The Registrar of Companies, Joyce Koech, has announced the impending closure of 77 companies across Kenya within the next three months.
According to a report by Kenyans.co.ke, a Gazette notice, issued on February 5, 2025, states that these companies will be removed from the Register of Companies if they fail to respond to this notice.
The public has been invited to raise any objections by submitting grievances before the deadline. According to the notice, the closure is in accordance with Section 897(3) of the Companies Act, which allows the Registrar to strike off companies from the register if they have ceased operations or failed to carry on business for a specified period.
The notice urges any individuals with objections to submit their concerns within three months. Among the companies listed for closure are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), digital laboratories, pharmacies, water suppliers, and loan resettlement companies.
Several real estate firms involved in buying, selling, and renting properties are also included. Other businesses on the list include public service transportation companies and car dealers.
The closure comes after similar actions were taken recently, with 98 companies shut down the previous week and 116 companies dissolved two weeks ago. In the latter notice, another 115 companies were slated for dissolution over the next three months.
The reasons for deregistration are not specified in the notice, but some potential factors could include failure to submit required reports, court-ordered dissolutions, or companies ceasing their operations.
A company’s name or business type cannot be altered before applying to be struck off the register. This mass closure highlights the government’s efforts to regulate businesses that no longer operate or fail to meet statutory obligations. As more companies face uncertainty, it raises questions about the challenges facing businesses in Kenya, particularly those in the SME sector.
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