My experience registering a business in Kenya

I have never registered a business in Africa thus I don't have any African country to compare with; however, I'll share a bit of the experience I had while registering in the US. My husband and I took one day only, we registered downtown Columbus, and within three days, we received all the papers we needed via the mail. That's how easy it is to do it in Ohio. I'm not trying to compare Kenya to the US, and just sharing my experience. Here is my experience in Kenya. Once a Kenyan business lady asked me to pay her so that she register my business in her name. She warned me that the process is long and frustrating especially that I'm a foreigner they might give me a hard time. I said no, because I won't have all the rights to my business. Then the day came when I decided to register my business in Kenya. First I asked one of the taxi driver if he knew the place I needed to go to register the business. He told me that his friend registered one; thus he was going to call him for me. Imediatly, he called him, and told him that I needed to provide three names for name search, and pay Ksh100 for each name search, and then he warned me that it was not an easy process. The taxi driver drove me to the place called Sherea house, and I was to call him once I was done. When I entered inside, I was just confused, didn't know were to go; the place was scattered with people in lines, some pushing through, and some just standing like they were trying to decide what to do next. The interesting things was that most of the people in lines were men in suits, and ties, but the majority of the people behind the windows were ladies dressed in casuals. There was no one to direct me. On the windows where the people were heading to there were no signs like registrations etc, but numbers. As I stood there wondering what to do next, a middle age man smiled at me, and asked me if I needed help. Immediately I smiled at him and he directed me to the window for the name search. I was to write with my hand or type the business names, and the business info. Luckily I carried a booklet and a pen; thus I wrote the info with a pen. The line for the name search was the quickest. I payed Ksh300 and in exchange I gave my name search paper with the three potential business names. The lady behind the window told me to return in three days. Even though she didn't smile, I left smiling, thinking that this was not as difficult as the people told me. On my way out, I saw an information desk, which was surrounded by people; no wonder I didn't see it when I entered. After three days, I returned, and my papers were there waiting for me. Unfortunately, they denied my first choice. Even though they approved the second choice, I decided to investigate about who registered my name. I was curious to know who registered my unique name. I called my husband to tell him that someone registered my business name. He told me to find out who registered it. I went to the information desk, and asked if there was a way to find out who registered the name. They told me to go to the same window I registered for the name search, and pay Ksh200, and they should be able to provide me with the copy of the owner's profile. I went back and paid the Kh200, and requested for the profile. After she handed me the receipt, she told me to ask the security to guide me to a gentlen inside the office. The security refused, and sent me back to the same lady at the window. The lady at the window sent me back to the security. I went to the info desk, and they told me to go see someone else, I went inside, and this guy checked in the system and told me that no one has registered that name. Furthermore he told me that they might have refused to register my name for many other reasons, at this point I was fruastrated. I wish they have stated on the document that my name was refused for abc and d, then I wouldn't have spend my Ksh200. I went back to the lady at the window asking for explanation, and she sent me back to the same security guy, the security guy sent me back to the window, this time, I was tired, and frustrated, I went to the window and told the lady that she needed to stop making me running around for nothing. I demanded my Ksh200 back, which she refused to pay back. I was really loud when I asked for my money, but I didn't care. I went back to beg the guy who told me that my name was still available to help me call the person who can help me. He refused, when I came out, there was a new security standing next to the security that I have spoke to. I went to the new security who was a lady, greeted her her with the most pleasing voice, and asked her to call the gentlemen the lady at the window asked me to go to. She was nice, she took my papers, and handed them to the gentlemen inside. Within 10 minutes, the guy went at the widow were the lady who registered the name search was, and she was told to tell me what the issue was. I went there, and she told me that they don't deal with children. I asked her why they didn't state that on the paper, and then asked her to tell me about the place that deals with children. She sent me to another building that was in the same area. When I went there, they told me that they don't register business, only books. Thus, I was to go back to the same building and maybe change my business name, and then register it. This time I decided to go home, and returned the next day. When I returned, I decided to search for three different names. After three days I returned, and the same lady didn't even search for my papers, she just told me to come back the next day. I didn't argue with her, I just decided to return after 5 days. When I returned, they have approved my new name, and I went to the next window were I was told to return after 10 days. After 10 days I returned, and I was told to return after 5 days. I returned after a week and I was told to return again. I decided to wait for two more weeks, and when I returned I was given my business certificate. I'm curious to know how the process work in Namibia. Mem this was an experience. This should not be hard at all. I have heard that some people do it within two days because they pay someone inside. This was really an experience. But it's doable.