How to Register an Alumni Association in Kenya (2026)

In Kenya, most alumni associations register as societies with the Registrar of Societies, a department of the Office of the Attorney General. Under the Societies Act, any association of ten or more people is a society, and an unregistered society is unlawful. Registration also gives your association the certificate that banks and Safaricom ask for before they open an account or a paybill in its name.

With the Class of 2026 leaving school on 20 November, now is a good time to get the paperwork done. Here is the process, step by step, with the official fees.

Before you apply

Hold a founding meeting of at least ten members. Agree the name, elect a chair, secretary and treasurer, adopt the constitution, and keep minutes of the meeting.
Write the constitution. It must meet the Societies Act: the Registrar’s Form A lists the matters it must cover, including the name and objects, who can join and the fees, the officials and how they are elected, meetings and quorum, how money is held and spent, and how the association would be wound up.
Apply within 28 days. The Act gives a new society 28 days from its formation to apply for registration.

Register on eCitizen

Open the Registrar of Societies portal at societies.ecitizen.go.ke and sign in with an eCitizen account. “Alumni” is one of the society types it lists.
Reserve the name. You can submit up to three options. The name search costs KSh 250.
Apply for registration. Complete Form A and Form B, signed by the chair, secretary and treasurer, and upload the constitution. Registration costs KSh 5,000. The portal shows the details and documents it needs as you go.
Receive the certificate. Once the application is approved, the Registrar issues a certificate of registration.

After registration

File the annual return and accounts every year, by 31 March for the previous calendar year. The fee depends on your size: KSh 500 for up to 25 members, KSh 700 for 26 to 100, KSh 1,000 for 101 to 1,000, and KSh 2,000 for more than 1,000. Not filing is an offence under the Act.
Report new officials within 14 days of any change. The fee is KSh 1,000.
Open a bank account. Banks ask for the certificate, the constitution, the minutes that appoint the signatories, and the signatories’ IDs. Postbank’s group account is one example.
Get an M-Pesa paybill. Safaricom asks registered groups for a signed application form, a beneficial-ownership (UBO) declaration, a certified copy of the certificate, a signed M-PESA authorisation form, the IDs of the officials and signatories, the organisation’s KRA PIN and bank details. Apply online through the M-PESA for Business portal (m-pesaforbusiness.co.ke).

Other ways to register, and when they fit

Company limited by guarantee (Business Registration Service): for a non-profit that needs full legal personality, such as a foundation that will own property or employ staff.
Community-based organisation (Social Development office in your sub-county): for local groups. The State Department for Social Protection lists a KSh 5,000 fee and yearly renewal, but the rules for community groups may change after a September 2026 High Court ruling, so confirm with the office.
Public benefit organisation (under the Public Benefit Organizations Act, in force since 14 May 2024): for organisations that serve the public rather than their own members.

Most alumni associations exist to serve their own members, and the Registrar’s eCitizen portal lists “Alumni” as a society type.

This guide explains the process. It is not legal advice, and fees can change: check the portal before you pay.

Run the association once it is registered

Alumnipad keeps your member register, officials and dues in one place, gives the association its own member site and sign-up page, and sends notices of meetings by email, SMS and WhatsApp. Plans start free for up to 50 members, and SMS and WhatsApp come with the Professional plan and above; see what each plan includes.

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