Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Privatisation and projects in Kenya

Anjarwalla & Khanna

Anjarwalla & Khanna is extensively involved in many of the largest and most important projects in Kenya, acting on behalf of sponsors, whether traditional infrastructure funds or other structures, and developers, contractors, and funders. The team services the full life cycle of projects, from acquisition and development, to financing and construction, to completion and operation. Practice head Amyn Mussa is a stalwart in this area and is regularly retained in significant energy, infrastructure, large-scale real estate development, and natural resources projects, while Ian Gaitta excels in the PPP space. Sanelisiwe Mpofana moved to an in-house role in April 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Amyn Mussa


Autres avocats clés:

Ian Gaitta


Les références

‘The firm has a strong relationship with Kenyan governmental stakeholders in the energy sector and this forms a concrete foundation in collaborating with these stakeholders in a robust manner, thus accelerating satisfaction of governmental obligations under respective contracts where governmental entities are a party.’

‘Amyn Mussa has hands-on experience in negotiating project and financing agreements in an efficient manner. He also understands the governmental and political terrain and he can leverage these relationships to fast-track delivery of government undertakings in projects.’

Principaux clients

Moderna


EH Venture Capital Rwanda


Quantum Power East Africa and Globeleq Group


Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU)


Vestas Eastern Africa


The Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation (Finnfund)


Cold Solutions


African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM)


Frontier Energy


Impact North (Actis Africa Real Estate & Improvon Group)


Mi Vida Thika Road


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Moderna, an American pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, in connection with setting up the first mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Africa.
  • Acted for Quantum Power East Africa and Globeleq Group in connection with the development, design, procurement, construction, installation, commissioning, ownership and operation of a 35MW geothermal power generation plant at Olkaria geothermal fields, through QPEA GT Menegai, a special-purpose vehicle set up for the development project.
  • Acted for IFU, Vestas Eastern Africa and the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation (Finnfund), shareholders of Lake Turkana Wind Power, a large wind farm project in Africa, in connection with the transfer of their shares into the Climate Finance Partnership, a fund managed by the BlackRock Group.

Bowmans

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Aleem Tharani


Autres avocats clés:

Edwin Baru; Matthew Arrumm


Les références

‘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.’

Principaux 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


Principaux dossiers


  • 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.

Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews

Leveraging a broad network of key sector contacts, Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews routinely assists government departments, non-governmental organisations, and private sector sponsors and developers. The practice complements its hefty reputation in large-scale, high-profile PPPs with a strategic focus on energy and infrastructure projects. Practice head Andrew Mugambi works closely with the Kenyan PPP Directorate on nationally significant projects and concessions, and is supported by Peter Okaalet Jr., who has an excellent reputation in both traditional and renewable energy projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Mugambi


Autres avocats clés:

Peter Okaalet Jr.; Ralia Mohamud


Principaux clients

Directorate of Public Private Partnerships


Kenya Defence Forces


China Road and Bridge Corporation


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Defence and the Directorate of Public Private Partnership, on a project for the design, development, building and financing of residential accommodation and other associated support facilities for the Kenya Defence Forces across multiple locations in Kenya.
  • Advised China Road and Bridge Corporation on a public-private partnership project in Kenya aimed at resolving the long-standing water scarcity issue, involving the construction of a water dam on the Ndarugu River in Kiambu county, near Nairobi.

Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates

The experienced team at Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates enjoys the repeat custom of government entities, state corporations, and private developers in key sectors such as health, education, affordable housing, waste management, energy, and construction. End-of-life and renewable energy projects, public procurement, project financing, and social infrastructure development fall within the practice’s purview. Practice head Beatrice Nyabira has a significant aptitude in energy and infrastructure projects, while James Kamau has built a stellar reputation across the board.

Responsables de la pratique:

Beatrice Nyabira


Autres avocats clés:

James Kamau; Cynthia Olotch; Judy Muigai; Angela Wanjiku


Les références

‘The teamwork is well coordinated.’

‘The team are keen to understand the client’s needs and structure solutions accordingly.’

‘They engage beyond the immediate scope of work and are in that sense counsellors.’

Principaux clients

Sanergy


Kenya Electricity Transmission Company


Intelligent Medical Objects


Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen)


EPCO Builders


African Legal Support Facility


Federal Government of Somalia


Botswana Oil Limited


African Development Bank


Serengeti Energy


United States International Development Finance Corporation


The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Ltd


Stanbic Bank Kenya Ltd


British International Investment (formerly CDC Group Plc)


Malthe Winje Infrapower AS


Kenya Breweries Limited


Rareh Icon Solar Limited


Proparco


Unilever Kenya Limited


KTDA Power Company Limited


Standard Bank of South Africa Ltd


Japan Bank of International Cooperation


Government of Kenya


NGM Company Ltd


Selenkei Investments Limited and Cedate Limited


FedEx Express Kenya Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Government of Kenya, through the National Treasury, on a PPP for the development of a 2,000-bed national referral hospital known as the Pwani University Teaching and Referral Hospital (“PUTRH”) in Kenya.
  • Acted for Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KENGEN) in its proposed acquisition of the Kipevu II Power Plant from Tsavo Power Company Limited (TPC), an end-of-life project that has been fully amortised.
  • Advised Sanergy Limited on the set up in one of the counties of an organic waste management plant with the capacity to produce organic fertilizer, animal feeds and briquettes, which is expected to form a prototype to be scaled up and rolled out across the country.

ENSafrica

Project finance transactions are at the heart of ENSafrica‘s projects and energy practice, which routinely assists banks, fund managers, and energy companies with multi-jurisdictional wind and solar power projects. Practice head Nigel Shaw focuses on the real estate aspects of projects, while Binti Shah advises on procurement and financing. Nkatha Omondi takes the lead on queries specific to the energy sector.

Responsables de la pratique:

Nigel Shaw


Autres avocats clés:

Binti Shah; Nkatha Omondi


Les références

‘Binti Shah is fantastic. Very responsive. She provides excellent advice in Kenya as well as acting as an introducer to her colleagues and contacts in many other jurisdictions.’

Principaux clients

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC)


EDFI Management Company SA


Nedbank Limited


Proparco


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) with a comprehensive review and analysis of the terms of all Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) entered into by KPLC and with developing a suitable strategy for engagement with all Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
  • Assisted EDFI Management Company SA (EDFI MC) with a loan in the form of a senior secured credit facility to REDAVIA Global Asset SARL, a Luxembourg entity owned by REDAVIA GmbH, in relation to the funding of a lease of solar assets.

Kaplan & Stratton Advocates

Proving most valuable to private sponsors and lenders with a growing focus on PPP projects, Kaplan & Stratton Advocates is involved in many large-scale infrastructure projects in the energy and transport sectors. Ken Kamaitha, who advises on many significant road and mining projects, heads the practice, with Sam Wainaina lending the weight of his energy sector experience to power projects and financing.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ken Kamaitha


Autres avocats clés:

Sam Wainaina; Nyakio Manga


Principaux clients

Vinci SA


Meridiam SAS


PowerChina Group


Sinohydro Corporation


Alten Energías Renovables


Elicio N.V


European Investment Bank (EIB)


Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (FMO)


Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG)


Agence Française de Développement (AFD)


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


The Export-Import Bank of China


Stanbic Bank


Societe De Promotion et de Participation Pour la Cooperation Economique (“Proparco”);


Principaux dossiers


MMC ASAFO

Stakeholders in the burgeoning PPP sector, including government entities and multinational corporations, rely on MMC ASAFO for advice on infrastructure developments, procurements, acquisitions, and privatisation projects. Managing partner Esther Njiru-Omulele has extensive experience in project development, structuring and financing, while the Mombasa-based Isaiah Mungai Kamau is a key resource in project finance transactions. Jessica Mwenje assists with the structuring and real estate components of projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

Esther Omulele; Isaiah Mungai Kamau; Jessica Mwenje


Autres avocats clés:

Henry Omukubi; Maxwell Mafubo; Sylvia Kimani


Principaux clients

UK Export Finance (UKEF) (as part of the KPMG East Africa Consortium)


Kenya Railways Corporation


KPMG East Africa


Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Unit, National Treasury, Government of Kenya


Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia


Ethiopian Investments Holdings


Bamburi Cement Limited


Kenya Wines Agencies Limited (KWAL)


New Makongeni Development LLP


Urban Housing Development Renewal LLP


Tatu City Limited


Terraformation


Tilisi Developments PLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Kenya Railways Corporation in the financing, structuring and development of the Nairobi Railway City Project.
  • Advised the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in the privatisation of eight state-owned enterprises operating in the sugar industry in Ethiopia.
  • Advised the PPP Unit situated in the National Treasury, Government of Kenya in a road tolling project to be rolled out throughout Kenya under a PPP project.

Walker Kontos Advocates

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Kontos; Peter Mwangi; Deepen Shah


Autres avocats clés:

Diana Situma; Wassim Mohamedali


Les références

‘An all round strong team of advocates. This is an area in which they excel.’

‘Deepen Shah has been very reactive and practical.’

Principaux 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


Principaux dossiers


  • 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.

KO Associates

Geared strategically towards large transportation and infrastructure projects, KO Associates‘ projects team is well-versed in providing legal advisory services to a range of stakeholders including government entities, banks and financial institutions, and public and private developers. Founding partner Crispine Odhiambo is valued for his transportation and energy sector expertise, and leads the team alongside Ken Rutere, who, having joined the firm from Igeria & Ngugi Advocates in November 2022, has already made a mark in the PPP arena. Abigail Namasaka supports on project structuring.

Responsables de la pratique:

Crispine Odhiambo; Ken Rutere


Autres avocats clés:

Stacy Waweru; Abigail Namasaka


Les références

‘I have had the privilege of working with KO Associates for more than one year, and I must say that their team’s strengths and key capabilities are truly commendable. This law firm consistently delivers exceptional legal services with a commitment to excellence that sets them apart in the legal industry.’

‘Ken Rutere and Abigail Namakasa and the team at KO Associates have consistently demonstrated qualities that make them stand out in the legal industry. Their exceptional legal expertise, client dedication, clear communication, and commitment to staying ahead of the curve are just a few of the reasons I hold them in high regard.’

‘It was a pleasure to work in collaboration with KO. Their knowledge of the subject was impressive and helped us satisfy the client and meet the tight deadlines. As a woman, I liked working with KO’s female experts who were diligent, available, and knowledgeable.’

Principaux clients

Castalia Limited


Private Infrastructure Development Group


Nairobi City County Government


Maritime & Transport Business Solutions


Kenya Ports Authority


Kilifi Port Development Limited (KPDL)


Oserian Two Lakes Industrial Park (OTL IP)


National Bank PLC


Safaricom PLC


Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA)


Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KENGEN)


The PPP Directorate


The World Bank


Kisii Municipality


Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED)/Tetratech/ UK FCDO Programe


Farmdo Energy Kenya Limited


Vantage Point Ventures Limited


Ahadi Konnect Affordable Broadband Network


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Nairobi City County Government on the implementation of the proposed Smart Street Lighting Project.
  • Advised the Kenya Ports Authority in the transaction preparation of six transport and logistics assets, being the Mombasa and Lamu Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Lamu Port (Berths 1-3), Mombasa Port (Berth 11-14), Kisumu Port/cold Chain and Logistics Park and Naivasha Cold Chain Logistics Park, to be implemented under a PPP arrangement.
  • Advised Safaricom PLC on the development of a Kenya National Smart Grid Network deploying AI platform and advanced data analytics under a PPP arrangement at a cost of $350m.

Oraro & Company Advocates

Particularly active in the growing natural resources and mining sectors, Oraro & Company Advocates advises clients from both the domestic and global markets on project structuring, financing, contract negotiation and public procurement. Founding partner George Oraro leads the team and is frequently retained on large-scale infrastructure projects and PPPs, while managing partner Pamella Ager showcases her expertise in project development transactions. Jacob Ochieng assists with complex infrastructure ventures, and Cindy Oraro focuses her practice on energy and infrastructure projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

George Oraro


Autres avocats clés:

Pamella Ager; Jacob Ochieng; Cindy Oraro


Les références

‘Great team – they did an excellent job in helping us structure complex legal arrangements involving private sector stakeholders and the county government in Kenya.’

‘The team demonstrated good knowledge of legal projects structuring and good creativity which was very critical in building buy-in with key political stakeholders.’

Principaux clients

Tata Chemicals Magadi Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Negotiated with regulators and advised on the impact of Kenya’s overhauled mining law regime on the validity of mining leases.