The Legal 500

Kenya

Banking and finance and capital markets

Banking and finance and capital markets - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates has a large and multi-skilled team that covers most finance products. It is ‘above all other firms in Kenya in terms of quality’, according to one client that emphasises its ‘excellent service’, while another notes its expertise with Asian clients and its ‘commercially oriented advice’. The team advised Victoria Commercial Bank on a series of capital raising exercises including a rights issue, private placement, employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) issue and a bonus issue. Oliver Fowler and Binti Shah are ‘real stars’ who ‘understand the commercial aspects’, ‘offer solutions’ and ‘know exactly what middle ground would work for both sides of the table’. Ruth Kirunga is an ‘up and coming star’, ‘diligent’ and ‘hardworking’. Mahesh Acharya is recommended for capital markets deals.

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’ ‘prompt’ and ‘responsive’ team has ‘excellent knowledge of the subject matter’, deep connections to local corporates and is consistently expanding its international referral base. The group advised Pioneer Foods (South Africa) on its $14m acquisition of a 49% stake in Weetabix East Africa. Senior statesman Oliver Fowler is ‘outstanding’, with an ‘encyclopedic knowledge of Kenyan law and good judgement’, and Mahesh Acharya has ‘extremely well-rounded knowledge of the legal environment’. Amar Grewal-Thethy, Sam Wainaina and Nigel Shaw are also highly reputed.

Leading individuals

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Dispute resolution

Dispute resolution - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Members of Kaplan & Stratton Advocates’ large dispute resolution team ‘all specialize in particular areas and bring professionalism to the firm’ giving it a ‘top position’ in the market. Specialists include tax disputes leader Nazima Malik, employment and competition expert Esther Kinyenje, and public procurement authority Peter Gachuhi. Fred Ojiambo, James Muthui, Cosima Wetende and Peter Njeru are also highly regarded. The firm recently brought a judicial review application on behalf of British American Tobacco Kenya.

Leading individuals

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Employment

Employment - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates has appeared in many of the largest employment cases of recent years. The team provides ‘fast turnaround times’, has ‘specialists in an array of operational areas’ and, in recent highlight work, successfully defended Bayer East Africa against an allegation of unlawful redundancy and discrimination. Cosima Wetende has an ‘excellent understanding of labour law, labour relations and negotiations’ and Esther Kinyenje is also highly regarded. Sam Wainaina is recommended for employment and pensions matters.

Leading individuals

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Projects and energy

Projects and energy - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates is a strong player in renewable energy, including solar and geothermal projects, advising a number of major international sponsors. The firm represented Gogar 1 Solar Park in the development of a 50MW solar energy project, one of the first in Kenya. In the infrastructure space, the firm advised Power China International Group, in its role as project sponsor, on the development of the Illasit-Njukiri-Taveta toll road project. Team head Kenneth Kamaitha is noted for the structuring of renewable energy project documents and is supported by experienced figures Sam Wainaina and Nigel Shaw.

Leading individuals

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Real estate and construction

Real estate and construction - ranked: tier 1

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates has an established real estate practice, involving acquisitions and disposals, leases, developments and real estate matters linked to energy and infrastructure projects. The team advised East African Breweries on the sale of 15 acres of land to Actis Africa as part of Actis’ strategy to expand its Garden City project. The outstanding Rachel Mbai and Nigel Shaw lead a ‘first-class’, ‘efficient’ and ‘practical’ department.

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