Corporate/M&A
Global Guide 2024 : Kenya
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+254 20 289 9000About
Provided by Bowmans
We have a strong record of acting on the most significant corporate and M&A transactions across the African continent. Our size and geographic spread combined with our breadth of skills, experience and good relationships with regulators enables us to handle large and time-critical transactions.
Our services include public acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, unbundlings and other investments and divestitures including public M&A (both contested and uncontested), and private M&As. We also have considerable expertise in the fields of privatisation and public-to- private transactions and have advised shareholders in becoming more active in the management of their companies. In South Africa, we have been involved in the structuring and implementation of complex black economic empowerment transactions.
We represent participants in transactions in virtually all capacities – purchasers, sellers, financiers, financial advisers, directors and shareholders. In most cases we project manage the entire transaction which includes conducting a legal due diligence investigation, providing strategic advice, negotiating terms, drafting documentation and assisting with the implementation of the transaction from a legal point of view.
We have also served as local counsel for a range of international financial institutions and corporates, as well as international law firms and merchant banks.
Chambers Review
Bowmans' distinguished Kenyan corporate group has an enviable track record in sophisticated cross-border transactions, as well as corporate restructurings. The Nairobi-based team is also well regarded for its ability to advise on competition and tax mandates. Its lawyers are often instructed on significant private equity investments. The firm is a popular choice among investment companies, as well as significant corporations from the agriculture and energy industries.
Work Highlights
- Bowmans advised Diageo on its public tender offer to acquire a portion of shares in East African Breweries.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Bowmans are committed to providing the best to their clients. The team put in the necessary resources, time and focus. They are very prompt to react and to attend to queries or concerns."
"The lawyers are very proactive in providing solutions and appropriate drafting in relation to complex issues."
"The team held our hand throughout the process and gave stellar advice throughout the transaction."
"The firm is able to guide us on complex matters."
"Bowmans are committed to providing the best to their clients. The team put in the necessary resources, time and focus. They are very prompt to react and to attend to queries or concerns."
"The lawyers are very proactive in providing solutions and appropriate drafting in relation to complex issues."
"The team held our hand throughout the process and gave stellar advice throughout the transaction."
"The firm is able to guide us on complex matters."
Notable Practitioners
Philip Coulson remains a highly esteemed lawyer with notable experience assisting a range of domestic and international clients with corporate and commercial matters.
"Philip is great with clients and great with work. He understands how to unlock a problem."
"He is very commercially astute, pragmatic and useful in getting around obstacles in a transaction."
Paras Shah is highly regarded for his multifaceted practice and his superb track record advising on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. He is regularly sought out by a number of prominent names in the financial services industry, as well as investment funds.
"Paras Shah handles transactions expertly, so that the client is on a seamless and confident journey. Paras has a strong focus on ensuring the clients' satisfaction and on building long-term relationships with them."
Richard Harney continues to be regarded as a household name in the field of Kenyan corporate law, with considerable experience leading major M&A mandates, including public tender offers. He is also noted for his significant understanding of capital markets.
"He is innovative in coming up with solutions for clients."
Wathingira Gituro takes on key roles on a number of local and cross-border investments and acquisitions, especially in the finance and fintech industries.
"Wathingira Gituro is able to handle and deliver great work, even under maximum pressure. He goes the extra mile to ensure that the required results are achieved to the client's satisfaction. He is calm and focused in all circumstances."
"He is hard-working and business-oriented."
Joyce Karanja is widely recognised as one of Kenya's foremost experts in competition law. She offers notable experience in complex, multi-jurisdictional merger clearance filings, often acting on behalf of private equity companies.
"Joyce Karanja is an expert in her field and often advises us on multi-jurisdictional transactions. She is readily available to address issues and queries from clients, even at short notice. She provides clear guidance with a practical approach."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans
Kenya