting Registered

Here is an article that will give you the steps you need to follow in order to register your security limited company in Kenya. Make sure you have all the information required in order to save time in the registration process so to avoid any delays.

• How To Register A Security Limited Company In Kenya
• How To Register A Foreign Security Company In Kenya
• Upgrade Your Security Sole Proprietor Business To Become Limited Company
• Upgrade Your Security Partnership Business To Become Limited Company

Resources for Company Registration

• Memorandum & Articles of Association
• How To Add or Remove Director In Limited Company
• How To Register For AGPO Certificate
• How To Apply For P.O. Box Registration
• How To Get CR-12 Letter For Your Company
• Replacing Damaged or Lost Certificate of Incorporation
• How To Change Your Company Name

Business Training & Support

You can join Kenya Security Industry Association (KSIA) once you have registered your company, however, it’s not mandatory. According to KSIA, when you become a member, you will gain the benefit of being entitled to display the SIA Quality Seal and thus enable the public to distinguish between companies which meet the standards and pledge to the Charter and those which do not. Each seal will indicate which type or types of security product and service the member provides to KSIA standard. The seal is an authoritative endorsement that a security service company operates in accordance with high standards and a strict code of practice.

Being part of KSIA, you will get updated with any changes that happen in the Kenya security law and how you can comply with the security regulations.  
It is also important but not compulsory that you need to understand the justice system in Kenya, this includes the criminal law, security law and other relevant law that will affect your company directly or indirectly.

This is not mandatory, but it is an added value to your company if you have a vast knowledge of security or have a business partner who has experience in the security sector. If your security company is involved in offering services such as security guards, you will need to make sure that they are trained and that you have also done a CRB background check on each of them at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This will provide customer confidence and also protect your business from liability.

Business Premises

When setting up a business premise, you need to consider getting a business permit. This is an important document that you need to obtain if you are getting an office space for your company. At the moment, there are 47 counties in Kenya and each county requires any business operating within its borders to obtain a business permit. The requirements vary from county to county, so it is important to visit your local county office to find out the actual requirements and cost.

For example; if you are looking to apply for a business permit in Nairobi, you can make your application at Nairobi County Offices.

In an article on Fenesi.com, I had written how you can start with a small office and avoid putting your business at risk when selecting your business premises. You can even share offices with someone who already has one, this will reduce your operational costs.

Resource for Business Premises

• How To Apply For Business Permit in Nairobi County
• Mombasa County Launches Electronic Business Permit
• How To Secure Company Seal In Kenya

Regulations on Security Sector

In Business, understanding the regulations and law that governs the sector is crucial. In the security industry, you need to be aware of the Private Security Industry Regulation Bill that was signed into law by President Uhuru Kenyatta in May 2016. We won’t go into details in this article, but here is a link that will provide you with more information on the private security law;

Resources for Law & Regulations

• The Private Security Industry Regulation Bill Signed Into Law 2016

You need to be aware that the registration process for a security company will need to undergo security vetting by NSIS during the company registration process. This process usually takes time (6 months or more, depending on the workload of NSIS & Company Registry & Changes to Regulations) and therefore it is better to start the process much earlier.

Are You Ready? Register Your Company Today!

We are excited that you want to register your limited company and we are happy to get everything started so you can start trading soon. Here are the step by step guide on how we will assist you to register your limited company;

Step 1: Pricing Plans

You will need to select which registration package you prefer;

Lite Plan – Ksh. 20,000 – Includes Company Name Search, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum, CR12 Letter only.

Premium Plan – Ksh. 40,000 – Includes Company Name Search, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum, CR12 Letter, Company KRA PIN, VAT Registration, Tax Compliance Certificate Registration, Lipa Na Mpesa Account Registration, Business Cash Advance Facility, Masterpass QR Registration, Website Design, SSL Certificate for Website, Domain Name (.COM or .CO.KE), Web Hosting (10GB Diskspace), Unlimited Company Email Accounts, Logo Design, Business Card Design, Letterhead Design and Business Consultancy.

Step 2: Requirement Form

Please download and fill this Requirement Form below with your information.

Click on this link to download the Company Registration Requirements Form [Word Version, 3 Pages, Size: 19.7KB]

Step 3: Registration Order

Once you complete your company requirement form, you will need to upload it on the registration order below and submit your order.

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