Our Experience
Representative matters drawn from our work across East Africa and beyond. Matters are anonymised in line with client confidentiality obligations. Our lawyers bring proven transactional, advisory and litigation capability across every major practice area.
Cross-Border Acquisition of Kenyan FMCG Distributor
Advised a Pan-African private equity fund on the acquisition of a majority stake in a leading Kenyan fast-moving consumer goods distributor. Scope included due diligence, SPA negotiation, regulatory approvals from the Competition Authority of Kenya, and post-completion restructuring.
Joint Venture Structuring for Technology Platform
Advised a European technology company on establishing a joint venture with a Kenyan telecoms group to launch a fintech payments platform. Structured the JV agreement, shareholders agreement, IP licensing arrangements, and regulatory compliance framework under the CBK payment service provider licensing regime.
Group Reorganisation — Multi-Jurisdictional Conglomerate
Acted for a family-owned conglomerate operating across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on a group reorganisation involving the incorporation of a holding company structure, intercompany agreements, minority buyouts, and alignment with KRA transfer pricing requirements.
Franchise Agreement for International Restaurant Chain
Advised an international QSR brand on its Kenya market-entry franchise arrangements, including master franchise agreement drafting, sub-franchise template documentation, review of lease terms across five Nairobi locations, and advice on food safety and county licensing compliance.
Market Entry Advisory — NGO Registration & Compliance
Advised a US-based non-governmental organisation on establishing operations in Kenya, including registration under the NGO Co-ordination Act, board governance documentation, employment contract localisation, and county-level operating licences across three counties.
Syndicated Project Finance Facility — Commercial Development
Advised the borrower on a KES 3.5 billion syndicated facility provided by three Kenyan commercial banks to finance a mixed-use commercial development in Nairobi CBD. Work included security documentation, intercreditor arrangements, and registration of charges with the Companies Registry.
Digital Credit Platform — Regulatory & Documentation Advisory
Advised a mobile-first digital lender on its regulatory framework, CBK licensing obligations, template loan agreement suite, data privacy compliance under the Data Protection Act 2019, and consumer protection obligations under the CBK Digital Credit Providers Regulations.
Asset Finance Portfolio Acquisition by Regional Bank
Acted for a regional commercial bank acquiring a distressed asset finance portfolio from a microfinance institution. Work included due diligence on 400+ loan files, advice on transfer mechanics under the Banking Act, regulatory notifications, and novation of security interests.
Trade Finance Documentation — Export-Import Business
Advised a mid-sized commodity trader on the legal framework for a revolving trade finance facility, including letters of credit documentation, pledge agreements over inventory, and advice on the legal treatment of warehouse receipts as collateral under Kenyan law.
Commercial Arbitration — Construction Contract Dispute
Represented a Kenyan property developer in a NCIA arbitration arising from a disputed construction contract. Successfully defended a KES 120 million counterclaim and secured an award on delay damages against the contractor. Matter involved quantum of loss, expert evidence, and enforcement proceedings.
Judicial Review of Regulatory Decision — Communications Sector
Acted for a licensed communications service provider in judicial review proceedings challenging a CA enforcement notice and proposed licence revocation. Obtained conservatory orders and secured a settlement resulting in regulatory compliance without licence sanction.
Shareholder Dispute — Structured Mediation
Facilitated a structured mediation process for shareholders in a Nairobi-based hospitality group following a deadlock in governance. Achieved a negotiated exit for the minority shareholder including a fair value mechanism, non-compete arrangements, and orderly management handover.
High Court — Contract Enforcement & Injunctive Relief
Acted for a Kenyan logistics company in High Court proceedings to enforce an exclusive distribution agreement against a supplier that had purported to terminate without notice. Secured an ex parte injunction and a final judgment upholding the contract.
Workforce Restructuring — Manufacturing Company
Advised a multinational manufacturing company on a restructuring exercise involving the redundancy of 150 employees across three production facilities. Managed trade union negotiations, drafted compliant redundancy notices, and represented the employer before the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
Senior Executive Dispute — Wrongful Termination Claim
Defended an international NGO in an ELRC claim brought by a former Country Director alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, and unpaid terminal benefits. Successfully negotiated a confidential settlement following mediation, avoiding protracted litigation.
Employment Compliance Audit — Foreign Employer
Conducted a comprehensive employment law compliance audit for a US-headquartered technology company with a Kenya-based remote workforce. Delivered a gap analysis and updated employment contract templates addressing statutory requirements, NSSF, NHIF obligations, and work permit conditions.
Large-Scale Residential Development — Title Acquisition
Acted for a developer on the acquisition of 50 acres in Kiambu County for a mixed-income residential development. Work included land due diligence, title subdivision, NLC engagement on historical ownership queries, and off-plan sale agreements for 300 units.
Grade A Office Lease Negotiation
Advised a multinational corporation on the negotiation of a long-term lease for 8,000 sqm of Grade A office space in Upper Hill, Nairobi. Negotiated favourable rent-free periods, fit-out contributions, break clauses, and service charge caps, achieving significant savings against the landlord initial position.
Portfolio Financing — Mortgage Security Package
Advised a borrower on providing four commercial properties as security for a KES 800 million term facility. Work included title verification, legal opinions, charge registration, negotiation of bank security documentation, and release of existing encumbrances.
Solar PV Project — Regulatory & Land Clearances
Advised the project sponsor of a 20MW ground-mounted solar PV project on EPRA licensing, NEMA environmental impact assessment, land lease negotiations with community landowners, and EPC contract review on all Kenya-side legal workstreams.
Mining Licence Application & Community Agreements
Advised a junior mining company on its large-scale mining licence application for a gold exploration project in western Kenya. Work included licence application preparation, liaison with the Mining CS, community benefit-sharing agreement drafting, and advice on artisanal mining displacement issues.
Pan-African Trademark Portfolio Management
Advising a pan-African consumer goods brand on the registration, maintenance and enforcement of its trademark portfolio across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. Work includes prosecution of applications, opposition proceedings, customs recordal, and enforcement against counterfeiters.
Technology IP Assignment & Licensing on SaaS Acquisition
Advised the acquirer of a Kenyan SaaS company on IP due diligence, ownership chain verification for all core software assets, assignment of proprietary code and domain names, and post-completion IP licensing for continued use by the founder.
Bulk Work Permit Applications — Infrastructure Contractor
Managed work permit applications for 35 foreign nationals employed by an infrastructure contractor on a Kenyan road construction project. Coordinated with the National Construction Authority and Department of Immigration to secure approvals within project mobilisation deadlines.
Investor Residence Permit — High Net Worth Individual
Advised a foreign national investor on obtaining an investor certificate, residence permit and alien registration in connection with establishing a hospitality business in Kenya, including structuring investment through a locally incorporated company and IPC approvals.
Cross-Border Estate Administration — Multi-Jurisdiction Assets
Advised the family of a deceased entrepreneur on the administration of an estate comprising assets in Kenya, the United Kingdom and Dubai. Work included grants of letters of administration, transfer of Kenyan real estate to beneficiaries, and advice on inheritance tax exposure.
Business Succession Planning for Family Enterprise
Advised the founders of a second-generation family business on a succession plan involving the creation of a family trust, updated articles, a family charter, and shareholder agreements designed to preserve management continuity across the intergenerational transfer of a significant equity holding.
Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Award — Kenyan Debtor
Acted for a European trade creditor in enforcing an ICC arbitral award against a Kenyan import-export company. Filed recognition proceedings before the High Court and executed against identified assets including a charged commercial property and receivables.
Statutory Management Advisory — Distressed Microfinance Bank
Advised a CBK-appointed statutory manager of a microfinance bank on creditor claims management, disposal of non-performing loan assets, staff retention and pension liabilities, and court-supervised insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency Act 2015.