Mike joined the firm in 1992, first cutting his teeth in the conveyancing and retail finance segments of the practice. Lauded for his grasp of business practicalities, he now works across a broad range of sectors for private, local and international clients who value his on-the-point, no frills legal advice.  Asked to identify his “Top 5” transactions, whether by reason of interest or complexity, Mike picks out:

• Acting for IFC in its acquisition of a minority interest in Equity Group Holdings Limited,  a banking and financial services group listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange with banking operations and subsidiaries in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and the DRC. The transaction was particularly involving owing to the varied sector-specific regulatory and antitrust approvals required to close the transaction, as too putting the deal the requisite private transfer mechanisms applicable to listed entities in Kenya.  

• Acting for The Standard Bank Group in the financing of a road to be constructed under Kenya’s Road Annuity Programme and midwifed by Kenya’s Public Private Partnership Directorate. Particularly involving work related to the negotiation of bankable direct agreements with the contracting authority and a letter of support with the Government of Kenya.

• Acting for the lenders in the financing of the Lake Turkana Wind Power project. With an installed capacity of 300MW, LTWP is presently one of the largest producers of green energy in Africa. Being the first of its kind in Kenya, advisors had to navigate around numerous unique complexities, including land rights, offtake guarantees and other commitments necessary to safeguard the bankability of the project.

• Acting for I&M Bank Limited in its various cross-border acquisitions of banks in Tanzania and Rwanda. The firm, led by Mike, represented the client in all aspects of the acquisitions, from detailed due diligence, the negotiation of sale and purchase agreements, regulatory approvals and closing.

• Acting for a flower grower from the Netherlands in its acquisition of two flower farms in Kenya. The firm, led by Mike, was required to navigate around the complexities of acquiring the agri-businesses - and related land rights - by a non-Kenya entity. Added to these, agri-business, with its capacity to create significant employment and earnings for Kenya, is a sector for which Mike has a particular passion.

Mike is a frequent speaker and presenter at Loan Market Association conferences and is singled out as a leading practitioner by ranking publications Chambers, IFLR 1000 and Legal 500.