The Registrar of Companies has announced plans to strike off more than 100 companies from its register, a move that could trigger widespread job losses in the country.
In a gazette notice published on Friday, February 27, the Registrar of Companies, Damaris Lukwo, said that 117 firms would be removed from its register beginning in June this year.
Lukwo revealed that the companies earmarked for closure would soon cease operations in the country unless they explain, within three months, why they should remain registered.
“Pursuant to the Companies Act, the Registrar of Companies gives notice that the names of the companies specified hereunder shall be struck off from the register of companies,” read part of the notice.
“The companies shall be struck off the registry at the expiry of three months from the date of publication of this notice, and invites any person to show cause why the companies should not be struck off from the registry,” it added.
The list of companies slated for deregistration spans a broad range of industries, including logistics, construction, hospitality, consultancy, trading, and information technology.
Among those also named are firms involved in engineering services, mining consultancy, food and beverage operations, transport services, property development, and general trading.
Some of the companies had established operations in major towns across the country, raising concerns about the long-term employment impact on those regions.
The latest announcement comes against the backdrop of a heightened crackdown on non-compliant companies to ensure conformity with the Kenyan laws.
As per the Constitution, a company might be struck off the registry if it fails to file annual returns, appears partially closed, or is no longer doing business.
However, in some instances, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) might apply to the Registrar of Companies to have the dissolution of a company suspended due to an active tax dispute.
Meanwhile, for employees and other stakeholders of the companies which have been listed, the announcement ushers in a period of uncertainty as the three-month notice window begins.