How To Start A Security Company In Kenya

How To Start A Security Company In Kenya. You’ll need at least Sh250,000 to start with in capital. Most of the money will go to company registration and to obtaining the necessary licenses. 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.

You’ll also need to procure uniforms and other accessories such as walkie-talkie kits and scanners. A guard’s full uniform (Boots, trousers, Shirt, Cap, whistle, Rungu, walkie-talkie) will set you back Sh20,000.

You’ll also need to factor in additional costs such as renting an office, website, and holding security training.

Table of Contents

Things you need to start a security company in Kenya

Licensing and Vetting

You’ll need to register your company and apply for a business permit with the costs varying from county to county. Moori Mabiria says his company spent Sh35,000 to get its license in Nairobi County.

You’ll also required is a certificate of good conduct for all directors which cost Sh1,000 per person. You’ll then apply for vetting by county security committee through the nearest CID offices which cost Sh5,000. Once you pass the vetting, your business will be issued with a certificate.

What you don’t need

You don’t have to have a security background or training. However, you’ll be required to employ qualified employees such as ex-police officers to manage the guards and equip them with necessary skills for their job.

Social Strategy

Physical Appeal

Well dressed and neat guards act as brand ambassadors.

“How your guards are dressed while on duty says a lot about the company,” Moori says.

Referrals

Referrals are only possible when you provide good service to your clients who in turn recommend others to your business. Moreover, it will be your responsibility to ask the company’s clients and friends to refer more business your way.

Website

Websites are an excellent platform to market your company and establish credibility. You should have a professional site with quality content as most people tend to trust well-designed ones. You should also consider adding testimonials from satisfied customers to boost your credibility.

Business card

Business cards help create a sense of professionalism and legitimacy. They’ll be useful when you are introducing yourself to potential clients. The business card should be well-designed, catchy and attractive.

In this article, we will be looking at how to register a security company;

Company Requirements
Duration of Registration
Open Business Bank Account
Company Registration Packages

Company Requirements

To register a limited company for your security business, you will need at least 1 person (director/shareholder) to register and must be above 18 years of age. You will also need to collect the following information and documents;

Company Name – you will need to come up with up-to 2 company name suggestions that we can help you to check its availability. If you have already performed your own name search, all you will need to provide us is the company name reservation letter that you were issued upon completion of your name search.
Nature of Business – list your primary and secondary business activities that you would like your security business to do – for example; general supplies, security equipment, security consultancy, security training etc.
Director(s) details – we will require the following details from each of the directors;
1. Full names of directors (As shown on ID or Passport)
2. Occupation – for example consultant, businessman, businesswoman
3. Postal address – you will need to provide postal address for each of the company director(s).
4. Residential address – you will need to give us your house number or LR number, house name or building name, street/road name, town.
Shares allocation – you will need to decide on how to allocate the shares. If your company will have only a sole director, then you can allocate 100% share ownership. But if you have additional directors, then you can split the share ownership such as Director 1 – 60%, Director 2 – 20%, Director 3 – 20%. Remember that the total number of shares available by default is 1,000 shares.
Proof of Identity documents – Company Registry has introduced a new rule that requires all company director(s)/shareholder(s) who are registering a new company to provide the following documentation as proof of their identity;
- Copy of KRA PIN Certificate (iTax Version) – for Kenyan citizens, if you are a foreigner, you won’t be required to provide this document. Please note that company PIN registration will require at least 1 director to have their personal KRA PIN.
- Copy of ID/Passport – make sure you scan both the front and back side of the ID.
- Photo – coloured photo of each director/shareholder with a clear background.

Signing of Company Documents

We will email your company document with instructions on how to sign them. Please note that Company Registry usually do not allow scanned or photocopied signed documents and it might get rejected by Company Registrar causing delays in your company registration. Please make sure that all signed company documents (Form CR1, CR2, CR8 & Nominal Share Capital) are originally signed when submitting your company documents.

Duration of Registration

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

Open Business Bank Account

Once we have registered your limited company, you’ll receive your certificate of incorporation, memorandum and company PIN that will assist you to open your Business Bank Account. We recommend you to print the Form CR1 that we had used to submit your application, then you can get it signed and take it to the bank.
You can find the article of association for your company on the official website of Attorney General that will be adopted during the registration of your company. Go to page 168-225 and print 57 pages of the Fourth Schedule that contains your MODEL ARTICLES FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES LIMITED BY SHARES that can be used to open your business bank account (if required by your bank).

Are You Ready? Register Your Security 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.