Bowmans > Nairobi, Kenya > Firm Profile

Bowmans
5TH FLOOR, ICEA LION CENTRE, WEST WING, RIVERSIDE PARK, CHIROMO ROAD
PO BOX 10643
NAIROBI 00100
Kenya

Email firm Visit website 254 20 289 9000

– Bowmans standard profile
Bowmans – Nairobi

Kenya > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

Praised by clients for its ‘very creative solutions for client’s transactions’, Bowmans‘s banking and finance team benefits from the firm’s full-service offering, advising lenders and borrowers on the full spectrum of strategic finance matters, including debt restructuring, projects, real estate and commodities finance, acquisition finance, capital markets, leveraged and acquisition finance, and structured finance. The team is highly sought after for its international expertise, advising clients from the banking, energy, telecommunications, and other industries on local and cross-border transactions. Cornelius Kigera heads the team, and is frequently approached for high-value corporate financing matters, while Dominic Indokhomi has a strong track record in fintech, capital markets, and debt structurings. Paras Shah is highly active in complex transactions, including syndicated loans.

Leading partners

Paras Shah - Bowmans

Cornelius Kigera – Bowmans

Dominic Indokhomi – Bowmans

Leading associates

Cynthia Amutete – Bowmans

Practice head(s):

Cornelius Kigera

Other key lawyers:

Dominic Indokhomi; Paras Shah

Testimonials

‘The firm is able to think of very creative solutions for their client’s transactions.’

‘They have wide reaching networks within and outside of the Kenyan government and are able to give business and legal insight where needed.’

‘The associates and teams in the firm are relatively young and tech savvy which makes communication and quick turnaround time efficient and friendly to their clients.’

‘Cornelius Kigera offers exceptional service in terms of prompt legal advice and legal opinions. He is client focused, understands our business and his technical ability is outstanding.’

‘I work with the Banking and Finance team led by Cornelius Kigera. He is easy to reach, thinks on his feet, gives sound opinions that take into account our customer needs and the bank’s bottom line.’

‘They take their time to network and touch base with their clients. Ensuring to properly equip them with new knowledge, free trainings on any trending legal matters that would affect our day to day operations etc. They are fun, easy going and extremely knowledgable. An absolute pleasure to work with!’

‘I have had the pleasure of working with Cornelius Kigera who leads the team. He has maintained a very practical and commercially sound approach in his legal advice. He is super responsive.’

‘The Bowmans team has a profound grasp of local and international laws & financing regulations and have wide Africa footprint which makes it very simple when engaging them on regional deals. The team is also uniquely placed in the market when advising on complex English law financing transactions.’

Key clients

E3 Energy Kenya Limited

KCB Bank Kenya Limited

Greenlight Planet Kenya Limited

Stanbic Bank Botswana Limited,

The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited

Cordiant Capital Inc.

Vantage Mezzanine III Pan African Sub Fund Partnership

United Nations (Acting through Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP)

FMO

Mirova Sunfunder Inc

Apollo Agriculture Limited

Work highlights

Acted as Kenyan counsel to Greenlight Planet Kenya Limited in a securitisation relating to the purchase of its receivables by Sun King Financing Limited, who in turn were being financed by several lenders through the issuance of notes.
Advised E3 Energy on the financing they were to receive from KCB Bank Kenya.
Acted as counsel for KCB in connection with secured banking facilities for up to USD110m to Fort Retail Kenya Limited.

Kenya > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Praised by clients for its ‘patience, competence, and diligence’, the corporate, commercial, and M&A department at Bowmans is frequently retained by key regional clients and multinationals in highly valuable mandates, including financing, corporate governance, capital markets, share and asset sales, restructurings, and other services. The team utilises significant expertise in cross-border matters, advising clients in domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions in the agriculture, finance, manufacturing, investment, and technology industries. Rainbow Field and Joyce Karanja co-head the team, and are both sought after by clients for their extensive expertise in M&A, capital markets, competition, and other areas. Paras Shah is significantly experienced in corporate M&As, while Richard Harney

is often retained in financing and structuring matters. Philip Coulson and Joyce Mbui are both notable for their corporate and commercial experience. Vruti Shah, Kendall Evans, Wathingira Gituro, and Christina Nduba-Banja are also key members of the team, and are frequently seen in transactional matters.

Practice head(s):

Joyce Karanja; Rainbow Field

Other key lawyers:

Paras Shah; Richard Harney; Philip Coulson; Joyce Mbui; Vruti Shah; Kendall Evans; Wathingira Gituro; Christina Nduba-Banja

Testimonials

‘The team, led by Christina Nduba-Banja, delivered outstanding performance.’

‘Their collective skills and expertise worked seamlessly together, enabling them to effectively handle our queries and concerns throughout the transaction.’

‘They consistently demonstrated patience, competence, and diligence, simplifying complex issues and anticipating our needs. Their advice was both comprehensive and precisely tailored to our specific situation and the transaction at hand.’

‘Christina Nduba-Banja is an exceptional lawyer and individual. Despite being a partner, she remained approachable and accessible, consistently addressing every detail, concern, and issue in the M&A transaction with thoroughness and efficiency.’

‘Christina Nduba-Banja’s extensive experience in M&A was clear in how she represented us and effectively led her team. Even amid frustrating delays, Christina maintained her composure, which had a reassuring and calming effect on both her clients and her team.’

‘Christina Nduba-Banja was forthright about areas outside her expertise, involving other firm members to address specific issues, which further reinforced our confidence in both her and the firm’s overall competence.’

‘Are very supportive and available to readily support in client projects.’

‘Creative solutions provided by Wathingira Gituro. Paras Shah is readily available to provide client support and pushes as quickly as possible to close on transactions.’

Key clients

James Finlay Limited

Lipton Teas and Infusions B.V.

Holcim Group Services Ltd

Hollard International (Pty) Limited

British International Investment PLC

Vantage Capital

E3 Capital Management

Enterprise Projects Ventures Limited

Progression Eastern Africa Microfinance Equity Fund

BigCold Africa Holdings LLC

Hill+Knowlton Strategies Nigeria Ltd

Africa Poultry Development Limited

Work highlights

Acted for Lipton Teas an Infusions B.V., a leading player in the global tea industry, in the sale of its tea businesses in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania by way of a sale of shares to B Commodities ME, a subsidiary of Browns Investments Plc, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Advised James Finlay Limited on the sale of 85% of the shareholding of James Finlay (Kenya) Limited to B Commodities ME, a subsidiary of Browns Investments Plc, together with the carve-out of a certain business and assets of James Finlay (Kenya) Limited, and the sale of 15% of James Finlay (Kenya) Limited to Kipsigis Highlands Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
Acted for Kenya’s largest bank by assets, KCB Group Plc, in respect of its sale of 100% of the issued share capital of National Bank of Kenya Limited, to Nigerian banking conglomerate, Access Bank Plc.

Kenya > Privatisation and projects Tier 1

Clients praise the ‘top calibre country experts’ in the projects team at Bowmans, which stands out for its expertise in energy sector-related projects, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and oil and gas power generation, alongside its activity in the agriculture and public utility sectors. The team boasts a breadth of projects expertise, being involved in project transactions, investments, due diligence, and PPPs. Aleem Tharani heads the team, and fields considerable expertise in energy and infrastructure-related matters. Edwin Baru‘s portfolio of mandates includes PPPs, energy transition, and public procurements. Associates Matthew Arrumm and Jessica Mutemi are among the most active and experienced members of the team, and are frequently retained in renewable energy projects.

Leading associates

Matthew Arrumm – Bowmans

Jessica Mutemi – Bowmans

Next Generation Partners

Edwin Baru – Bowmans

Aleem Tharani –Bowmans

Practice head(s):

Aleem Tharani

Other key lawyers:

Edwin Baru; Matthew Arrumm; Jessica Mutemi

Testimonials

‘Responsive, flexible, proactive and subject matter experts even in developing areas of law.’

‘Very capable lawyers, with extensive experience in the energy sector and good commercial skillset.’

‘Coverage in several countries, top calibre country experts, responsive, client-focused. Send out country legal updates regularly that are useful.’

‘Aleem Tharani is an excellent partner which is both very reliable and experienced. His legal advice has always been sharp, pragmatic and clear. It is a pleasure to work with Aleem as he delivers high quality work and has great network in the industry.’

‘The level of attention and understanding the client’s needs makes Bowmans unique.’

‘We have worked closely with Matthew Arrumm, who is knowledgeable about the areas he was handling, went a step further to keep us informed of updates in the sector we were interested in and was always willing to go the extra mile.’

‘Young and dynamic team with vast experience in energy and infrastructure projects.’

‘Edwin Baru and Aleem Tharani are very hands-on and are always available to respond to client\’s queries on short notice. They are both lauded in the industry for their timely and reliable advice.’

Key clients

Africa50, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited

Actis Energy Okavango Mauritius Limited, BioTherm Energy (Pty) Ltd

Frontier Energy II Alpha

Frontier Energy II Beta

Africa Oil Kenya B.V.

Fortescue Future Industries

Zambia Renewables Holdco Limited

Africa Renewable Energy Fund II

Milele Power Limited

IBL Energy Holdings Ltd

Work highlights

Advised Africa50 and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited who have been mandated by the Government of Kenya to develop, structure, finance, and build certain high priority transmission lines on a Public Private Partnership basis in collaboration with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company.
Assisted Globeleq Africa with the purchase of the 35MW geothermal power plant located in the Menengai geothermal project area from Quantum Power East Africa limited.
Advising Frontier Energy on all aspects of the development and financing of two captive solar systems, 6.9MW in Athi River and 20.3MW Mombasa, for Bamburi Cement.

Kenya > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Bowmans‘s real estate department is noted by clients for fielding a ‘very knowledgeable and collaborative team’ and is sought after by clients for its extensive experience in major real estate mandates, including most master plan projects in Kenya, construction transactions, disputes, and contracts, including energy and infrastructure projects. The team is also known for its strong presence in environmental and conservation matters, frequently being retained by environmental NGOs, along with negotiating commercial leases for local and international clients. Cornelius Kigera heads the team, and boasts considerable conveyancing, construction, and commercial real estate matters. He is ably assisted by Alex Njage, a specialist in complex real estate and master planning matters. Simon Kiriba is another key member of the team for construction contracting and dispute resolution.

Leading partners

Philip Coulson –Bowmans

Cornelius Kigera – Bowmans

Alex Njage –Bowmans

Paras Shah – Bowmans

Next Generation Partners

Simon Kiriba –Bowmans

Practice head(s):

Cornelius Kigera

Other key lawyers:

Alex Njage; Simon Kiriba

Testimonials

‘They have experience, knowledge and availability for the Client.’

‘Simon Kiriba has the right experience for the project and he also makes himself available to attend when is needed, compliying with the defined deadlines.’

‘Great people at Bowman’s – polite and respectful, thorough, innovative advise – ahead of the curve. Always up to date with dynamic local legal context.’

‘Alex Njage – always willing to go the extra mile – calm, patient and charming. Ready to listen and discuss issues and ideas. Consistently available for quick updates and calls. Very thorough and current.’

‘Great expertise in real estate and construction law.’

‘Understanding of African market realities and risk reflected in their commercial and billing attitudes. Great professionalism yet very reachable.’

‘Very knowledgeable and collaborative team. The attention to detail is also quite exceptional.’

‘Simon Kiriba went above and beyond in preparing construction agreements that matched our needs exactly. He was also quite easy to reach and collaborative too.’

Key clients

Tatu City Limited

Tatu City Phase 2 SEZ Limited

Superior Homes (Kenya) PLC

IHS

Base Titanium

Game Ranching Limited

BW LPG

Great Plains Conservancy Ltd

Suyian Ranch Limited

Loisaba Conservancy

Lolldaiga Conservancy

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

IX Africa Data Centre Limited

Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa

Printcare Packaging East Africa Limited

Domino Investments Limited

Maisha Housing Limited

Skanem Developments Nairobi Limited

Ecograf Limited

Vantage Capital

Work highlights

Advised Base Titanium Limited on matters relating to settlement of persons displaced by their mining activities and closure of their mining operations in Kwale, Kenya.
Advised Lewa Wildlife Conservancy on the acquisition of control over various properties measuring approximately 37,000 acres with an aim of creating a model and catalyst for the conservation of wildlife and its habitat.
Advising HCB on the major refurbishment of the 1,420 kilometres high voltage direct current transmission lines superhighway from the HCB power plant in Songo, North Mozambique to Apollo power station in Pretoria, South Africa.

Kenya > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Bowmans‘ dispute resolution team is headed by IP, media, competition, and finance disputes expert Terry Mwango, whose broad services reflect the department’s growing capacity for dispute mandates. This includes regulatory compliance, including anti-corruption and anti-money laundering, international commercial arbitrations, insolvencies, and employment litigation. Cecil Kuyo is highly active in the team’s alternative dispute resolution and commercial litigation matters, frequently handling IP and corporate disputes, as well as arbitrations and mediations.

Next Generation Partners

Cecil Kuyo –Bowmans

Practice head(s):

Terry Mwango

Other key lawyers:

Cecil Kuyo

Testimonials

‘Bowman provides very on point, practical and accurate information and road maps.’

‘It is easy to interact with Bowmans. They are good at reacting quickly.’

‘They are good at simplifying complicated topics.’

Key clients

Pathologists Lancet Kenya Limited

Base Titanium Limited

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP

I&M Bank PLC

KEDA Ceramics Limited

Smith Lacien LLP

Shihua Industry Alliance Co., Limited

J.S Staedtler, GMBH & CO., KG

Aecom Africa (PTY) Limited

Work highlights

Acting for RSW International Inc and Aecom Africa (Pty) Limited in a contractual dispute that arose from various written and oral agreements for project management services in an electricity generation project.
Acting for Pathologists Lancet Kenya Limited and Lancet Services Company Kenya Limited in a matter filed in the Commercial & Admiralty Division of the High Court.
Acting as legal counsel for WPP PLC & WPP Scangroup PLC in a suit filed by a former CEO of WPP Scangroup PLC challenging his removal from the company.

Kenya > Employment Tier 2

Bowmans‘ employment team fields ‘professionalism and a proactive approach’ and is often sought after by clients in the insurance, NGO, healthcare, and technology industries, among other regulated sectors. The team is retained for a diverse rapport of employment mandates, but fields considerable expertise in matters pertaining to transactions, including due diligence and review of employee benefits and pensions, alongside unfair terminations. Rainbow Field co-heads the team with Terry Mwango, with the former’s experience in restructuring, HR policy, and regulatory compliance complementing the latter’s expertise in contentious matters. Cecil Kuyo is a specialist in litigation and alternative dispute resolution, which extends to employee and labour relations.

Leading partners

Rainbow Field –Bowmans

Practice head(s):

Rainbow Field; Terry Mwango

Other key lawyers:

Cecil Kuyo

Testimonials

‘Professionalism and a proactive approach. Understanding not only as legal expert, but also and first and foremost as problem solver.’

‘The team in Bowmans’ employment practice have an exceptionally high service level and expertise. They also have a wide network of high-quality alliance firms around Africa.’

‘I appreciate the professionalism, the detail and the intentionality in handling my matters.’

‘The individuals never miss out on details.’

‘Bowman’s deliver everything that we require as a business within the region. Their responsiveness is like no other in our experience. Their advice is clear and timely.’

‘Rainbow Field is the partner responsible for our account. Rainbow frequently goes above and beyond to deal with matters. We get extremely timely responses which allow our business to take the appropriate and informed decisions as required. This service is significantly better than what we have had previously in Kenya.’

Key clients

HealthActiv

IBL Ltd

James Finlay Limited

Embassy of Sweden

Dupont Performance Speciality Products

Coca Cola Beverages Africa Kenya

Boeing International Corporation PLC

Ericsson Kenya Limited

Mawingu Networks Limited

Work highlights

Advising HealthActiv on the preparation of template employment contracts to be entered into between Harley’s Limited and its expatriate employees and service agreements to be entered into between Harley Kenya and its founders.
Advising IBL on various employment and taxation matters in Kenya, as part of the acquisition of 65% of the shares in Westlands Heights Limited, a Mauritian holding company of the East African pharmaceuticals wholesale dealers, Harley’s Limited, Harleys (T) Limited and Harley’s (U) Limited, by IBL and Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique.
Acting for Boeing International Corporation PLC in an employment claim for unfair termination leading to a good outcome at the Employment & Labour Relations Court.

About Bowmans
Bowmans helps its clients manage legal complexity and unlock opportunity in Africa. Its enviable track record of providing legal services to the highest professional standards on the continent, spans corporate, finance, competition, taxation, employment, technology and dispute resolution matters.

With over 650 specialist lawyers, Bowmans draws on its unique knowledge of the business and socio-political environment in Africa to advise on a wide range of legal issues.

The firm delivers integrated legal services from nine offices (Cape Town,
Dar es Salaam, Durban, Johannesburg, Lusaka, Moka, Nairobi, Swakopmund and Windhoek) in six countries (Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia).

Everywhere it operates, Bowmans offers its clients a service that uniquely blends expertise in the law, knowledge of the local market, and an understanding of their businesses. The firm’s aim is to assist its clients to achieve their objectives as smoothly and efficiently as possible while minimising the legal and regulatory risks.

The firm works closely with its Alliance firms Aman & Partners LLP in Ethiopia and Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie in Nigeria. Bowmans has a non-exclusive co-operation agreement with French international law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel that provides access to lawyers in francophone west and north Africa; regularly works with other leading independent law firms across the rest of Africa; and is a representative of Lex Mundi, a global association of independent law firms in more than 125 countries.

Clients include domestic and foreign corporates, multinationals, funds and financial institutions, across a range of industry sectors, as well as state-owned enterprises and governments.

Offices
Kenya: Nairobi
5th Floor, ICEA Lion Centre, West Wing, Riverside Park, Chiromo Road, Nairobi, Kenya
T: +254 20 289 9000
E: [email protected]

Mauritius: Moka
3rd Floor, The Dot, Avenue De Telfair, Moka, Mauritius
T: +230 460 5959
E: [email protected]

Namibia: Swakopmund
No. 6 Antonius Garten, c/o Hendrik Witbooi Str & Theo-Ben Gurirab Avenue, Swakopmund, Namibia
T: +264 64 406 320
E: [email protected]

Namibia: Windhoek
33 Schanzen Road PO Box 3516, Windhoek, Namibia
T: +264 61 382 800
E: [email protected]

South Africa: Cape Town
22 Bree Street, Cape Town, South Africa
T: +27 21 480 7800
E: [email protected]

South Africa: Durban
Ground Floor, Compendium House, 5 The Crescent, Westway Office Park, Harry Gwala Road, Westville, Durban, South Africa
T: +27 31 109 1150
E: [email protected]

South Africa: Johannesburg
11 Alice Lane, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
T: +27 11 669 9000
E: [email protected]

Tanzania: Dar es Salaam
2nd Floor, The Luminary Cnr Haile Selassie and Chole Roads, Masaki,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
T: +255 76 898 8640
E: [email protected]

Zambia: Lusaka
3rd Floor, Evexia Commercial Building, Plot Number 1014, Church Road, Lusaka
T: +260 21 135 6638
E: [email protected]

Key areas of specialisation
Banking and financial services regulatory
Commercial property
Competition
Corporate investigations
Corporate services
Data protection
Debt capital markets
Dispute resolution
Employment and benefits
Environment, sustainability and climate change
Equity capital markets
ESG
Finance
Fintech
Governance, compliance and investigations
Government contracting and public procurement
Intellectual property
International arbitration
Litigation and arbitration
Local content and broad-based black economic empowerment
Media, entertainment and broadcasting
Mergers and acquisitions
Oil and gas
Pensions law
Private equity
Project finance
Regulatory services
Restructuring
Shipping, aviation and logistics
Tax
Technology
Telecommunications

Key areas of practice
Aviation
Construction
Consumer goods
Education
Energy
Financial institutions
Hotels and leisure
Industrials
Infrastructure
Insurance
Mining
Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
Ports, Rail and Logistics
Technology, media and telecommunications

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Chairman and Senior Partner	Ezra Davids	[email protected]	+27 11 669 9000
Group Managing Partner	Alan Keep	[email protected]	+27 11 669 9000
Office Managing Partner, Durban	Yasmeen Suliman	[email protected]	+27 31 109 1150
Senior Partner, Kenya	Richard Harney	[email protected]	+254 20 289 9000
Managing Partner, Kenya	Paras Shah	[email protected]	+254 20 289 9000
Managing Partner, Mauritius	Fazil Hossenkhan	[email protected]	+230 460 5959
Senior Partner, Namibia	Irvin Titus	[email protected]	+264 64 406 320
Managing Partner, Namibia	Stephen Vlieghe	[email protected]	+264 64 406 320
Senior Partner, Tanzania	Wilbert Kapinga	[email protected]	+255 76 898 8640
Managing Partner, Tanzania	Michael Strain	[email protected]	+255 76 898 8640
Managing Partner, Zambia	Mabvuto Sakala	[email protected]	+260 21 135 6638

Name	Position	Profile
Ms Cynthia Amutete	Senior Associate	View Profile
Mr Matthew Arrumm	Senior Associate	View Profile
Mr Edwin Baru	Partner	View Profile
Mr Philip Coulson	Partner	View Profile
Mr Alfred Deya	Senior Associate	View Profile
Mr Kendall Evans	Director	View Profile
Ms Rainbow Field	Director	View Profile
Ms Irene Fwaya	Senior Associate	View Profile
Mr Wathingira Gituro	Partner	View Profile
Mr Richard Harney	Senior Partner, Kenya	View Profile
Mr Dominic Indokhomi	Partner	View Profile
Ms Joyce Karanja	Partner	View Profile
Mr Cornelius Kigera	Partner	View Profile
Mr Simon Kiriba	Partner	View Profile
Mr Cecil Kuyo	Co-head of International Arbitration	View Profile
Ms Njeri Maina	Senior Associate	View Profile
Mr Alex Mathini	Head of Commercial Property, Kenya	View Profile
Ms Joyce Mbui	Partner	View Profile
Miss Jessica Mutemi	Associate	View Profile
Ms Terry Mwango	Partner	View Profile
Ms Bertha Mwarija	Senior Associate	View Profile
Ms Christina Nduba-Banja	Partner	View Profile
Mr Alex Njage	Head of Commercial Property, Kenya	View Profile
Mr Andrew Oduor	Partner	View Profile
Ms Effie Omondi	Senior Associate	View Profile
Ms Vruti Shah	Partner	View Profile
Mr Paras Shah	Managing Partner, Kenya	View Profile
Mr Aleem Tharani	Co-head of Infrastructure	View Profile

Total staff : 1000+
Lawyers : 500+

English

Lex Mundi - The World's Leading Association of Independent Law Firms

About Bowmans Kenya: Bowmans’ Kenyan Practice is one of the largest and best-known corporate law firms in Kenya.

Bowmans’ Kenyan team specialises in Kenyan law but also has foreign-law expertise especially in English law banking and finance matters and corporate and commercial transactions. Other specialist areas include intellectual property, technology, arbitration, tax, energy, project finance, capital markets, investigations and corporate services.

The team advises a wide spectrum of clients in the private sector, institutional and multi-national organisations, foreign investors and governmental institutions.

Awards
Chambers Africa Awards: Kenya Law Firm of the Year, 2022
Africa Private Equity & Venture Capital Association Awards: Outstanding Legal Advisor, 2022

About Bowmans: Bowmans helps its clients manage legal complexity and unlock opportunity in Africa. Its enviable track record of providing legal services to the highest professional standards on the continent, spans corporate, finance, competition, taxation, employment, technology and dispute resolution matters.

With over 650 specialist lawyers, Bowmans draws on its unique knowledge of the business and socio-political environment in Africa to advise on a wide range of legal issues.

The firm delivers integrated legal services from nine offices (Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Johannesburg, Lusaka, Moka, Nairobi, Swakopmund and Windhoek) in six countries (Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia).