The Legal 500

Kenya

Banking, finance and capital markets

Banking, finance and capital markets - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates operates a substantial team with a high profile in project, acquisition and corporate financings, along with other segments such as sovereign bonds. The firm has achieved a greater flow of engagements from DFIs and Chinese lenders. It advised the banks on the Kenyan government's KES200bn bond issuance on the London Stock Exchange. Oliver Fowler brings unrivalled senior skill and technical expertise to the team, while Binti Shah adds exceptional domestic and cross-border experience. Ruth Kirunga is another key team member.

Leading individuals

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Commercial, corporate and M&A

Commercial, corporate and M&A - ranked: tier 2

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates fields a large team that has a sizeable market share of domestic and cross-border transactions, primarily involving East Africa. The firm has a strong record in financial services, telecoms, downstream oil and gas, and secondary deals in the energy sector. It has worked on a series of listed-company deals, involving corporate expansions into wider East Africa. It advised REA Vipingo Plantations on its takeover by REA Trading and the sale of Vipingo Estate to Centum. Oliver Fowler 'is the go to guy in the market', 'knows his stuff and is easy to deal with'. Amar Grewal-Thethy is emerging as one of the top names in the market, especially for listed company deals. Mahesh Acharya is also a rising star.

Leading individuals

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Dispute resolution

Dispute resolution - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates is a market leader across the board and is especially noted for procurement, tax and employment disputes, and for arbitration. The large team features a number of senior names including Fred Ojiambo, Peter Gachuhi, Nazima Malik, James Muthui, Cosima Wetende, Esther Kinyenje and Peter Njeru. The team acted for Kenya Commercial Bank Pension Fund in a precedent-setting case involving a claim that the fund's computation was erroneous and grossly undervalued the retirement benefits.

Leading individuals

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Employment

Employment - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates is a leader in both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team has had pivotal roles in a series of landmark judgments, creating jurisprudence for issues such as redundancy exercises. The firm is at the forefront of industrial relations and collective bargaining arrangements; it defended Amadeus East Africa against a headline employee claim alleging breach of constitutional and other rights. The department leverages 'good use of litigation experience to inform legal opinions', is 'aligned with client's needs', 'very professional' and 'takes time to understand the timelines on each assignment and the depth of work required'. Cosima Wetende is a leader in employment litigation and Esther Kinyenje is noted for trade union and industrial relations disputes. Sam Wainaina 'has extensive experience' in employment and pensions issues.

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Privatisation and projects

Privatisation and projects - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates has earned accolades for its work in renewable energy and road infrastructure projects. It has an especially strong record for sponsors, including Chinese developers, and is building its presence in the PPP environment. It advised Power China International Group on the Lot 32 toll road project, involving the unique transfer of the project from the Kenya Rural Roads Authority to the Kenya National Highways Authority. Seasoned professional Sam Wainaina and Kenneth Kamaitha have significant PPA and transaction document expertise, while Nigel Shaw is recommended for renewable energy projects.

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Real estate and construction

Real estate and construction - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates has remained active in renewable energy project-related real estate matters. Redevelopments and significant land sales remain core to the practice. The firm advised AAR Health Care and International Fund for Healthcare in Africa on the purchase of property for the construction of a hospital. Rachel Mbai is 'professional' and 'has years of experience', while Nigel Shaw is another senior name in this segment.

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