FIRM PROFILE

Gedi & Associates Advocates is a full-service business law firm that represents regional and national clients as advisors and advocates in Kenya and neighbouring states. Since 2014, the advocates at Gedi and Associates Advocates have been providing trusted legal and strategic advice to Governments, companies and individuals in helping them to achieve their business objectives.
We know that to be exceptional business lawyers, we have to understand the business from the inside out. With experience as former business owners, executives and inhouse counsel, our attorneys know what it means to run a business and are deliberately selected for their respective areas of expertise.
Our team draws on broad experience to deliver optimal solutions to our clients’ business objectives in every situation. We believe that excellent legal guidance requires a proactive, dedicated and responsive approach, with a focus on client communication and accessibility by all members of our legal team
Our vision is to be the elite boutique business law firm in Africa. We endeavour to build our Firm’s reputation by satisfying each of our clients’ needs – one client, and one successful outcome, at a time. We will continue to expand the depth of our practice groups, as well as add new groups, to provide clients with a broad range of quality services. We will grow our legal team by selectively adding attorneys who can bring a new and diverse approach to client satisfaction. We will grow our support team by adding dedicated, personable and skilled professionals who can enhance our Firm. Gedi and Associates Advocates will be recognized as the Firm with which businesses desire to associate because our consistent, proficient team delivers an exceptional experience in legal services.
The mission of Gedi and Associates Advocates is to help clients achieve their goals by providing high quality, ethically sound legal counsel and strategic advice. We work with clients to understand their objectives, resolve current issues and proactively anticipate and prevent future problems. We are committed to delivering efficient and cost-effective legal services with a focus on communication, responsiveness, and attention to detail.
We value INTEGRITY in all aspects of our work and our lives and are dedicated to maintaining the highest moral standards in our decisions, actions and communications.
We value INNOVATION and continually challenge ourselves to learn and grow. We welcome ideas and pursue changes that will enhance our Firm and the service we provide to our clients.
We value TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION and believe the synergy of our combined individual contributions will elevate the success we achieve for our clients and our Firm.
We value COMMUNICATION and understand it is of paramount importance to our success as a Firm. We are committed to timely, responsive, honest and respectful communication with our clients and with each other.
We value RESPONSIBILITY to our clients by managing budgets, reducing extraneous costs, adding value and meeting their needs completely. We value RESPONSIBILITY to each other to reduce unnecessary costs, work expeditiously and productively, and at all times uphold the image of the Firm.
We value the PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE and believe that in striving for excellence we will not only find success as a Firm but fulfilment as individuals.
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Our core values guide how we interact with our clients and each other. They are the standard to which we are accountable in all situations.
The firm’s focus lies in corporate and commercial law in Kenya and the region with particular emphasis in banking and securitization, project and corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and conveyancing and property law. In addition, the firm has built up a substantial practice in commercial litigation as well as corporate and debt recovery. We aim to provide a wide and comprehensive range of legal services allowing our clients to consider us to be an integral part of their businesses.
The firm has built up a skilled team of lawyers, paralegal staff capable of undertaking a wide variety of legal work. The partners and associates of the firm have a varied educational background and our exposure to and qualifications in various jurisdictions help us to better understand our clients’ aims, both locally and from an international perspective, and to find solutions to their needs.
The Firm is fully computerized and equipped with modern communication facilities and a substantial library containing publications relating to local legal practice, legal precedents as well as material from foreign common law jurisdictions. We engage a full-time librarian to manage and update the library and keep the firms’ lawyers fully informed and updated on all local legal developments. Additionally, we have Chief Accountant (a CPA) and, IT support staff, secretarial staff, experienced court, conveyancing, registry clerks and other office staff.
Continuing education further enables us to import new views and ideas into our practise to meet the changing demands of our clients in a growing, globalised and liberal economy. To achieve this goal, we keep a keen eye on developments in our practice areas in other jurisdictions, particularly in the Commonwealth.
The firm has built up a skilled team of lawyers, paralegal staff capable of undertaking a wide variety of legal work.
In line with the Advocates (Professional Indemnity) Regulations, 2004 and our commitment to ensure our clients’ needs are well secured, our firm has currently taken out a professional indemnity insurance cover on a net aggregate claim basis as well as on every claim basis. No claim has been made against any of our practitioners; notwithstanding, we endeavour to regularly review our practice standard and risk management policies so that our clients are always covered.
Our clients include the largest retail and commercial banks in the region, development finance institutions, insurance companies, government, telephone operators in Kenya, commodity traders, multinationals, manufacturers, farmers, property developers, foreign Embassies, Missions and NGO’S. Important to us also are our private clients who have been an integral part of the growth of our firm.
We engage in all key aspects of civil law practice including all areas of corporate and commercial work, property and related litigation and arbitration. Partners have well-established reputations for advice in the fields of Corporate and Commercial Law, Investment and Banking and Property law.
Below are the industries we serve;
1. Banks, development and structured finance institutions
2. Insurance companies
3. Property owners and developers
4. Industrial companies involved in the manufacturing sector, chemicals and mining
5. Plantation owners and managers in the coffee, tea, horticultural and ranching sectors
6. Governmental, parastatal and donor agencies including N.G.O’s, charitable trusts and similar foundations
7. Companies in the oil, mining, power, telecommunications, road and aviation transport sectors
8. Private persons requiring legal advice or assistance on properties, commercial or estate matters.
Key among them being:
+ Kenya Revenue Authority
+ Kenya Rural Roads Authority
+ Kenya Post Office Savings Bank
+ Postal Corporation of Kenya
+ Postal Corporation of Kenya Staff Pension Scheme
+ Kenya Medical Research Institute
+ Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited
+ Dubai Islamic Bank
+ Development Bank of Kenya Limited
+ Ministry of Information and Communications
+ Kenya Post Office Staff Provident Fund
+ Kenya Airports Authority
+ Liquidator-Bank of Credit of Commerce PLC
+ Madison Insurance Company Kenya Limited
+ Meru South Farmers Co-operative Union
+ Meru North Co-operative Union
+ Chai Savings and Credit Co-operative Society Ltd
+ APA Insurance Limited
+ CIC Insurance Group PLC
+ County Government of Wajir
+ County Government of Taita Taveta
+ County Government of Kwale
+ Hasil Construction Company Limited
We act as corporate advisers to a large number of businesses and corporations, both Kenyan and international. In this capacity, we are called upon to advise on a wide range of matters, which affect our clients’ day-to-day business. These areas varied as incorporation and start-up, corporate and management structures and shareholding, employment law, licensing and regulatory, financing issues, environmental compliance matters and sales and acquisition.
Our clients represent a broad spectrum of business and industry. They include banks, financial institutions, insurance companies and brokers, hoteliers, venture capitalists, communications providers, mobile telephone operators, horticultural farms, airlines, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers and oil companies.
As counsel to several commercial banks in Kenya, we advise on various aspects relating to their day-to-day activities. This requires us not only to be up-to-date with banking legislation and prudential regulations but also to be pro-active in a dynamic and evolving sector. We have also advised the sector, through its representative association, on various matters.
In addition to acting for a number of our commercial client banks in their various lending activities - in which capacity we prepare all relevant loan and security documentation - we have acted in various corporate and project finance transactions and syndications. We have acted for development finance institutions in several project finance deals in Kenya where, in addition to preparing and negotiating loan and security documentation, we have been required to harmonise securities to take into account multi-jurisdictional conflicts.
Our work for banks, financial institutions and mortgage finance companies has extended to the preparation of standard/template in-house documents ranging from account-opening forms to facility letters. Lenders have also required us to tailor standard documents to specific housing schemes and other residential and commercial developments.
A vibrant capital markets sector and a well-run regulator have seen some Kenyan companies turn to capital markets as an alternative source of capital. Our wide corporate client base has called on us to advise on rights issues as well as several note and bond programs and the preparation and approval process of the various instruments required in an issue.
In addition to acting for client banks and financial institutions in securities over real property, we act for real estate developers with projects from inception to ultimate sale to third parties. Our work has been in diverse areas and includes the development of residential estates and flats and apartments as well as industrial estates and business parks.
More generally, we act in property sales and purchases, both for our corporate and our private clients as well as in matters affecting landlord and tenant. In this capacity, we have acted for landlords in preparing leases over commercial, residential and agricultural premises, as well as for prospective tenants in negotiations.
Our associates are dedicated to running the litigation side of our practice which includes acting on a wide range of commercial and civil litigation matters. We have acted for banks and financial institutions, principally on matters arising from corporate and debt recovery; as well as for several insurance companies and brokers in defending or prosecuting claims ranging from running down matters to more complex property loss and damage claims.
We have acted for our client banks and receivers not only in the realization of security but also in examining and putting together viable pre-receivership alternatives. We have also acted in several receivership sales.
Our associates have participated in several consortia retained to examine legislative and regulatory reform in various sectors. Again, these see us pool together our work in the various fields in which we practice.
We act for our corporate clients in registering trademarks in Kenya. Services provided to the state corporation have included:
+ Review of the corporation constitutive documents including its Memorandum and Articles of Association and other relevant documents where applicable.
+ Holding conference meetings and other meetings with relevant persons in the corporation on corporate legal matters affecting the relevant corporation.
+ Review of relevant Government of Kenya Policy Papers regarding areas related to different corporations, existing legal framework, including all legislation and all subsidiary legislations.
+ The law firm has severally advised various parties concerning contracts to be entered with the Government of Kenya including advice of special authorization required for the implementing of specific progress.
Mohamed Ibrahim Gedi is an advocate of the High court of Kenya. He is a graduate of Masters of Laws – LLM degree in Public International Law from the University of Aberdeen, Masters of Arts in Diplomacy and Foreign policy from Moi University, Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) and Diploma from Kenya school of Law Dip Law (KSL). He Specialises in Corporate law, Constitutional and Administrative law, Legislative drafting and Alternative dispute resolution
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES:
+ Law Society of Kenya
+ East Africa Law society
+ International Bar Association
+ Pan African Lawyers Union
+ Centre of Corporate Governance
+ Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya
+ Hong Kong Trade Council
+ Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (Member)
+ Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC)
+ Mediation Accreditation Committee (MAC)
Edwin Chahilu Ayiro is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over ten years of experience across public and private sectors. Ayiro holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School, having graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Moi University. He specialises in commercial and constitutional litigation, legislation and policy formulation, compliance in devolved units, legal audits and Sports Dispute Resolution. Previously, he served as County Legal Advisor to the Taita-Taveta County Government, junior partner at Manzo and Company Advocates, Litigation and Research Counsel at Lutta and Company Advocates in addition to being a legal officer at the National Environmental Management Authority and a State Counsel at the State Law Office.
+ Law Society of Kenya
+ East Africa Law society
+ International Bar Association
Noordean Khagai is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) from Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Diploma from Kenya School of Law Dip. law (KSL) and a certified professional Mediator CPM (MTI).
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES.
+ Law Society of Kenya.
+ MTI International East Africa roster of Certified Professional Mediators.
+ Society of Mediators of East and Central Africa.
+ Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).
Leila Orina is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) and has a diploma from Kenya School of Law. Her niche of practice includes Commercial and Real Estate, Public and private partnerships, Corporate law and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
+ Law Society of Kenya
+ East Africa Law Society
+ Society of Mediators of East and Central Africa.
+ Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).
Dawson Nyaga Kariuki is the Head of Tax and Tax Dispute Resolution. He holds a formidable skills set, particularly in tax advisory and tax dispute resolution. He assists clients with tax advice and tax dispute resolution services, working extensively with our corporate mergers and acquisition, projects and private equity practices in providing specialist tax services.
Dawson holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Bachelor of Commerce degree from Catholic University of Eastern Africa. He is also registered with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Institute of Certified Secretaries.
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES
+ Institute of Certified Secretaries
+ Institute of Certified Public Accountants
+ Centre of Corporate Governance
A competent and experienced Corporate Banker with over a decade of professional experience and a firm understanding of Shariah Banking, Investment Banking, Corporate Relations, and Business Administration with proven ability to thrive in fast-paced work environments.
Holds and Master’s Degree of Business Administration in Strategic Management and a Bachelors Degree of Commerce in Management Science, both from the University of Nairobi. He also holds as Diploma in ICT from the Institute of Advance Technology.
He is an expert in Banking, Project Financing, Financial Analysis and Planning, and Risk Management having worked with SMEs and Corporates in multiple sectors including Energy and Petroleum, Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Import- Export Trade offering best financial and banking solutions.
As a businessman, Sheikhan currently runs multiple investments in real estate, government infrastructure and import - export trade. At the firm, Sheikhan is responsible for: The delivery of financial advice to clients, proposing
strategies to achieve short- and long-term objectives for investments, insurance, business, and estate planning with minimal risk.
Develop, review, and optimize investment portfolios by serving high value clients and Assets under Management. Design and implement templates of internal financial reports and dashboards for operational departments.
Ali is an assistant associate greatly experienced in client interviews, drafting and research. He hold Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) and currently undertaking his studies at Kenya School of Law
Zeinab is responsible for the firms administrative support. With an educational background in Business Management and Nutrition and Dietetics, she has been able to hold business and medical positions that have enabled her to garner technical skills and equally develop well written and oral communication skills along with a good exposure to working in diverse cultures which have been essential for her success in this role.
Olive Dames is currently our front door administrator at Gedi & Associates Advocates. Olive graduated from the University of Nairobi with a diploma in Public Relations. She pride herself with great communication skills, managing the comfortability of top niche clientele
ABDI MOHAMED ABDULLAHI AND THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL WATER HARVESTING & STORAGE AUTHORITY, THE BOARD OF DIECTORS, NATIONAL WATER HARVESTING & STORAGE AUTHORITY, THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR WATER, IRRIGATION & SANITATION AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
The Firm acted for a petitioner in halting numerous recruitment process of the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer and contributed jurisprudentially in the process of commencing a recruitment process without fully finalizing an ongoing process.
JAPHET MBOTE & 2 OTHERS AND COUNTY
GOVERNOR OF TAITA TAVETA, COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF TAITA TAVETA, COUNTY GOVERNOR OF KAJIADO, COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF KAJIADO, CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING
Successfully defended the two counties on matter involving the demarcation of a boundary between the County-Government of Taita-taveta and County-Government of Kajiado. The Firm clearly argued the importance and constitutional mandate of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)
UNIVERSAL SATSPACE (NORTH AMERICA) VS. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION& COMMUNICATIONS AND POSTAL CORPORATION OF KENYA – CLAIM NO. 2006 Folio 881 ISSUE DATE. 5.9.2006
The firm acted for the Government of Kenya in an Anglo-leasing contract value of KShs.1,200,000,000/=. The firm defended the Government of Kenya in the suit brought against it before the Commercial High Court in London. The firm drew a defence and a counter-claim of KShs.1,800,000,000/=. Matter concluded in favour of the Government of Kenya after arbitration.
NAIROBI HCCC MISC. APP. NO 1769 OF 2005
UNIVERSAL SATSPACE (NORTH AMERICA) LLC VS. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS AND POSTAL CORPORATION OF KENYA
The firm acted for the Ministry of Information and Communications. The Ex-parte Applicant was seeking judicial review orders against the Ministry of Information & Communications and Postal Corporation of Kenya Limited.
The matter involved Anglo-leasing related contracts of the estimated value of Kshs. 1.2 Billion. Government of Kenya and Postal Corporation of Kenya Limited successfully terminated the illegal contract and obtained cheaper services from Safaricom Limited.
The firm acted for the Kenya Dairy Board. The ex-parte Applicant was seeking an Order of Certiorari to quash the Regulations which had been gazetted for the regulation of Dairy Industry. The firm successfully defended the Kenya Dairy Board on grant of interim Orders to stay collection of levies. The exparte Applicant has lodged Notice of Appeal. Matter settled out of court and the Respondent paid the statutory levies under the Kenya Dairy Board Act.
The firm acted for the Plaintiff in a claim for double allotment of land. The Plaintiff was seeking compensation for damages and loss. It was seeking damages. The Government paid KShs. 170.0 million in damages through the Ministry of Lands. The Plaintiff was awarded and paid the awarded damages.
The firm incorporated a trustee on behalf of Kenya Post Office Savings Bank Employee’s Pension Trust Fund. We registered some of Vesting Orders issued in favour of the Applicant vesting various properties in the name of the Applicant. The Commissioner of Lands failed to register some of the Vesting Orders. We applied for an Order of Mandamus to compel both the Commissioner of Land and Registrar of Titles to register the Vesting Order. The court granted the order for mandamus. The value of the subject matter is KShs.796.0 million from Assets of the Pension Fund. The various properties were eventually registered in the name of the Pension Fund.
The firm acted for the Kenya Revenue Authority in a tax evasion related matter involving the sum of Kenya Shillings one hundred and two million (Kshs. 102,000,000) together with interest and penalties which continue to accrue. Intricate issues of Tax Law were raised and the
matter went before Court of Appeal, Civil Appeal No. 103 of 2012 for determination but was settled out of court in favour of Kenya Revenue Authority.
The firm is acting for Kenya Revenue Authority before the Court of Appeal. The Banking Insurance Finance Union (BIFU) had filed an Application for Judicial Review before the Superior Court. They sought an order of mandamus to compel Kenya Revenue Authority to deduct dues from its employees by way of check off and transmit to the account given by BIFU. On 22nd September 2008, the Superior Court delivered judgment in favour of KRA. The Superior Court held that according to the constitution of BIFU, it had no jurisdiction to recruit its members from KRA. KRA is not a financial institution, hence they could not recruit the Employees of Kenya Revenue Authority to join the Union.
The firm successfully acted for the Plaintiff. The matter involved encroachment of the suit land by squatters situated in Mavoko Municipality measuring approximately 231.4 hectares and valued at Kshs. 3.0 Billion. The suit land was also charged to a leading bank in Kenya. To secure the sum of Kshs. 200 million, the firm acted for the Bank in securing the borrowing. The firm obtained an eviction order and a permanent injunction to restrain the trespassers from ever trespassing or evading the suit land. The Plaintiff was awarded general damages of Kshs. 4,664,941/60 and punitive damages of Kshs. 7 Million. Defendants were ordered to pay costs amounting to Kshs. 5,642,602/=.
We registered Kenya Post Office Savings Bank Trust Fund and transferred all the Assets valued at Kshs.2.0 billion of the Fund including movable and immovable assets and various security investments, to preparing and completion the relevant applications for vesting orders to obtaining the vesting orders, to perusing title documents, to preparing the necessary applications for exemption of stamp duties as well as supporting affidavits and to meeting with the Minister of Lands, Permanent Secretary at Lands De-
partment, to lodging the vesting orders for registration for the following properties: L.R. No. 23261, 22491, 22492, 22491, 22516, 23260 and Eldoret Municipality Block 6/13.
We acted for La Nyavu Gardens Limited in the process of obtaining partial release and Sub-division certificate of L.R. No. 12064/481 and 482 valued at KShs. 1.2 billion at City Council of Nairobi and we undertook the process of getting new titles for the properties and following up with lands office for re-assessment of Land Rates and Rent and registration of new titles.
We restructured both Mwiki Court Limited and Mwiki Apartments Limited and prepared and lodged the transfer forms with Registrar of Companies for registration and prepared and filed Return of Allotments, obtained CR-112 search for both companies.
We acted on behalf of Fairshare Limited in the process of Change of User in respect of L.R. No. Ruiru/Kiu Block 7/135 valued at KShs.500,000,000/= million, we undertook the process of sub-division of the land and obtained individual titles in respect of each plot. We have also undertaken the process of the sale and purchase of the said plots which is ongoing.
We were involved in the preparation of Assent by Kamal Bhushan Joshi 3.21 acres over L.R. No. 209/3574 I.R. No. 8297/1 Nairobi valued at Kshs.1.5 billion. We prepared the Transfer from Kamal Joshi Bhushan Joshi to Kamal Joshi Investments Limited and organized for the exemption of stamp duty over L.R. No. 209/3574 and we also prepared several Discharges namely:
+ L.R. No. 209/9266
+ L.R. No. 209/9267
+ L.R. No. 209/9268
+ L.R. No. 37/690
+ L.R. No. 37/691
+ L.R. No. 3574
+ L.R. No. 8298
+ L.R. No. 4494/44/1
We also undertook the Filing and preparation of the Increase of Share Capital, Allotment of Shares to Joshi Kamal, filing Interim Returns and List of Directors.
We registered the Change of User, subdivision and Transfer of L.R. No. 209/3417 in the name of Jalaram Pride Apartments valued at Kshs.1.0 billion. We were involved in the preparation of the Lease documents in respect of the individual buyers and registration of the same at the lands office which comprised of 22 Apartments valued at Kshs.25,000,000/= each.
We acted for La Nyavu Homes Limited in respect of the Change of User, Sub-division and general conveyance in respect of L.R. Mavoko Town Block 3/2310 valued at Kshs.1.0 billion.
Notable Conveyancing matters that the firm has recently undertaken;
1. A & E Ngugi Investments Limited and Cooperative Bank of Kenya Limited - We prepared security documents with a value of KShs 247.000,000/= million.
2. Riva Oils Limited and Development Bank Kenya Limited we undertook the security documentation to a tune of Kshs.250,000,000/= million.
3. Kenya Bankers Sacco and Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited – We prepared the security documents with a value of KShs. 400,000,000/= million.
4. Westlands Properties Limited and Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited amount involved was KShs.280,000,000/- million.
5. Rundaview Company Limited and Co-operative Bank of Kenya security documentation amounted to Kshs.330,000,000/= million.
6. Mwea Rice Farmers Sacco and Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited the amount involved was KShs. 128,000,000/= million.
7. Palak International (Steel Mills) Limited with Development Bank of Kenya Limited amount involved was KShs.155,480,000/= million.
8. Jalaram Apartments Limited and Development Bank of Kenya Limited amount involved in the preparation to the security documents was KShs.59,500,000/=.
9. Kenya Post Office Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme involved an amount of KShs. 796,000,000 million.
10. Cobby Limited and Development Bank of Kenya Limited the amount involved was Kshs.150,000,000/=
11. La Nyavu Gardens Limited with Development
Bank of Kenya Limited the value of the work was in the tune of Kshs.200,000,000/=.
12. Messrs. KBA School Limited and Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited the value of the work was KShs.67,500,000/=.
TAITA TAVETA COUNTY GOVERNMENT BILLS.
1. The County Artificial Insemination and Livestock Breeding Technologies Bill.
2. The County Quarrying Bill.
3. The County Planning Bill.
4. The County Outdoor Advertising Bill.
5. The County Rules, Procedures and Guidelines for The Operation of The Mechanical and Transport Fund Bill.
6. The County Investment and Development Corporation Bill.
7. The County Charcoal Bill.
8. The County Petition to County assembly (procedure) Bill.
9. The County Abattoirs Bill.
10. The County Cancer Control Bill. 11. The County Cultural Heritage Bill. 12.