Kieti Advocates is the Nairobi office of South African law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. The firm is led by managing partner Sammy Ndolo and has one office in Nairobi.
The firm is active in financial and corporate work.
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (Kenya) is currently advising the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Cassa depositi e prestiti (CDP), the Italian financial services provider, on a US$210 million senior term loan facility to Eni Kenya. The team’s advisory incudes reviewing the English-law governed common term loan agreement and individual senior loan agreements; reviewing and advising on the English-law governed deed of novation; conducting regulatory analysis on licensing and environmental permit requirements; and delivering Kenyan law legal opinions. The team is led by partners Sammy Ndolo and Brian Muchiri and advisory is currently ongoing.
The firm also represented BasiGo, Kenya's first electric bus company. The M&A team, led by partner Martha Mbugua provided local law support in relation to the client’s US$24 million Series A equity round. This included the review of the Delaware governed transaction documents, due diligence support, assistance with disclosures against warrants, and competition advice. The transaction closed in October 2024.
Partner Stella Situma joined the Banking & Finance team from CMS Daly Inamdar Advocates in April 2024. Partner Alex Muchira joined the Corporate M&A from CMS Daly Inamdar Advocates.
ESG First Fund Holding I; BasiGo Limited; Absa Bank; International Finance Corporation (IFC); Cassa depositi e prestiti (CDP); Kuramo Capital Management; Axian Group; PPC International Holdings; Metal Cans & Closures Kenya (now Meraki Packaging Kenya); Serengeti
“Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr provided clear, practical advice and demonstrated a solid understanding of the local legal framework. The team was responsive and easy to work with, which helped ensure the process ran smoothly.” (Banking & Finance)
“They are responsive. They are well informed and knowledgeable in the subject.
They kept to the timelines requested.” (Banking & Finance)
“The firm is very commercially astute, sound and technically capable. It has a very able and easy-to-work with team. They are very flexible and willing to go and above to meet client's needs.” (M&A)
“CDH are a very cohesive team and are not a one man show. This is crucial in getting deals across the line in that there is always someone competent and knowledgeable to push the legal workstream on their end.” (M&A)
“The firm is very plugged into the local network in Kenya and are a great connector of professionals and clients. This ability allows there to be good synergies across both Sell and Buy Side that give a deal the best chances of closing.” (M&A)
“CDH are very knowledgeable about the M&A space in East Africa and the trainings with them helped build our finance advisory understanding of the key value add the legal framework adds to a deal. With that training our team is now able to speak confidently with our clients as to what to consider when undergoing a transaction process.” (M&A)
“CDH understand their professional undertaking and put their client and their interests first regardless of who is sitting across the table. There is no risk of shortcuts being taken to get a deal closed when CDH is representing you.” (M&A)
“They are easy to deal with, knowledgeable and advised us properly on risk.” (M&A)
“The firm provides regular updates on the registration process through emails and a monthly trademark journal.” (Restructuring)
“Their advice was practical, and they had in-depth knowledge of the insolvency laws.” (Insolvency)
“Brian Muchiri is highly responsive and provides clear, practical advice. He demonstrates strong knowledge of local law and is proactive in identifying potential issues and proposing workable solutions. His ability to communicate complex points in a straightforward manner makes collaboration efficient and effective.” (Banking & Finance)
“Brian Muchiri has great knowledge on insolvency and financial security matters.” (Insolvency)
“Sammy Ndolo has a good grasp of the law and manages the team well.” (Banking & Finance)
“Sammy Ndolo is very technically capable, very approachable and commercially astute.” (M&A)
“Sammy Ndolo is very Responsive and has deep knowledge.” (Insolvency)
“Njeri Wagacha is very knowledgably around not only M&A law but also what businesses need to consider before engaging in a transaction process. Whether that be securing intellectual property, separating entities through restructuring, or vetting documentation to ensure validity and reduce due diligence risk Njeri represents her clients among the best in the region.” (M&A)
“Njeri Wagacha is very sensible and knowledgeable.” (M&A)
“Shem Otanga brings deep knowledge and experience in Intellectual Property and Data Protection. He has guided us through several trademark registrations and has been an invaluable resource for data protection guidance whenever we've required his expertise.” (Restructuring)
