Bowmans > Nairobi, Kenya > Firm Profile
Bowmans Offices
5TH FLOOR, ICEA LION CENTRE, WEST WING, RIVERSIDE PARK, CHIROMO ROAD
PO BOX 10643
NAIROBI 00100
Kenya
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Bowmans > The Legal 500 Rankings
Kenya > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1
With a strong foothold in complex domestic and cross-border finance transactions, Bowmans assists a wide range of clients, including lenders and borrowers across the energy, telecoms, real estate, and financial services sectors. Leveraged and acquisition finance, structured finance, derivatives, securitisation, subordinated debt, and insolvency and restructuring lie within the strengths of the practice, in addition to a dedicated fintech team. Practice head Cornelius Kigera has most recently been engaged by lenders in the oil and tea sectors on commodity finance matters, while Dominic Indokhomi is the go-to for queries relating to digital assets. Managing partner Paras Shah supports on complex transactions, including IPOs and sovereign bonds.Practice head(s):
Cornelius Kigera
Other key lawyers:
Dominic Indokhomi; Paras Shah; Candice Kola; Cynthia Amutete
Key clients
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC
ABSA Bank Limited
IndusInd Bank Limited
Sibed Transport Company Limited
International Finance Corporation
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited
Lendable Asset Management LLC
Nedbank Limited
The Land Degradation Neutrality Fund SLP
Work highlights
- Acted for KCB Bank Kenya Limited in advancing an Open Tender System facility to Galana Oil Kenya Limited and advised on the preparation of the loan and security documents.
- Acted for NCBA Bank Kenya PLC in connection with facilities by NCBA to Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Management Services Limited in the sum of $150m.
- Acted as Kenyan counsel to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in connection with the $25m loan to be extended to Platinum Credit Limited and Premier Credit Limited.
Kenya > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1
The corporate, commercial and M&A practice at Bowmans is a key industry player, boasting a high-profile client list in the financial services, private equity, agriculture, and food and beverage sectors. Large, cross-border transactions, public acquisitions, joint ventures, as well as due diligence and regulatory support form core pillars of work for the experienced team. M&A specialist Rainbow Field and competition law expert Joyce Karanja spearhead, with managing partner Paras Shah, who is well-versed in private equity and capital markets deals, Richard Harney, who is experienced in financing and structuring, and Philip Coulson, who covers company and commercial law, rounding out the team. Joyce Mbui, Vruti Shah, Kendall Evans, Wathingira Gituro, and Christina Nduba-Banja assist across the range of corporate and commercial matters.Practice head(s):
Rainbow Field; Joyce Karanja
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Amethis Retail, Gakiwawa Family Investments
Naivas International
Diageo PLC
KCB Group PLC
Ascent Capital Holdings Africa II Limited
Ascent DBH Limited
IBL Energy Holdings Ltd (IBL)
STOA SA (STOA)
IBL Ltd (IBL)
Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique (Proparco)
PEG Africa Ltd
Kartasi Products Limited
Kartasi Industries Limited
Women’s World Banking Capital Partners II (WWBCP II SSA, LLC)
Ascent Capital Holdings Africa II Limited
Sumitomo Corporation
Braeburn Schools Limited
Mawingu Networks Limited
Kenafric Biscuits Limited
East Africa Batteries Limited (EABL)
Oak Harbour Holdings Limited
Victory Farms Limited
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa
Hummingbirds AssetCo Blue Carbon
Work highlights
- Advised Amethis Retail and Naivas International on the sale of an aggregate stake of 40% in the capital of Naivas International to a consortium of investors led by IBL Limited, a publicly listed company in Mauritius, and including DEG and Proparco.
- Advised KCB Group PLC (KCB) on the acquisition of 85% of the shares of Trust Merchant Bank SA in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Advised IBL and Proparco on 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 (Harley Kenya), Harley’s (T) Limited (Harley Tanzania) and Harley’s (U) Limited (Harley Uganda).
Kenya > Employment Tier 1
Bowmans is a prime choice for international clients navigating the domestic employment scene and domestic corporations requiring a breadth of service. Leveraging cross-border expertise in the region, the team has an excellent track record in union and unfair dismissal suits, employment law elements of M&A transactions, employee incentive plans, and dispute resolution. Leadership is held jointly between Rainbow Field, whose focus is restructuring and redundancy, and Terry Mwango, who is the point of contact for contentious matters. Cecil Kuyo supports on litigation and alternative dispute resolution.Practice head(s):
Rainbow Field; Terry Mwango
Other key lawyers:
Cecil Kuyo; Irene Fwaya
Testimonials
‘Bowmans Kenya have excellent experience and expertise in employment and labour law matters.’
‘The team were able to provide high-quality urgent support that we required for an employment matter in Kenya recently and it was with their expertise that we were able to avoid a potentially bigger impact on the issue we faced. This expertise was reflected both at a partner and associate level which indicates an ability to help clients from a wider spectrum.’
‘Irene Fwaya was an invaluable help to us at a critical time during which our HR team required assistance on a restructuring matter. Her immediate availability and prompt advice on many issues was precisely what we required given the nature of the situation at the time.’
Key clients
HealthActive
Mawingu Networks Limited
Ericsson Limited
Boeing International Corporation PLC
Visa CEMEA Holdings Limited
Mawingu Networks Limited
Samasource
Corteva Agriscience
Sabic Kenya Ltd
60 Decibels
Kingston Reid and Fortescue Future Industries Kenya Ltd.
Microsoft East Africa Limited
Work highlights
- Advised HealthActiv (a member of IBL Group), on the preparation of template employment contracts to be entered into between Harley’s Limited (Harley Kenya) and its expatriate employees, and service agreements to be entered into between Harley Kenya and its founders.
- Advised and acted for Mawingu Networks Limited in an employment claim for unfair termination and a claim for an employee stock ownership plan.
- Advised and acted for Ericsson in an employment claim for unfair termination leading to a good outcome at the Court of Appeal.
Kenya > Privatisation and projects Tier 1
Bowmans sets the pace in novel infrastructure and project development particularly in the energy sector, assisting a range of domestic and foreign investors and developers. Portfolio acquisition, PPPs, investment proposals, infrastructure development, and energy transitions count among the practice’s key strengths. Highly regarded for his work on renewable energy deals and project financing, Aleem Tharani leads the practice, with support from Edwin Baru, whose work in C&I power projects, PPPs, energy transition, and procurement matters earned him a partner promotion in March 2023, and Matthew Arrumm, who has strong project finance credentials.Practice head(s):
Aleem Tharani
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Excellent work. Availability of senior team members and partners on engagements. Practical and commercial approach.’
‘The Bowmans team comprises highly qualified lawyers, with deep experience in their field and a robust network in Kenya. The firm is also commercial and pragmatic in its approach, which makes the overall experience of working with Bowmans very enjoyable.’
‘The Bowmans team members are approachable, knowledgeable and very commercial as well. Aleem Tharani in particular provides excellent leadership and steering in legal assignments. His personal experience and track record is commendable and very valuable to clients like us.’
Key clients
Africa50, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
Globeleq Africa Limited
Shandong Hi-Speed Group
Hass Infrastructure
GVR Infrastructure
Frontier Energy II Alpha K/S
Frontier Energy II Beta K/S
Rumuruti Solar Generation Limited
Milele Power Limited
Fortescue Future Industries
IBL Energy Holdings Ltd
Selu Limited
Work highlights
- Acted as lead advisors to 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 (KETRACO), the national electricity transmission utility.
- Assisted Globeleq Africa with closing the purchase of the 35MW geothermal power plant located in the Menengai geothermal project area from Quantum Power East Africa Limited.
- Advised 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
Dividing its attention between private city master plan developments, construction law matters, conservation projects and commercial leases, Bowmans enjoys a strong position in the fields of real estate and construction. Real estate transactions, construction contracts, private conservancy foundations and land development, and land rights disputes count among the team’s strengths. Practice head Cornelius Kigera is a heavyweight in real estate financing transactions, and is supported by the complex projects-focused Alex Njage, construction law specialist Simon Kiriba, conveyancing and property development expert Paras Shah, and commercial property expert Philip Coulson.Practice head(s):
Cornelius Kigera
Other key lawyers:
Alex Njage; Simon Kiriba; Paras Shah; Philip Coulson; Njeri Maina
Testimonials
‘Bowmans has provided an excellent team for our construction advice requests. They are very practical, on point, efficient and professional. They understand our needs very well and provide very realistic advice.’
Key clients
Tatu City Limited and Tatu City Phase 2 SEZ Limited
And Beyond Holdings (Pty) Limited
Sunbird Support Services Kenya Limited
Gateway Real Estate Africa Limited
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Borana Conservancy
Great Plains Conservancy Ltd
Shompole Plains Ltd
Tajano Limited
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Goodison Nine Limited
Base Titanium Limited
Superior Homes (Kenya) PLC
Lake Turkana Wind Power Limited
Base Titanium Limited
The Nature Conservancy
Work highlights
- Advised And Beyond Holdings (Pty) Limited in the incorporation of Kenyan subsidiaries and acquisition of two parcels of land measuring approximately 50 acres each for purposes of establishing tourist luxury accommodation within Suyian Ranch, which sits on a 44,010-acre parcel of land.
- Advised Lake Turkana Wind Power Limited on land law matters relating to the ownership of property on which the client has built and operates a 310MW wind power project.
- Acted for Ol Pejeta Conservancy in leasing various parcels of land within the conservancy for tourism and conservation purposes.
Kenya > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Bowmans‘ experienced dispute resolution practice counts among its clients consulting firms and actors within the real estate, consumer goods, tech, and commodities industries, and advises on a variety of governance and compliance matters, IP and tax litigation, insolvency disputes, and international arbitration. The team benefits from the leadership of Terry Mwango, whose specialisms include IP, media, and competition law. Cecil Kuyo is a key asset for alternative dispute resolution, and George Ndung’u supports across the range of contentious work.Practice head(s):
Terry Mwango
Other key lawyers:
Cecil Kuyo; Effie Omondi; Alfred Deya; George Ndung’u; Agnes Akal
Key clients
Pathologists Lancet Kenya
Base Titanium Limited
And Beyond Kenya Limited
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
I&M Bank Kenya PLC
KEDA Ceramics Limited (formerly Twyford Ceramics Limited)
Shihua Industry Alliance Co., Limited
Smith Lacien LLP
J.S Staedtler, GMBH & CO., KG
Work highlights
- Acted for Pathologists Lancet Kenya Limited (PLK) and Lancet Services Company Kenya Limited (LSCK) in a matter filed in the Commercial & Admiralty Division of the High Court relating to a shareholder dispute.
- Acted for Twyford Ceramics Limited in a land dispute over determination of the rightful owner of land to be purchased.
- Represented ABKL in an appeal filed in the High Court against the decision of the Tax Appeals Tribunal in relation to corporate income tax, value added tax and withholding tax.
Bowmans > Firm Profile
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 500 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 special relationships with firms in Mozambique and Uganda; 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: info-ke@bowmanslaw.com
Mauritius: Moka
3rd Floor, The Dot, Avenue De Telfair, Moka, Mauritius
T: +230 460 5959
E: info-ma@bowmanslaw.com
Namibia: Swakopmund
No. 6 Antonius Garten, c/o Hendrik Witbooi Str & Theo-Ben Gurirab Avenue, Swakopmund, Namibia
T: +264 64 406 320
E: info-na@bowmanslaw.com
Namibia: Windhoek
33 Schanzen Road PO Box 3516, Windhoek, Namibia
T: +264 61 382 800
E: info-na@bowmanslaw.com
South Africa: Cape Town
22 Bree Street, Cape Town, South Africa
T: +27 21 480 7800
E: info-cpt@bowmanslaw.com
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: info-dbn@bowmanslaw.com
South Africa: Johannesburg
11 Alice Lane, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
T: +27 11 669 9000
E: info-jhb@bowmanslaw.com
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: info-tz@bowmanslaw.com
Zambia: Lusaka
3rd Floor, Evexia Commercial Building, Plot Number 1014, Church Road, Lusaka
T: +260 21 135 6638
E: info-zb@bowmanslaw.com
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
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chairman and Senior Partner | Ezra Davids | ezra.davids@bowmanslaw.com | +27 11 669 9000 |
Group Managing Partner | Alan Keep | alan.keep@bowmanslaw.com | +27 11 669 9000 |
Office Managing Partner, Cape Town | Deon de Klerk | deon.deklerk@bowmanslaw.com | +27 21 480 7800 |
Office Managing Partner, Durban | Yasmeen Suliman | yasmeen.suliman@bowmanslaw.com | +27 31 109 1150 |
Senior Partner, Kenya | Richard Harney | richard.harney@bowmanslaw.com | +254 20 289 9000 |
Managing Partner, Kenya | Paras Shah | paras.shah@bowmanslaw.com | +254 20 289 9000 |
Managing Partner, Mauritius | Fazil Hossenkhan | fazil.hossenkhan@bowmanslaw.com | +230 460 5959 |
Senior Partner, Namibia | Irvin Titus | irvin.titus@bowmanslaw.com | +264 64 406 320 |
Managing Partner, Namibia | Stephen Vlieghe | stephen.vlieghe@bowmanslaw.com | +264 64 406 320 |
Senior Partner, Tanzania | Wilbert Kapinga | wilbert.kapinga@bowmanslaw.com | +255 76 898 8640 |
Managing Partner, Tanzania | Michael Strain | michael.strain@bowmanslaw.com | +255 76 898 8640 |
Managing Partner, Zambia | Mabvuto Sakala | mabvuto.sakala@bowmanslaw.com | +260 21 135 6638 |
Lawyer Profiles
Staff Figures
Total staff : 1000+ Lawyers : 500+Languages
EnglishMemberships
Lex Mundi - The World's Leading Association of Independent Law Firms- Banking, finance and capital markets
- Commercial, corporate and M&A
- Employment
- Privatisation and projects
- Real estate and construction
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution