Home to Africa’s business

Guide to Kenya

www.horizonsoffices.com

KENYA: GENERAL INFORMATION

Full name: The Republic of Kenya

Population: 42.7 million (UN, 2012)

Capital: Nairobi

Area: 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles)

Major languages: Swahili, English

International dial code: +254

Geography and Climate

Kenya is one of the largest countries in East Africa. It borders the Indian Ocean in the east, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan in the north, Uganda in the west, and Tanzania in the south. The coastal plain is tropical and the interior features a sub-tropical climate that gets cooler and more moderate in the highlands.

People and Languages

There are dozens of ethnicities, each speaking their own language in Kenya. The biggest ethnic group are the Bantu people. African people represent over 99% of Kenya’s population, followed by the Arab Muslims, Kenyan Indians and people of European descent. The two main languages are Kiswahili and English.

RELOCATION TO KENYA

Office relocations are often daunting filled with bureaucratic and legal hurdles. To help you avoid the

most common pitfalls associated with moving office internationally, Horizons Offices has provided the

following hints, tips and useful advice to make your transition that much easier.

Relocation Check List

Moving involves planning and preparation. International moving is notorious for being extra difficult. It

is often hard to keep track of what you need to do to prepare for relocation. Use the checklist below as

a guide to help you through your move:

Meet with an immigration official

Contact your local embassy or consulate for more information on meeting with an immigration officer who can talk you through documentation such as visas and work permits that are required. For additional information about visa requirements, you can also visit the Kenyan immigration website

http://www.immigration.go.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=114

Collect necessary documents

Make sure that all your personal documentation is up to date e.g. passports, driver’s licenses,

professional licensees and membership cards. Also ensure that you have copies of your birth and

marriage certificates and medical records.

Get Immunised

To travel to Kenya, you will need to have the following shots: Hepatitis A and B, Polio, Typhoid, Malaria,

Meningitis, Rabies and Yellow Fever before travelling. Check with your local health care provider or

travel health clinic for more information.

Purchase Health Insurance

Check if your local health plan can be extended to insure you in Africa. Alternatively, please do speak to Horizons Offices’ Personal Assistants about local health insurance providers. Aga Khan Kisumu

Access to Funds

Speak to your bank about how to access your funds overseas. Many large banks in Europe or the US

have branches in Nairobi, or have a partnership with a local bank. This can make transferring money

between a home country and Kenya easier. The largest banks are Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered,

which are British-owned, and Kenya Commercial Bank. If you decide to move all your funds into a local

Kenyan bank, please speak to Horizons Offices’ Personal Assistants for advice on local banks.

STARTING A BUSINESS IN KENYA

In order to register a company in Kenya you will need to:

Reserve a company name and get it approved by the Registrar of Companies Prepare a Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association Complete various forms including a Statement of Nominal Capital, Particulars of Directors and

Shareholders, Situation of Registered Office and Certificate of a Lawyer involved in the Formation of the Company

Stamp the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association and the Statement of Nominal Capital at the Lands Office together with payment of stamp duty on Nominal Capital

File all the forms together with one stamped copy of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association with the Registrar of Companies

You will then be issued with a Certificate of Incorporation by the Registrar of Companies after your project has undergone Environmental, Health and Security impact assessments depending on the sector. For public companies, in addition to the Certificate of Incorporation, the Registrar will issue a Trading Certificate.

Companies tend to be registered as limited liability companies as in and are regulated by the companies

Act (Cap 486). Kenya's legal system is based on English law and practice. A wide range of legal services

are locally available. For further details please visit the Kenya Investment Authority website

at: http://www.investmentkenya.com

Opening a branch office of an overseas company

An overseas company wishing to open a branch office in Kenya should deliver the following to the Registrar of Companies:

A certified copy of the Charter, Statutes or Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, or other instruments defining the constitution of the company;

A list of the directors and secretary of the company, giving full names, nationality and other directorships of companies in Kenya;

A statement of all existing charges entered into by the company affecting properties in Kenya; Names and postal addresses of one or more persons resident in Kenya authorised to accept, on

behalf of the company, service of notices required to be served on the company; Full address of the registered or principal office of the company in its home country and full

address of place of business in Kenya Register with the Kenyan Investment Authority

Horizons Offices can help reduce the bureaucracy you face by assisting with any advice in relation to licensing, immigration and negotiating tax incentives. If you need assistance please do get in contact with us. Click here to Contact Us

LIVING IN KENYA

Kenya is a beautiful country with a variety of amenities to make your stay a pleasant one as you go

about building and nurturing your business at horizons offices

Accommodation

Short stay –there are a variety of hotels inns and furnished serviced apartments to suit your lifestyle

needs. Our Personal Assistants are at hand to help you find the right accommodation for you.

Long stay- the real-estate market is on the rise. There are several new housing projects at different price

points. Our in house PA s are at hand to help you identify a suitable location and accommodation that

will make you feel comfortable throughout your stay here in Kenya. Also available to you is a list of

trusted realtors in the country.

Renting property in Kenya

A wide range of accommodation options are available including stand-alone houses, garden cottages, downtown apartment blocks and townhouse complexes. To find out information on local estate agents, please speak to one of our Horizons Offices’ Personal Assistants – Contact Us

Buying property in Kenya

Mortgages have become widely available in Kenya, in both local and foreign currencies. Buying property in Kenya – and especially in Nairobi – can be a stellar investment. To find out about local mortgage providers and how to navigate the property market, please speak to one of our Horizons Offices’ Personal Assistants – Contact Us

Recreation spots When are looking for a place to relax away from home and your business home Kenya offers a wide

range of places to visit and a plethora of activities to per take in.

Restaurants and hotels- there are several top end quality eateries that can accommodate any palate and taste

Shopping- the mall scene in Nairobi has been ever changing for the better. We have several malls spread out through the country, so no matter what county you are in there is always a shopping mall near you where you can get your groceries and basic necessities.

Parks and museums- Nairobi happens to be the only urban city in the world with a national wildlife park 15 minutes from the CBD. You can drop by and enjoy the majestic big five or visit our numerous museums on history and art.

Cinemas- there are several movie theatres in and around the city as well as screenings of speciality films in some of our cultural centers

Night life- for those who enjoy a good watering hole, there are several night clubs, pubs and bars available if you want to put on your dancing shoes and let loose after a long week

Health Kenya has several private and referral hospitals that offer world class health service. Most of these

hospitals accept medical insurance cover.

Here is a list of private hospitals and medical clinics in Nairobi and Mombasa offering all medical

services at international standards:

Nairobi Hospital www.nairobihospital.org

Aga Khan Hospital Nairobi www.agakhanhospitals.org

Mombasa Hospital www.mombasahospital.com

Diani Beach Hospital www.dianibeachhospital.com

Mater Hospital Nairobi www.materkenya.com

Gertrude’s Garden Children’s Hospital Nairobi www.gerties.org

Nairobi Women’s Hospital www.nwch.co.ke

Safety It is paramount that you identify the closest police station, fire department and hospital where you

decide to settle in. This will ensure all your bases are covered for quick response in case of an

emergency.

Here are some hot line emergency numbers you may call

Kenya Police

CENTRAL POLICE STATION 0712 179 524, 0736350100

KILIMANI POLICE STATION 0712 179 5622, 0736350101

INDUSTRIAL AREA P STATION 0712 179 561

LANGATA POLICE STATION 0712 179 5224, 0736350103

BURUBURU POLICE STATION 0712 179 5216, 0736350105

KASARANI POLICE STATION 0712 179 5637, 0736350106

KAYOLE POLICE STATION 0712 179 520

ONGATA RONGAI P STATION 0712 179 5235, 0736350104

EMBAKASI 0736350102

PARKLANDS 0736350109

PANGANI 0736350110

MUTHAIGA 0736350111

KILIMANI POLICE STATION 020-3531853

KILELESSHWA POLICE STATION 020-3531854

MUTHANGARI POLICE STATION 020-3531855

JAMHURI POLICE STATION 020-3531856

EMBAKASI POLICE STATION 020-3531857

INDUSTRIAL AREA POLICE STATION 020-3531858

LANGATA POLICE STATION 020-3531859

KAREN POLICE STATION 020-3531860

RIRUTA POLICE STATION 020-3531861

ONGATA RONGAI POLICE STATION 020-3531862

NGONG POLICE STATION 020-3531863

BURUBURU POLICE STATION 020-3531864

JOGOOO POLICE STATION 020-3531865

KASARANI POLICE STATION 020-3531867

PANGANI POLICE STATION 020-3531868

MUTHAIGA POLICE STATION 020-3531869

RUARAKA POLICE POST 020-3531870

GIGIRI POLICE STATION 020-3531872

PARKLANDS POLICE STATION 020-3531873

KABETE POLICE STATION 020-3531874

SPRING VALLEY POLICE STATION 020-3531875

RUNDA POLICE STATION 020-3531876

St. John Ambulance

Headquarters Nairobi

0202210000 or 0721 225 285

020 34 02 62/72/83

info@stjohnkenya.org

Emergency Number Nairobi 999

AMREF Flying doctors service 020 600090, 020 020 600602

Emergency Number 020 6992299

PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN KENYA

Buses Kenya has a large long-distance bus network which is used by the majority of people who travel within the country. Travelling by bus is a cost-effective but time-consuming way to get around Kenya.

There are a number of different bus companies to choose from in Kenya and reputable service providers include Crown Bus Services, Easy Coach and Modern Coast Express. The frequency of buses depends on a particular route. On popular routes, such as that from Nairobi to Mombasa, there are around four buses per day. Tickets generally need to be purchased at a bus terminal, although some companies have started to offer online purchasing options.

Trains The newly opened Syokimau train allows people to commute to and from and within Nairobi. Trains travel between Nairobi and Mombasa around three times a week and between Nairobi and Kisumu just once a week. Train fares are cheap, with various different options including sleeper compartments available. Despite being slow, travelling by train in Kenya provides a great opportunity to view some stunning natural landscapes.

Matatus Matatus are privately operated minibuses which cover short or medium distances in Kenya. Vehicles usually seat 25 people comfortably, but some drivers will load more passengers into a single matatu. Travelling by matatu provides a uniquely Kenyan experience, with their colourful décor and loud music.

Matatus provide the cheapest way of getting around in Kenya, with prices being based on distance travelled.

Domestic flights in Kenya

Flying between destinations in Kenya is often the fastest way to get around. Kenya Airways is the country’s main airline and offers daily domestic flights between Nairobi and Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu and Kisumu. While the prices of domestic flights in Kenya fluctuate regularly they are generally quite reasonably priced and online booking is available.

Other domestic flight operators include Fly540 and Air Kenya which serve Nairobi, Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Amboseli, Masai Mara, Meru, Nanyuko and Samburu. The frequency of these flights varies considerably and flight delays and cancellations are common; check with the airline before travelling to the airport.

Driving in Kenya

Those who do decide to drive in Kenya will find that most global car rental companies have branches in Nairobi and Mombasa. There are smaller companies that offer more competitive rates but are unlikely to offer a full back-up network in the event of a breakdown, like the big names such as Avis or Sixt would be able to. Many car rental companies in Kenya offer the option to hire a car with a driver. Expats who are settled in Kenya tend to buy a car and hire a driver.

Expats looking to travel off the beaten track should look at the option of buying or hiring a 4x4, as these vehicles are better equipped to deal with dirt roads. Furthermore, road signage is Kenya is very poor, so expats should try to ensure that they have a good map or GPS system.

Taxes in Kenya

If relocating from another country, taxes should be something to discuss with your employer. Expats

should do their best to avoid being taxed twice, once in their home country and once in Kenya.

Income tax returns need to be filed by expats working in Kenya by 30 June each year. Recent developments have meant that expats can now submit these returns online.

Kenya has double taxation treaties with some countries, which prevent some expats from being taxed on one income in both Kenya and in their home country. Filing taxes is a complicated procedure even without filing them in dual tax systems; thus, expats should consult an expat tax advisor for help.

Shipping and Removals in Kenya

Shipping items to Kenya, by plane or by boat, can be a long and expensive process. If bringing minimal goods across, it may be cheaper and more efficient to check items as excess luggage; prices vary with each airline. Items that accompany an expat as airline baggage are not subject to taxes. In most cases, airline shipping is sent to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport freight department, and boat shipping arrives at Mombasa Port Customs.

Customs and Import Duty

All items imported into Kenya, whether by airline freight or ocean shipping, must be cleared through customs on arrival and the appropriate duty import taxes must be paid.

For first-time expats in Kenya, all household goods and personal effects are duty-free within 3 months of issue of their work permit. For items imported outside of the 3-month period, goods are duty-free only if they have been in the owner’s possession for at least one year prior to import. All items outside of these requirements will be assessed for duty payable on each individual item. Most items have set rates for import, i.e. CDs and DVDs have a per-item duty rate, irrespective of the price originally paid for them, or the amount or type of content thereon.

Expats should note that after shipping and duty costs on some items, it may be cheaper to buy all household items new in Kenya. Most furniture, household goods and other electrical items are inexpensive and readily available.

Sterling BuildingIkoyi

Nigeria

Luther Plaza Uhuru Highway

Kenya

Belgravia Center 14 Riverside Drive

Hannover Center14 Riverside Drive

Riverside ParkWaiyaki Way

www.horizonsoffices.com