Leading Associates

Dispute resolution in Kenya

Anjarwalla & Khanna

Anjarwalla & Khanna counts among its expansive client portfolio a broad range of household names, representing them in some of the most complex, high-value disputes in the region. Alongside the traditional spectrum of commercial litigation, the practice is also well-resourced to assist with arbitration, white-collar defence, investigations, and compliance matters. As head of the regional practice based in Nairobi, Aisha Abdallah demonstrates her impressive acumen in sensitive bribery and corruption-related defence, while Faith Macharia is lauded for her track record in employment disputes. International litigation and arbitration expert Luisa Cetina excels as joint head of the forensics and investigations division, and Abbas Esmail specialises in constitutional and human rights litigation.

Praxisleiter:

Aisha Abdallah


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Faith Macharia; Luisa Cetina; Abbas Esmail; Zillah Moka


Referenzen

‘The ALN team has remained outstanding in the changing dispute management landscape. The team stretches into cross-border disputes as seamlessly as it handles domestic matters. Agility, experience, efficiency and skills make them stand out.’

‘Faith Macharia stands out for her courtroom presence and her impeccable advisory on complex cross-border disputes.’

‘Strong team with a keen eye for strategy. Good courtroom instincts and great technical skills.’

Kernmandanten

Vodafone Group


Vodafone International Holdings BV


Vodafone Kenya


Mpesa Holding Company


Netflix International


Google Kenya


SBM Africa Holdings


Actis


Siemens


Catalyst Principal Partners


Amiran


Base Titanium


Nokia Corporation


Lufthansa


Boston Athletic Association


The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM)


The Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI)


Mitsui &Co


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for Vodafone Group and related entities in connection with a public interest suit filed at the High Court Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division, Nairobi, by shareholders and users of the Mpesa mobile money platform jointly developed by Safaricom.
  • Acted for KAM, a Kenyan business association with over 1,000 members, in connection with a tax dispute against the Attorney General, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the National Assembly, challenging the constitutionality of minimum tax provisions at 1% of the gross revenue of a business.
  • Acted for Netflix in connection with the alleged copyright infringement of Kenya’s first TV series on Netflix, Country Queen.

Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews

The dispute resolution practice at Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews is routinely retained in complex litigation and arbitration by an array of corporate clients from the banking, insurance, energy, construction, retail, and public sectors. Distinct specialisations in competition, constitutional and administrative, tax, and regulated industry law form core pillars of work for the team. Banking, insurance, and IP expert Michi Kirimi now heads the team, supported by the tax and real estate-focused Kiragu Kimani and commercial and employment specialist Ezra Makori.

Praxisleiter:

Michi Kirimi


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kiragu Kimani; Ezra Makori; Wilson Mwihuri; Queenton Ochieng’; Lawson Ondieki


Referenzen

‘Best service quality.’

‘The team is hard-working and delivers an excellent service.’

‘Excellent service delivery to clients. They give great client care through the provision of swift updates on the progress of matters handled and meet strict client and court deadlines.’

Kernmandanten

Equity Bank (Kenya) Limited


Vivo Energy Kenya Limited


The Heritage Insurance Company Limited


Powerchina International Group Limited


Stecol Corporation


Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets Limited


Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation


British Army Training Unit Kenya


Parklane Construction Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for a construction engineering company in a suit alleging damages of KSh450m alleged to have been suffered as a result of their quarrying activities.
  • Acted for the British Army Training Unit in Kenya in defending a constitutional petition instituted before the Environment & Land Court by over 1,500 claimants alleging that a fire that started as a result of a military training exercise had affected the claimants and violated their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.
  • Acted for a prominent hypermarket chain in the country in an appeal to the High Court from the judgment of the Competition Tribunal upholding the decision of the Competition Authority which had imposed certain sanctions on the client.

Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates

Excelling in the representation of several government entities in recent landmark cases, Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates is equally proficient in litigation arising out of sectors as diverse as financial services, energy, consumer goods, food, and retail. Regulatory and administrative law, competition law, and international arbitration sit well within the team’s comfort zone. Kamau Karori stands at the head of the team and is particularly sought after for his experience in commercial arbitration. Martin Munyu is well-versed in construction and insurance disputes, while Milly Jalega excels in election disputes. Diana Ogula and Hiram Nyaburi are other strong litigators in the team.

Praxisleiter:

Kamau Karori


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Martin Munyu; Milly Jalega; Diana Ogula; Hiram Nyaburi


Referenzen

‘The firm is extremely competent in the performance of the duties. They provide sound legal options and undertake their research before providing any proposals on the best viable options.’

‘The firm has connections with DLA Piper and I feel this has given them an edge over the others in terms of expertise.’

‘Diana Ogula will go to war for a client. Extremely good litigator.’

Kernmandanten

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)


Absa Bank Kenya PLC (Formerly Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited)


East Africa Breweries Limited


Kenya Breweries Limited & UDV Kenya Limited


Kenya Pipeline Company


Equity Bank Limited


Telkom Kenya Limited


Kenya Airports Authority


Government of Kenya-Office of the Attorney General


Company for Habitat and Housing in Africa (Shelter Afrique)


Cooperative Bank of Kenya Limited


Urysia Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted as the lead counsel for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in defending the IEBC in eight presidential election petitions filed before the Supreme Court of Kenya by various parties following the 9 August 2022 General Elections which sought to nullify the election results.
  • Represented Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) as lead counsel in seeking to recover debts owed to it for products supplied to various oil marketing companies under various transport and storage agreements, the total value of which claims amount to approximately $6.9m.
  • Acted for Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited in an appeal in the High Court against the decision of the Tax Appeals Tribunal which upheld KRA’s assessment on excise duty.

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Boasting an impressive client portfolio drawn from key industry sectors including commodities, construction, energy, insurance, financial services, and international trade, Kaplan & Stratton Advocates enjoys a secure position in the dispute resolution, mediation and arbitration space. The practice is routinely engaged in commercial disputes, class actions, and shareholder and company disputes. Fred Ojiambo, who often appears in high-profile criminal and civil suits, leads, and the team is reinforced by competition law specialist Peter Gachuhi, tax expert Nazima Malik, trade and industrial relations disputes expert Esther Kinyenje, and employment law authority Cosima Wetende. James Muthui and Peter Njeru support on intellectual property and procurement projects, respectively.

Praxisleiter:

Fred Ojiambo


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Peter Gachuhi; Esther Kinyenje; Cosima Wetende; James Muthui; Peter Njeru; Nazima Malik


Referenzen

‘The team is quite diverse and due to this they are able to appreciate more issues and bring to the table practical solutions to business problems. The team works together and are thus able to provide a quick turnaround on requests and there is always someone available to discuss issues with.’

‘Their level of integrity and honesty.’

‘The team has diverse experience and knowledge on different legal topics that speaks to how they represent you in litigation. They keep themselves abreast with trends that impact commercial organisations.’

Kernmandanten

KASNEB


Instalaciones Inabensa S.A


Absa Bank Limited (formerly Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited)


Total Energies Limited (formerly Total Kenya)


Rift Valley Highway Limited


Rubis Energy Kenya


Unilever Kenya Limited


AON Minet Kenya Limited


Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa Limited


East Africa Breweries Limited


Safaricom PLC


TNT Express Worldwide Kenya Ltd


CMA CGM Kenya Limited


Samsung Kenya


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for East African Development Bank (EADB) in multiple suits, the seminal of which arises from a facility agreement entered into between Dari Limited and EADB and guaranteed by the directors of Dari individually and collectively.
  • Acted for Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa Limited in opposing an appeal filed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) against a decision issued by the Tax Appeals Tribunal confirming that the marketing services provided by Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa Limited to Coca-Cola Export in the United States were exported services and therefore no value added tax (VAT) was chargeable.

Oraro & Company Advocates

Sitting comfortably at the apex of the dispute resolution space, Oraro & Company Advocates‘ large team of dedicated litigators service a full spectrum of clients in sectors including banking and financial services, manufacturing, construction, and energy. Construction disputes, insolvency and restructuring suits, tax disputes, and international arbitration are key pillars of work for the firm. Founding partner George Oraro is a seasoned expert in headline and landmark cases, and leads alongside Chacha Odera, who is well-established in the banking sphere. John Mbaluto is highly sought after in employment disputes, and Noella Lubano excels in fraud and asset tracing matters. Lilian Renee Omondi supports on tax litigation.

Praxisleiter:

George Oraro; Chacha Odera


Weitere Kernanwälte:

John Mbaluto; Noella Lubano; Lilian Renee Omondi; Anne Kadima


Referenzen

‘Oraro & Company Advocates go above and beyond for their clients. They are always available to provide prompt, accurate and commercially useful legal advice. They are also very honest about the probability of success of suits and have a very high success rate in litigation practice in Kenya.’

‘The team is very gender diverse and technologically capable. The majority of our meetings are done online.’

‘John Mbaluto has been invaluable. He has greatly assisted me in the management of litigation cases. His reports are always timely and accurate. They provide both practical and meaningful legal advice with regard to strategy for our cases.’

Kernmandanten

National Bank of Kenya


Maersk Kenya Limited


Kenya Power & Lighting Company Limited


Toyota Kenya Limited


Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation


The Honourable Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya


Kenya Ports Authority


Telkom Kenya Ltd


Kapiti Plains Estate Limited


KCB Bank Ltd


Meta Platforms, Inc.


SBM Bank (Kenya) Limited


Jubilee Insurance Company of Kenya Limited


CIC Insurance Group Limited


Kenya National Union of Teachers


Uber B.V and Uber Kenya Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented Carbacid Investments PLC (Carbacid) and Aksaya Investments LLP (Aksaya) in a takeover transaction which has been suspended and referred to the Capital Markets Tribunal (the Tribunal) as well as the Commercial Division of the High Court (the High Court).
  • Acted for Toyota Kenya Limited in a class-action product liability claim with respect to Toyota’s HINO FC 300 and HINO FC 500 motor vehicles.
  • Acted for Cerba HealthCare SAS (France), Lancet Service Company (PTY) Limited (South Africa) and Cerba Lancet Africa (South Africa) in a suit filed by the former Lancet CEO claiming shareholder and employment benefits.

Bowmans

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.

Praxisleiter:

Terry Mwango


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Cecil Kuyo; Effie Omondi; Alfred Deya; George Ndung’u; Agnes Akal


Kernmandanten

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


Highlight-Mandate


  • 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.

Munyao Muthama & Kashindi

Munyao Muthama & Kashindi continues to attract big domestic banks, energy, agriculture, food, and aviation regulators, and clients from different sectors requiring assistance with tax, restructuring, and insolvency litigation. Leadership is split between George Kashindi, who is well-versed in tax, regulatory, and insolvency litigation, Paul Munyao, who specialises in environmental law, and James Tugee, who has also been instrumental in constitutional and administrative lawsuits. Irene Kashindi is recommended for her procurement law expertise. Nancy Gitari, who was promoted to partner in July 2023, assists with real estate and banking matters.

Praxisleiter:

George Kashindi; Paul Munyao; James Tugee


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Irene Kashindi; Nancy Gitari


Referenzen

‘An honest, professional team. Interacts and explains the key issues to clients effectively and comes up with solutions.’

‘Paul Munyao is an exceptional lawyer who is readily accessible, has vast knowledge and has the ability to come up with solutions.’

‘Creative solutions to challenging legal questions. The firm is an authority in employment law and taxation.’

Kernmandanten

Kenya Tea Development Agency


Local Authorities Provident Fund (LAPFUND)


Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority


Export Processing Zones Authority


Kenya Ports Authority


Agriculture and Food Authority


Chai Trading Company Limited


Export Trading Group


Mumias Sugar/ KCB Bank Kenya Limited


KCB Bank Kenya Limited/Mumias


Highlight-Mandate


  • Represented a religious organisation in resisting a tax demand by the KRA of KSh2.3bn.
  • Represented LAP FUND in a suit filed in the Environmental and Land Court by a residents’ association challenging a high value project to construct 2356 housing units to accommodate 10,000 dwellers.
  • Acted for KCB Bank Kenya Limited in a number of insolvency matters in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

TripleOKlaw Advocates

Demonstrating sectoral expertise in energy, financial services, manufacturing, agriculture, and telecoms, TripleOKlaw Advocates‘s dispute resolution practice is well-versed in matters arising from procurement, IP, administrative and constitutional, and commercial and company law. Energy, environment, and natural resources specialist Elias Masika leads the team in conjunction with employment and procurement expert Marysheila Onyango-Oduor. James Ochieng’ Oduol is a heavyweight in constitutional appeals, and John Ohaga is also recommended for his arbitration work.

Praxisleiter:

Elias Masika; Marysheila Onyango-Oduor


Weitere Kernanwälte:

James Ochieng’ Oduol; John Ohaga,


Kernmandanten

Kenya Bankers Association


Safaricom PLC


Housing Finance Company of Kenya


Kenya Airways PLC


Integrated Payment System Limited


Masosa Construction Limited


SBM Bank (Kenya)


Indo Africa Finance Company Limited


Animix Limited


Edick Anyanga


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for the estate of the former President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Hon. Daniel Arap Moi in successfully opposing a claim of more than $10m before the Supreme Court on account of damages awarded to the petitioner for illegal detention without trial to expropriate his interest in three companies.
  • Represented the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the monetary authority of Kenya, before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) in a suit regarding an EAT Treaty violation resulting in a loss of $6.91m, successfully proving that CBK was not an institution of the Community and could not be sued before the Court.
  • Acted for Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) in a $7.4m suit where the claimant alleged that KBA had infringed copyright/intellectual property rights over the concept of inter-banking transactions by illegally operating PesaLink.

CMS Daly Inamdar Advocates

The dispute resolution offering at CMS Daly Inamdar Advocates is strongest in commercial, employment, maritime, and real estate litigation, representing a range of domestic players. Practice head Samir Inamdar is regularly retained by shipping companies, P&I Clubs, and other commercial enterprises on Kenyan law disputes, while George Muchiri is a top choice for arbitration. Grace Kinyanjui specialises in environmental law and debt recovery, Collette Akwana is well-versed in commercial, civil, and employment disputes, and Gibran Darr is strong in the land and construction arena.

Praxisleiter:

Samir Inamdar


Weitere Kernanwälte:

George Muchiri; Grace Kinyanjui; Collette Akwana; Gibran Darr; Victor Mungai


Referenzen

‘The firm is very professional and knowledgeable in a wide range of legal issues, the partners are hands on.’

‘The team is highly industrious and dedicated. They are also proactive and have a very good turnaround time. They do deliver.’

‘Collette Akwana is very studious, apt and responsive. A good communicator and very innovative in thought and providing solutions.’

Kernmandanten

Medical Protection Society


Japan P & I Club


Sybrin Kenya Limited


Jubilee Allianz General Insurance (K) Limited


Avmax Aircraft Leasing Inc


Weld-Con Limited


Oceanview Plaza Limited


Kensalt Limited


Safaricom Limited


Golden Sand Resort Apartments Owners’ Association


Ecobank Kenya Limited


Old Mutual Holdings Limited


Petro Oil Kenya Limited


Highlight-Mandate


G&A Advocates LLP

G&A Advocates LLP has carved out a niche in the public sector, where it predominantly represents state agencies in disputes related to administrative and constitutional law, including election petitions. The practice is led by Ken Melly, who is experienced in financial and competition litigation, and Moses Kipkogei, who specialises in human rights, constitutional, and construction disputes. Managing partner Eric Gumbo is frequently retained in litigation and arbitration matters in regulated industries.

Praxisleiter:

Ken Melly; Moses Kipkogei


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Eric Gumbo; Delbert Ochola


Kernmandanten

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission


Safaricom PLC


Office of the Data Protection Commissioner


National Irrigation Authority


NCBA Bank Kenya PLC


KCB Bank Limited


Lake Basin Development Authority


Export Processing Zones Authority


Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology


Pharmacy and Poisons Board


Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited


Ecobank Kenya Limited


National Bank of Kenya Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in nine Presidential Election Petitions challenging the conduct of Kenya’s August 2022 presidential election.
  • Acted for the National Irrigation Authority in a suit in which Sogea-Satom S.A.S, a contractor, sought payment of amounts awarded by a Dispute Board under the FIDIC Contracts for civil works done on the construction of Link Canal III and improvement of existing Link Canals I and II and other related works at the Mwea Irrigation Development Project in Kirinyaga County.
  • Represented the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) on a case challenging a determination of the Data Protection Commissioner.

MMAN Advocates

The litigation and ADR practice at MMAN Advocates has significant experience before all levels of the judicial and arbitral systems, advising clients both domestically and abroad in commercial and corporate, employment, insolvency, environment, land, and tax disputes. Jomo Nyaribo leads the team, with banking, construction, employment, environmental, and intellectual property litigation standing out from his otherwise broad experience.

Praxisleiter:

Jomo Nyaribo


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Angela Cherono; Vincent Oloo


Referenzen

‘It’s the team mix for me, they bring insights and guide us, the clients.’

‘Jomo Nyaribo is hands on and walks with the client through all processes of litigation.’

Kernmandanten

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission


PinoPine, Produtos Químicos, S.A.


Prism Construction Company Limited


Qiagen SA (PTY) Limited


Scatec Solar Netherlands B.V.


Shelter Afrique


Kenya Industrial Research and Development Staff Retirement & Group Life Assurance Scheme


Highlight-Mandate


  • Defended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in an election petition seeking to challenge the election results of a Member of National Assembly elective position.
  • Represented Prism Construction Company Limited in five separate international arbitrations under UNCITRAL Rules before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
  • Represented Rubis Energy in contentious proceedings filed by its former Group Chief Executive Officer claiming unlawful termination of employment and breach of contract.

MMC ASAFO

MMC ASAFO‘s client base is comprised of public institutions and state corporations seeking assistance with commercial disputes in banking and finance, telecoms, real estate, government regulation, and procurement. Central figures in the team include Peter Murage, whose expertise spans commercial, labour, and public procurement law, Daniel Musyoka, who is well-regarded in domestic and international arbitration, and Billy Kongere, whose litigation and arbitration experience guides the Mombasa dispute resolution offering.

Praxisleiter:

Peter Munge; Daniel Musyoka; Billy Kongere


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kenneth Wilson; Karen Muthee; Solomon Opole


Kernmandanten

Kwale International Sugar Company Limited


Kenya Ports Authority


Britam General Insurance Company (K) Limited


KCB Bank Kenya Limited


Saracen Media Limited


Carii Motors Limited


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for a mixed-use real estate developer against a construction company in an arbitration before the ICC International Court of Arbitration in a dispute worth KSh6.8m.
  • Acted for KCB Bank Limited and KCB Bank Group in an employment dispute resulting in the dismissal of the claim, the suit establishing who an employee’s employer is upon transfer, since the Employment Act does not define what employment transfer entails.
  • Acted for Kwale International Sugar Company Limited (KISCOL) in a suit seeking compensation following the Government of Kenya’s failure to protect and promote investment by international investors and for breaching the Government’s obligation to provide a conducive environment for international investments.