Group legal manager | Siginon Group
Evalyne Atieno Odongo
Group legal manager | Siginon Group
Legal Team Size: Three
What are the most significant cases and transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?
We led the company and its subsidiaries in the implementation of a Data Protection Compliance Framework in line with the Kenya Data Protection Act 2019 and supported the implementation of ISO27001:2022 (ongoing, pending ISO 27001 certification). With the assistance of external counsel, we challenged the monopoly of wo container freight operators at the Port of Mombasa (Case on-going at the Court of Appeal) and supported the business in mergers and acquisitions. We also play the key role in advising the business in forging partnerships in Uganda and Tanzania.
Which recent political, economic or regulatory changes have impacted your work the most in recent years?
The enactment of the Data Protection Act reinforced our commitment to privacy and data protection, an ongoing project. We have had to train, learn, re-learn and unlearn ways of working to meet the best standards in data privacy and protection.
The Digital Integration of Government Services has also significantly impacted our operations. In many ways, the processes of licensing has become more efficient and transparent. We hope to see it cascaded to all sectors of compliance to ensure improved service delivery. Data integration, despite having some negative implications, also has the potential of spurring more growth if the statics are properly employed to identify and incentivise areas of development.
Evalyne Odongo is currently the group legal manager for Siginon Group. In this role, she is responsible for providing legal advice and managing various legal affairs of the company. Having worked in diverse regulatory conditions, she has developed proficiency in identifying, evaluating and mitigating risks as a business advisor to senior management. She has a proven track record within the compliance and legal functions in the microlending and finance sector, public service, FMCG, digital, e-commerce and logistics industries. She has over ten years’ experience in the legal and corporate arena. During this career, she has built a reputation for operational excellence, innovative strategic thinking, working with the highest level of integrity, and a deep and passionate commitment to clients. She has previously served on the boards of the Mombasa Law Society, Anglican Church of Kenya Parish Council (Diocese of Mombasa, Nyali Parish), the Soroptimist International Club of Kakamega and Soroptimist International Union of Kenya. At the Mombasa Law Society, she has served as the Convenor of the Inns of Court/ CPD and Mentorship Committee. She has, in those positions, been instrumental in policy formulation, strategy setting and supervision of strategy implementation. During the Covid-19 period, she has been key in introducing digital methods of meeting and learning to members of the Mombasa Bar that prepared them to cope and navigate virtual court sessions. Evalyne holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Moi University, and a post graduate certificate from the Kenya School of Law. She is a Certified Secretary and a Certified Mediator (MTI). She is enrolled for the Master of Laws (LL.M) Degree at the University of Nairobi in Mombasa. She is an innovative problem solver, analytical, creative, loyal and an enthusiastic transformational leader. Evalyne is a life member of the Kenya Red Cross Society and participated and facilitated numerous peer education forums. She is passionate about governance, compliance, integrity and human rights. She was an active community civic educator during her time as CEO of Lawquery . She led a digital and a grassroots outreach to educate local communities on the Coast in particular on issues of child protection, business skills, corporate governance and voter awareness in the wake of the 2018 Presidential general elections in Kenya. Evalyne has attended various training courses in corporate governance, leadership, conflict resolution, business and professional development. She remains an active member of the law society of Kenya and the Institute of Certified Secretaries. She is fluent in English and Kiswahili. She resides in Mombasa with her husband and two children.