Real Estate & Construction

Real estate and construction lawyers for developers, landowners, contractors, REITs and investors across commercial, residential and mixed-use projects in Nairobi, Mombasa and the Coast. We handle the full cycle — title due diligence, conveyancing, joint-venture and development agreements, construction contracts (FIDIC), development financing, and land and construction disputes before the Environment and Land Court.

Relevant expertise: Real Estate & Property; Banking & Finance; Corporate & Commercial; Projects & PPP; Dispute Resolution & ADR

How we help. We support developers, landowners, contractors, REIT sponsors, lenders and investors across the project lifecycle: title due diligence and assembly, conveyancing, joint-venture and development agreements, construction contracts on FIDIC and bespoke forms, development and acquisition financing, sectional-titles work, and the resolution of land and construction disputes in the Environment and Land Court. We act on residential, commercial, retail, industrial and mixed-use schemes in Nairobi, Mombasa and the Coast.

Why OLM for real estate and construction. Kenyan property deals live or die on clean title and bankable security. Our diligence is thorough, our conveyancing is prompt, and because our real estate and finance teams work in step, the acquisition and the funding close together rather than in sequence — keeping developments on programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What due diligence should I do before buying land in Kenya? A full title search at the relevant land registry, physical and survey verification, a search for caveats and encumbrances, confirmation of planning permissions and land-use restrictions, and environmental compliance checks. We conduct comprehensive due diligence before any money changes hands.

How are construction contracts structured in Kenya? Most significant construction projects in Kenya use FIDIC-based forms (Red, Yellow or Silver Book) or NEC contracts, adapted for Kenyan law. We draft, review and negotiate construction contracts, and advise on claims and disputes that arise during construction.

What is a REIT and how can I invest in one in Kenya? A Real Estate Investment Trust pools capital to invest in income-generating properties. Kenyan REITs are regulated by the CMA. We advise on REIT structuring, licensing and investor documentation.