Commercial, corporate and M&A

Bowmans

Praised by clients for its ‘patience, competence, and diligence’, the corporate, commercial, and M&A department at Bowmans is frequently retained by key regional clients and multinationals in highly valuable mandates, including financing, corporate governance, capital markets, share and asset sales, restructurings, and other services. The team utilises significant expertise in cross-border matters, advising clients in domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions in the agriculture, finance, manufacturing, investment, and technology industries. Rainbow Field and Joyce Karanja co-head the team, and are both sought after by clients for their extensive expertise in M&A, capital markets, competition, and other areas. Paras Shah is significantly experienced in corporate M&As, while Richard Harney is often retained in financing and structuring matters. Philip Coulson and Joyce Mbui are both notable for their corporate and commercial experience. Vruti Shah, Kendall Evans, Wathingira Gituro, and Christina Nduba-Banja are also key members of the team, and are frequently seen in transactional matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team, led by Christina Nduba-Banja, delivered outstanding performance.'
'Their collective skills and expertise worked seamlessly together, enabling them to effectively handle our queries and concerns throughout the transaction.'
'They consistently demonstrated patience, competence, and diligence, simplifying complex issues and anticipating our needs. Their advice was both comprehensive and precisely tailored to our specific situation and the transaction at hand.'
‘Christina Nduba-Banja is an exceptional lawyer and individual. Despite being a partner, she remained approachable and accessible, consistently addressing every detail, concern, and issue in the M&A transaction with thoroughness and efficiency.'
'Christina Nduba-Banja's extensive experience in M&A was clear in how she represented us and effectively led her team. Even amid frustrating delays, Christina maintained her composure, which had a reassuring and calming effect on both her clients and her team.'
'Christina Nduba-Banja was forthright about areas outside her expertise, involving other firm members to address specific issues, which further reinforced our confidence in both her and the firm’s overall competence.'
‘Are very supportive and available to readily support in client projects.’
‘Creative solutions provided by Wathingira Gituro. Paras Shah is readily available to provide client support and pushes as quickly as possible to close on transactions.’

Key clients

James Finlay Limited
Lipton Teas and Infusions B.V.
Holcim Group Services Ltd
Hollard International (Pty) Limited
British International Investment PLC
Vantage Capital
E3 Capital Management
Enterprise Projects Ventures Limited
Progression Eastern Africa Microfinance Equity Fund
BigCold Africa Holdings LLC
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Nigeria Ltd
Africa Poultry Development Limited

Work highlights

Acted for Lipton Teas an Infusions B.V., a leading player in the global tea industry, in the sale of its tea businesses in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania by way of a sale of shares to B Commodities ME, a subsidiary of Browns Investments Plc, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Advised James Finlay Limited on the sale of 85% of the shareholding of James Finlay (Kenya) Limited to B Commodities ME, a subsidiary of Browns Investments Plc, together with the carve-out of a certain business and assets of James Finlay (Kenya) Limited, and the sale of 15% of James Finlay (Kenya) Limited to Kipsigis Highlands Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
Acted for Kenya’s largest bank by assets, KCB Group Plc, in respect of its sale of 100% of the issued share capital of National Bank of Kenya Limited, to Nigerian banking conglomerate, Access Bank Plc.

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