Walker Kontos Advocates > Nairobi, Kenya > Firm Profile
Walker Kontos Advocates Offices
HAKIKA HOUSE, BISHOPS ROAD
PO BOX 60680 - 00200
NAIROBI
Kenya
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Walker Kontos Advocates > The Legal 500 Rankings
Kenya > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2
Acting for major commercial banks and development finance institutions both at home and abroad, Walker Kontos Advocates has gained a reputation for advising on the full range of legal, regulatory, and compliance issues in the banking and capital markets arena. Notable for its track record in project finance, syndications, and DFI investments, the team is also routinely engaged on initial public offerings, rights issues, and note and bond programs. Leadership is shared between syndicated financing adept Alexandra Kontos, project and corporate finance specialist Michael Kontos, finance transactions expert Peter Muhiu Mwangi, and banking all-rounder Deepen Shah.Practice head(s):
Alexandra Kontos; Michael Kontos; Peter Muhiu Mwangi; Deepen Shah
Other key lawyers:
Diana Situma; Martha Gitonga-Muturi
Testimonials
‘Very strong. Depth, excellent knowledge and highly conscientious. Good use of tech as well, and a good team.’
‘Michael Kontos is very experienced, very knowledgeable and well-versed in the legal aspects of a transaction.’
Key clients
International Finance Corporation
World Bank Group
United States International Development Finance Corporation
Société de Promotion et de Participation Coopération Economique (PROPARCO)
Standard Bank Group (Standard Bank of South Africa, Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited)
The Trade and Development Bank
Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
Bank of Africa Group
Absa Bank Kenya PLC
I&M Bank Limited
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC
FirstRand Bank Limited (acting through its Rand Merchant Band Division)
Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N. V. (FMO)
European Investment Bank
Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG)
Total Kenya Limited
Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company
Spelco Investments Limited
Prolific Properties Limited
Centum Investment Limited
Blackwood Hodge Kenya Limited
Astral Aviation Limited
Kestrel Capital East Africa Limited
Van Woustraat Limited
Fujax UK Limited
Britania Industries Limited
Carbon Neutral Royalty Limited
AutoXpress Limited
Napro Industries Limited
Saracota Enterprises Limited
Work highlights
- Advised I&M Bank Limited on the take-over of facilities previously created by Freight-in-Time Limited in favour of Norfund.
- Acted as Kenyan counsel to Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited and the Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, the project lenders, in respect of loan facilities to be provided to Skar Lot 32 Development Corporation, a special purpose vehicle incorporated by each of Sinohydro (Singapore) PTE. Limited in connection with Lot 32 of Phase 1A of the Kenya Roads Programme.
- Advised on the financing of Homescope Properties Limited by KCB Bank Kenya Limited, preparing Islamic finance security documentation for 23 properties of the developer which secured the financing transaction.
Kenya > Privatisation and projects Tier 2
Project finance forms a core pillar of work for Walker Kontos Advocates‘ practice, which has a reputation for advising national and international lenders and sponsors on transactions related to numerous high-profile developments in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Michael Kontos is the inveterate lender counsel for energy project financing, and leads the team alongside PPP, regulatory, and administrative experts Peter Mwangi and Deepen Shah.Practice head(s):
Michael Kontos; Peter Mwangi; Deepen Shah
Other key lawyers:
Diana Situma; Wassim Mohamedali
Testimonials
‘An all round strong team of advocates. This is an area in which they excel.’
‘Deepen Shah has been very reactive and practical.’
Key clients
International Finance Corporation
World Bank Group
United States International Development Finance Corporation
Société de Promotion et de Participation Coopération Economique (PROPARCO)
Standard Bank Group (Standard Bank of South Africa, Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited)
The Trade and Development Bank
Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
Bank of Africa Group
Absa Bank Kenya Plc
I&M Bank Limited
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC
FirstRand Bank Limited (acting through its Rand Merchant Band Division)
Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N. V. (FMO)
European Investment Bank
Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG)
Total Kenya Limited
Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company
Spelco Investments Limited
Prolific Properties Limited
Centum Investment Limited
Blackwood Hodge Kenya Limited
Astral Aviation Limited
Kestrel Capital East Africa Limited
Van Woustraat Limited
Fujax UK Limited
Britania Industries Limited
Carbon Neutral Royalty Limited
AutoXpress Limited
Napro Industries Limited
Saracota Enterprises Limited
Work highlights
- Acted as Kenyan counsel to Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, the project lenders, in respect of loan facilities to be provided to Skar Lot 32.
- Acted as Kenyan counsel to Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited, Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) and Deutsche Investitions-Und Entwicklungsgesellschaft Mph (DEG), the project lenders, in respect of loan facilities to be provided to Hass Consortium- GVR Infra Limited, a special purpose vehicle incorporated in connection with Lot 3 of Phase 1A of the Kenya Roads Programme.
- Advised KCB Bank Kenya Limited on the financing of 23 properties to be developed by Homescope Properties Limited.
Kenya > Dispute resolution Tier 3
Kenya > Employment Tier 3
Kenya > Real estate and construction Tier 3
An established player in the real estate space, Walker Kontos Advocates can be relied upon for advice on structured real estate transactions and investments, sales and acquisitions, and structuring. Jointly leading the team are Alexandra Kontos, who is particularly experienced in investigating land titles, Michael Kontos, who excels in complex residential and commercial real estate projects, and Peter Mwangi and Martha Muturi, who field expertise in conveyancing and property law. Deepen Shah focuses on residential sale, purchase, financing and lease transactions.Practice head(s):
Alexandra Kontos; Michael Kontos; Peter Mwangi; Martha Muturi
Testimonials
‘Very knowledgeable about real estate particularly and an area in which Walker Kontos have been strong in the market for many decades.’
Key clients
International Finance Corporation
World Bank Group
United States International Development Finance Corporation
Société de Promotion et de Participation Coopération Economique (PROPARCO)
Standard Bank Group (Standard Bank of South Africa, Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited)
The Trade and Development Bank
Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
Bank of Africa Group
Absa Bank Kenya Plc
I&M Bank Limited
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC
FirstRand Bank Limited (acting through its Rand Merchant Band Division)
Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden N. V. (FMO)
European Investment Bank
KIBO Capital Partners Limited
GuarantCo
Michelin AIM FZE
CFAO
Hewlett-Packard
Ciel Group Mauritius
Globeleq Kenya Limited
Homescope Limited
Hajar Services Limited
Spelco International Limited
Turaco Properties Limited
Work highlights
- Assisted Prosel Limited with an extensive inquisition and due diligence exercise in a land acquisition process and with determining the risks involved with the historical movements on the title of the property.
Walker Kontos Advocates > Firm Profile
The firm:Â Walker Kontos was founded in 1988 by Peter Walker and Alexandra Kontos. Today, the firm has grown to comprise nine partners, 12 associates, five legal assistants, and over 35 support staff offering expert legal advice and support services to businesses, corporate entities, banks and financial institutions (including microfinance institutions), governments, multinationals, state corporations, diplomatic missions, NGOs, development agencies, and private clients.
The firm’s focus lies in corporate and commercial law in Kenya and the region with particular emphasis on M&A, capital markets, corporate and project finance, energy, banking and securitisation, company law, privatisation, conveyancing, and property law and infrastructure. The dedicated litigation team handles commercial litigation, corporate recovery and ADR matters.
In 2016, Walker Kontos entered into a strategic alliance with global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, with whom it has forged a strong mutual understanding and working relationship. They share the firm’s vision for growth and – with more than 3,800 lawyers and a presence in more than 50 cities across the world – have a verifiable reputation as a global leader in legal services. Operating in Burundi, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, they also have one of the largest legal footprints in Africa.
Areas of practice
Banking, finance and securitisations: as counsel to a number of commercial banks and mortgage finance institutions, the firm advises on various aspects relating to their day-to-day activities, new and upcoming banking legislation and prudential regulations as well as taking a proactive approach in a dynamic and evolving sector. The firm also advises development finance institutions (including IFC, EIB, DEG, FMO and PROPARCO) on various local and cross-border corporate and project finance transactions, syndications and debt restructuring transactions which require harmonisation as a result of multi-jurisdictional conflicts. Recently, the firm acted for Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited in connection with the proposed term loan and working capital facilities for the aggregate sum of US$25m to a company in the manufacturing (confectionery) sector and guaranteed by a related company.
The firm also acted for Standard Chartered Bank Limited in relation to the US$35m loan facility granted, in relation to the purchase of a mall in Uganda, to a subsidiary to be incorporated in Uganda for that purpose and secured by a mix of English, Ugandan and Kenyan law security created by the sponsors and related parties.
Mergers and acquisitions: the firm advises on a number of M&A transactions, both as counsel to the vendor and the purchaser. Its M&A work extends to advising on joint ventures, partnerships, management buy-outs and equity participations. The firm has acted in most of the recent M&As involving banks and financial institutions in Kenya.
The firm recently advised SBM Bank (Kenya) Limited in the acquisition of certain assets and the assumption of certain liabilities from and of Chase Bank (Kenya) Limited (In Receivership). The deal was innovative as it was the first receivership transaction to occur under the Kenya Deposit Insurance Act. Accordingly, it was necessary to find ways to navigate around gaps in the legislation to allow the deal to occur. We also acted for Prime Bank Limited (PBL) in the equity investment by AfricInvest Fund III LLC and Catalyst Fund II LP in consideration of shares in PBL.
Capital markets: the firm advises a wide client base including commercial banks and corporates on initial public offerings, rights issues, note and bond programmes including cross-listings on the five regional stock exchanges. The firm has acted for several commercial banks in their rights issue, IPOs and cross-listings. We advised Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited in its KES 28bn rights issue as well as in the subscription of its untaken shares following the rights issue by Public Investment Corporation SOC Ltd.
Energy: the firm has acted in recent ground-breaking transactions in the energy (renewable and traditional) and infrastructure sectors. It advises on all facets typical to transactions in these sectors such as applicable regulations, government support, direct agreements, EPC contracts and all local law security documents. On the sponsor side, the firm guides its clients on all set-up and regulatory matters and helps them to navigate the complexities of Kenyan land law. Michael Kontos and Rahma Karanja are currently advising clients in the development of a 40MW solar PV power project and the development of a 50MW wind farm project.
Real estate/conveyancing: in addition to acting for banks and financial institutions in securities over real property, the firm advises real estate developers on projects from inception to third party sales. Its experience is diverse and includes complex leasing and management structures for the development of residential estates and apartments as well as industrial estates, business parks and shopping malls. One of the Firm’s partners has been appointed to various task forces on land law, including most recently on the gazetted Regulations under the Land Act and the Land Registration Act. The firm is also currently advising Prabhaki Developers in connection with the development of an industrial park comprising 23 warehouses.
Corporate, commercial and company law: in this capacity, the firm is called upon to advise on a wide range of matters which affects clients’ day-to-day business. These are as varied as incorporation and start-up, joint ventures, corporate and management structuring, share issues, employment law, licensing and regulatory matters, financing, product development, environmental compliance matters and sales and acquisitions.
Corporate recovery and litigation: the firm’s litigation team primarily focuses on corporate recovery, employment, and insurance matters where principal clients include most of the commercial banks in Kenya and insurance companies. It has acted for client banks and receivers not only in debt collection and in the realisation of securities, but also in examining and putting together viable pre-receivership alternatives. The firm has also prosecuted and defended insurance claims including workmen’s compensation, employer liability and running down matters.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking and finance | Alexandra Kontos | akontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2719787 |
Banking and finance | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Banking and finance | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Banking and Finance | Peter Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Alexandra Kontos | akontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2719787 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Diana N Situma | dsituma@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Mergers and acquisitions | Martha Muturi | mgitonga@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Capital markets | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Capital markets | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Capital markets | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Capital markets | Diana N Situma | dsituma@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Energy | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Energy | Rahma W Karanja | rkaranja@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Energy | Diana Situma | dsituma@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Energy | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Real estate | Alexandra Kontos | akontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2719787 |
Real estate | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Real Estate | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Real Estate | Martha Muturi | mgitonga@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Private Equity | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Private Equity | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Private Equity | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Litigation, arbitration and ADR | Gregory Karungo Ngethe | gkarungo@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Litigation, arbitration and ADR | Paul Ogunde | pogunde@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Insolvency and restructuring | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Insolvency and restructuring | Paul Ogunde | pogunde@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Project finance | Alexandra Kontos | akontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2719787 |
Project finance | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Project finance | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Project finance | Diana Situma | dsituma@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Corporate, commercial and company law | Alexandra Kontos | akontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2719787 |
Corporate, commercial and company law | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Corporate, commercial and company law | Peter Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Corporate, commercial and company law | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Corporate, commercial and company law | Diana Situma | dsituma@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Corporate, commercial and company law | Rahma Karanja | rkaranja@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Corporate, commercial and company law | Martha Muturi | mgitonga@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Privitisation | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Privitisation | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Employment and ESOPS | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Employment and ESOPS | Gregory Karungo Ngethe | gkarungo@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Intellectual property | Rahma W Karanja | rkaranja@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Intellectual property | Gregory Karungo Ngethe | gkarungo@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Regulatory and law reform | Alexandra Kontos | akontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2719787 |
Regulatory and law reform | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Regulatory and law reform | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Regulatory and law reform | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Insurance | Alexandra Kontos | akontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2719787 |
Insurance | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Insurance | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Aviation | Deepen N Shah | dshah@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 27130323-6 |
Aviation | Michael Kontos | mkontos@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718431 |
Government, diplomatic missions and NGOs | Peter M Mwangi | pmwangi@walkerkontos.com | +254 20 2718430 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mrs Martha Gitonga Muturi | Martha is a partner in the corporate and commercial department specializing in… | View Profile | |
Ms Rahma Karanja | Rahma Karanja is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial department of… | View Profile | |
Mr Gregory Karungo | Gregory Karungo is a Litigation & Disputes Resolution Partner at Walker Kontos.… | View Profile | |
Mrs Alexandra Kontos | Alexandra Kontos is one of the founding partners and currently the Senior… | View Profile | |
Mr Michael Kontos | Michael Kontos is the Managing Partner of Walker Kontos. His expertise principally… | View Profile | |
Mr Wassim Mohamedali | Associate | View Profile | |
Mr Peter M Mwangi | Peter Muhiu Mwangi is a partner at Walker Kontos’ commercial and corporate… | View Profile | |
Mr Paul Ogunde | Paul Ogunde is a Partner in the litigation department at Walker Kontos.… | View Profile | |
Mr Deepen Shah | Deepen is a partner in the firm’s corporate and finance department specialising… | View Profile | |
Miss Diana Situma | Diana Situma is a partner in the corporate and commercial department. Diana… | View Profile |