What a notice is — and when your organisation should issue one
A notice is an official announcement issued to inform people of something — a closure, an event, a change, a meeting, or a requirement. Unlike a memo (internal, to named recipients), a notice is typically posted or circulated more widely, and it speaks with the authority of the organisation.
Kenyan businesses and organisations issue notices constantly: an office closure for a public holiday, a notice of an annual general meeting, a change in fees or hours, a safety or compliance announcement. Some notices are also legally significant — a notice of a general meeting, for example, must usually give the period stated in the company’s articles or the Companies Act, 2015.
A good notice is short, clear and unambiguous: a title that states the subject, the announcement itself, who it affects and from when, the date, and who issued it. It is signed off “by order of” the organisation or a named officer, which is what gives it authority.
What a proper notice includes
- ◆A clear title stating the subject
- ◆The announcement — what is happening, and from when
- ◆Who it affects
- ◆The date it is issued
- ◆A sign-off “by order of” the organisation, or a named officer
- ◆The organisation’s letterhead
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕A title that doesn’t say what the notice is about
- ✕Leaving out the effective date or who is affected
- ✕No sign-off, so it doesn’t read as official
- ✕Using a notice for a private message that should have been a letter
Questions
What’s the difference between a notice and a memo?
A memo is internal and addressed via a To/From header; a notice is a broader announcement, often posted publicly or circulated widely, issued with the authority of the organisation. Use a notice to announce; a memo to instruct a specific audience.
How much notice must I give for a company AGM in Kenya?
The notice period for a general meeting is set by the Companies Act, 2015 and your company’s articles — commonly 21 days for an AGM unless a shorter period is agreed as the Act allows. Check your articles and the Act for the specific meeting.
Who signs a notice?
Usually a named officer (Managing Director, Company Secretary, Chairperson), or it is issued “by order of the Board”. The sign-off is what gives the notice its authority.
Where should a notice be displayed?
Wherever the affected people will see it — a staff notice board, the entrance, a WhatsApp group, or by email. For legally-required notices (like an AGM), follow the method your articles or the Act specify.
This tool is free to write and preview, with an editable draft on your letterhead. Downloading a clean PDF without the small watermark is KES 50 in Kenya (a one-off) and free elsewhere. It is a template, not legal advice; for anything with legal weight, have it reviewed before you rely on it.