Anjarwalla & Khanna has an excellent reputation for real estate and construction and is widely recognised for its strength in commercial and residential development work. Recent instructions for the team include advising on land sales and acquisitions, leasing, funding arrangements, tax and regulatory matters. Real estate specialist Amyn Mussa jointly heads up the department alongside Adnan Khan and Mona Doshi. Akash Devani has a solid track record in assisting with tax-efficient structures and commercial property agreements. Newly promoted partner Agnes Nicole Gichuhi and senior associate Vivian Kerage are also noted.
Real estate and construction in Kenya
Anjarwalla & Khanna
Practice head(s):
Amyn Mussa; Mona Doshi; Adnan Khan
Other key lawyers:
Akash Devani; Agnes Nicole Gichuhi; Vivian Kerage; Jessica Maina
Testimonials
‘The team is professional and has a sound understanding of the law and its application. They are excellent legal advisers and efficient in delivering tasks assigned to them.’
‘Amyn Mussa is professional, available and offers useful legal advice, meeting the client’s needs and requirements.’
‘Agnes Nicole Gichuhi is keen to understand the client’s legal needs. She is professional, has good time management skills and delivers. She is level-headed, accommodates the client’s requirements with ease and is readily available. She is a proven leader in her own right.’
Key clients
EH Venture Capital Rwanda
Orbit Chemicals Industries and Orbit Products Africa
AVIC
Paramount Chief Estate (Edenville)
AMS Properties
Mi Vida Thika Road Limited
Impact North (KE)
Soma Properties Limited (Sarit Centre)
Richard Grenville Russell Evans
Westlands Triangle Properties
Riverbank Apartments – Two Rivers
Work highlights
- Assisting EH Venture Capital Rwanda with the ongoing development of a financial centre in Kigali Rwanda.
- Advising the Orbit group of companies on a prominent sale and leaseback transaction, involving the sale of property to real estate company Grit Real Estate Income Group.
- Provides ongoing advice to AVIC International Real Estate Kenya, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, a Chinese state-owned aerospace and defence company, on its development of a mixed-use development in Kenya.
Bowmans
Cornelius Kigera heads up the team at Bowmans, which has an excellent reputation for advising on prominent real estate and construction projects in Kenya, and also counts conservation work as a key area of instruction. Alex Njage is recognised for his expertise in handling complex real estate projects. Other key practitioners include conservation law specialist Philip Coulson; Paras Shah, who regularly handles commercial and residential development projects; and construction law expert Simon Kiriba.
Practice head(s):
Cornelius Kigera
Other key lawyers:
Alex Njage; Philip Coulson; Paras Shah; Simon Kiriba; Sarah Kagwe; Njeri Maina
Key clients
Kisima Real Estate Limited
Genesis Park Limited and Genesis Global PVT Limited
Intex Construction Limited
Dew Valley Limited
Black Gold Ventures Limited
Tatu City Limited and Tatu City Phase 2 SEZ Limited
Siana Properties Limited
Kisima Farm Limited
Game Ranching Limited
Vale Royal Trust
Work highlights
- Advising Genesis Global PVT Limited and Genesis Park Limited on negotiating a construction contract with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited.
- Advised Kisima Farm Limited on the land law aspects of the reorganisation of its business, including leasing issues.
Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews
The team at Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews
has a solid track record in advising on large-scale conveyancing transactions and industrial, residential and commercial real estate development projects. Recent instructions include handling large land sales and acquisitions and assisting with prominent mixed-use developments. The client base includes investors, high-net-worth individuals and governmental entities. Managing partner Adil Khawaja is an established practitioner in the real estate space. Senior partner Richard Omwela and the 'knowledgeable' Lorna Mainnah co-head the team. Sigee Koech is a key contact for real estate finance.
Practice head(s):
Richard Omwela; Lorna Mainnah
Other key lawyers:
Adil Khawaja; Sigee Koech; Nancy Gitau; Deborah Ontiri
Testimonials
‘The team is knowledgeable but also provides practical advice and solutions.’
‘Lorna Mainnah is very knowledgeable, pragmatic and works for the best interest of her clients.’
‘Deborah Ontiri is a very hands-on lawyer which is essential in real estate. Very well networked.’
Key clients
West Park Properties Limited
Shella Resort Kenya Limited
Sergio Giannobile and Damien Wynne
Sunworld Safaris Limited
Africa Logistics Properties
Work highlights
- Advised Africa Logistics Properties on an acquisition of land for the development of a 17,000sq metre build-to-suit warehouse facility.
Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates
Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates excels in handling energy-related real estate transactions. Led by real estate expert Anne Kinyanjui, the team handles large-scale acquisitions, the preparation of licenses, leases and restructurings. The client base includes real estate developers and corporates. Norah Mutuku is sought after for her expertise in real estate finance matters. Amrit Soar is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Anne Kinyanjui
Other key lawyers:
Norah Mutuku; Amrit Soar; Bonface Abuya; Grace Gitau
Testimonials
‘The team is able to meet requests of clients from abroad even if the requests might not correspond with the local standard approach. They can meet short deadlines.’
Key clients
Unilever Tea Kenya Limited
Kipeto Energy Limited
Centum Real Estate Limited
Benaa Limited
Munga Holdings Ltd
Karume Holdings
Hotel Utu Limited
Tuffsteel Limited
The Salesians of Don Bosco Registered Trustees Kenya
Art Caffe, Coffee & Bakery Limited
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
Atlas Kenya Limited
Nutreco International B.V
Work highlights
- Advising Kipeto Energy Plc on land rights matters regarding a 100MW wind power project in Esilanke.
- Acting for Karume Holdings Limited in the sale of 60 parcels of land in Kiambu.
- Assisted Tuffsteel Limited with the acquisition of property along Mombasa Road, on which the client has constructed a mixed-use development.
Kaplan & Stratton Advocates
Kaplan & Stratton Advocates is well known for advising overseas and institutional investors on complex real estate matters. The team has been kept busy handling redevelopment matters, conservation issues, and acquisitions and disposals of land. Department head Rachel Mbai is highly regarded for her expertise in the space. Nyakio Manga and Caroline Etyang are also noted lawyers.
Practice head(s):
Rachel Mbai
Other key lawyers:
Nyakio Manga; Caroline Etyang
Key clients
Bawan Limited
Nodor Kenya EPZ Limited
Driftwood Beachclub Limited
E3 School Support Inc
Karen Blixen Coffee Garden Limited
Kenya Registered Trustees
Oryx Energies Kenya Limited
International Fund For Animal Welfare Limited (IFAW)
CMS Daly Inamdar Advocates
The team at CMS Daly Inamdar Advocates regularly advises a client base of construction, education and insurance sector companies on purchases and sales of land. Harpreet Ubhi, who specialises in real estate and property law, heads up the practice, in which Stella Situma and senior partner Hamish Keith are key names to note.
Practice head(s):
Harpreet Ubhi
Other key lawyers:
Hamish Keith; Stella Situma
ENSafrica
ENSafrica's team primarily focuses on handling acquisition mandates and financing deals for a client base of energy companies, financial institutions and funds. Managing partner Nigel Shaw heads up the practice, and focuses on property management, acquisitions, disposals and developments. Banking, project and infrastructure finance expert Binti Shah is a key contact.
Practice head(s):
Nigel Shaw
Other key lawyers:
Binti Shah
MMAN Advocates
Judy Kabubu heads up the real estate practice at MMAN Advocates; recent instructions for the team include advising on construction contractual matters and the structuring of large development projects. Kabubu brings expertise in property law, and is well known for handling conveyancing mandates. Carole Ayugi and Waringa Njonjo are key practitioners to note.
Practice head(s):
Judy Kabubu
Other key lawyers:
Carole Ayugi; Waringa Njonjo
Testimonials
‘It has been evident that the team is well versed with contractual laws in the country. They were readily available whenever we required them.’
‘Carole Ayugi is knowledgeable, articulate, passionate, responsive, a good listener, jovial and organized. She was able to sit in on our long negotiation meetings with a keen eye on very word used in the contract.’
Key clients
Safaricom Staff Pension Scheme
Deerpark Limited
G4S Kenya Limited
Meru Green Wood Limited
Flamingo Tower Limited
Nyati SACCO
Work highlights
- Advising Safaricom Staff Pension Scheme on its large-scale real estate development project, valued at over KShs 4 billion.
- Advising real estate company Deerpark Limited on the development of the Deerpark Estate property, valued at over KShs 1 billion.
- Advising Flamingo Tower Limited on sale and lease agreements concerning its office complex in Upperhill, Nairobi.
MMC ASAFO
MMC ASAFO has a longstanding presence in the real estate market. The firm stands out for its niche expertise in advising on the structuring of joint ventures concerning real estate development and investment matters. The team is well versed in assisting private clients and land developers with redevelopments, sale and leases of land, and subdivisions of land. The practice is jointly led by managing partner Esther Njiru-Omulele, real estate department head Jessica Mwenje Mayavi, and Isaiah Mungai Kamau.
Practice head(s):
Esther Njiru Omulele; Jessica Mwenje Mayavi; Isaiah Mungai Kamau
Testimonials
‘MMC Asafo is very unique. The team has guided us through investment plans and ideas and safeguarded our assets.’
‘The team offers personalised advice, and is available and committed. It is satisfying to work with this team.’
Key clients
KPMG Kenya
Urban Housing and Renewal Development LLP
Tatu City Limited
Oaklands Properties Kenya Limited
Tilisi Developments PLC
New Makongeni Development LLP
Women of Kiambu Association
National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
Housing Finance Development Investment Limited (HFDI)
Work highlights
- Representing KPMG Kenya as part of a consortium assisting the State Department of Transport and the Kenya Railways Corporation with a transaction concerning the redevelopment of the Nairobi Central Railway Station.
- Advising Women of Kiambu Association as landowners on all aspects of a joint venture arrangement between the client and a developer in relation to a housing project.
- Advising Urban Renewal Housing Development LLP on all legal aspects of a transaction concerning an urban regeneration project.
Oraro & Company Advocates
Oraro & Company Advocates has an established track record in assisting real estate and investment companies with residential and commercial development projects, licensing matters, leases, joint ventures and transfers of land. Managing partner Pamella Ager leads the team, in which James Kituku is a name to note.
Practice head(s):
Pamella Ager
Other key lawyers:
James Kituku
Testimonials
‘The team offers professional and timely service.’
‘Pamella Ager is a professional and provides updates on the matter.’
Key clients
Tembuland Limited
Cytonn Investments Management PLC
Work highlights
- Acting for Cytonn Investments Management PLC on the purchase of a 5 acre property in Ruaka.
- Advising Tembuland Limited on letting a commercial space in its business park in Nairobi.
TripleOKlaw Advocates
At TripleOKlaw Advocates, the real estate team continues to advise on high-value residential, commercial and industrial development matters. The client roster includes companies from the banking, infrastructure and telecoms sectors; project finance work is also prominent in the group's workload. Practice head Tom Onyango has extensive expertise in cross-border real estate transactions, construction issues, and real estate finance matters.
Practice head(s):
Tom Onyango
Other key lawyers:
Daniel Muroki
Testimonials
‘Tom Onyango and Daniel Muroki are readily available. The team has a holistic approach, adapts well and has excellent knowledge of the changes occurring in this space. The firm communicates well, resolves issues in a business-friendly manner and has a solution driven mindset when handling complicated real estate deals. The real estate team collaborates well with the litigation team and there is good integration.’
‘Senior partner Tom Onyango is one of the best lawyers in the legal practice.’
‘Associate Daniel Muroki approaches matters well and we are happy to work with him. He is very hard working and is good at communication. His drafting of agreements and understanding of matters and clauses is very good.’
‘Tom Onyango is very supportive in providing legal and advisory services to clients, demonstrating excellence in security perfection.’
‘TripleOKlaw is a full-service legal firm.’
‘Tom Onyango is very knowledgeable in land laws & regulations, especially pertaining to land conversion and sectional properties.’
Key clients
Safaricom PLC
Mashujaa Cement PLC
Hayer Marquis Limited
Bay Tree Realty Limited
Bluebell Properties Limited
National Bank of Kenya Limited
Uhuru Heights Limited
National Bank of Kenya Limited
KCB Bank Kenya Ltd
Absa Bank Kenya Limited