“His attention to detail and ability to guide clients through complex matters has made him one of the most sought-after lawyers in Kenyan real estate.”- Chambers and Partners Global Guide 2024.
Tom Onyango heads the Real Estate and Banking Team. He has a reputation for providing innovative, well-reasoned, and commercially sensitive advice to every client in his portfolio.
His core practice centers around financial services and real estate development. He has extensive experience in a wide range of real estate transactions, including offering advisory and due diligence services in major capital investments. He has advised developers on raising real estate development finance and advised financial institutions on the perfection of securities. He has also structured several large-scale real estate projects and has put together numerous innovative commercial property transactions including some award-winning projects. In addition, he advises many businesses in Kenya and sits on the boards of several companies.
A knack for astute legal interpretation and meticulous attention to detail has seen Tom carve a very distinctive niche in commercial real estate and conveyancing matters. Adding to previous accolades, he was ranked as Band 3 in Real Estate by leading global directory Chambers and Partners in 2024.
Qualifications:
- Global Executive MBA (USIU)
- LLB (Hons.)
- Diploma in Law (KSL)
Memberships:
- Law Society of Kenya
- East Africa Law Society
Key Matters
1. Ceytun Insaat Sanayi Ve Ticaret As
(A Turkish developer specializing in top-end real estate projects) its first smart home luxury apartment project in sub-Saharan Africa valued at USD 9.4 million (KES 1.3 billion).
2. Echuka Country Estates Limited
(Real estate developer in Kenya) in a country estate gated community project valued at USD 8.7 million (KES 1.2 billion).
3. Umba Inc
(A fintech) in a transaction that involved an acquisition of over five million shares (with an estimated value of USD 5.8 million) in a microfinance institution.
4. Ecobank Kenya
(A leading independent pan-African bank in Kenya and a member of Ecobank Transnational) in security documentation of a loan valued at USD 4.1 million (KES 554 million) extended to Mjengo Limited (one of East Africa’s leading FMCG companies).
5. Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited now Absa Bank Kenya PLC
(A commercial bank in Kenya and a subsidiary of South Africa-based Absa Group Limited) in a lending transaction valued at USD 3.6 million (KES 486 million) to Sweeney Estates Limited.
6. NCBA Bank Kenya PLC
(The third largest Kenyan bank in assets) in connection with the perfection of securities valued at USD 3.6 million (KES 486 million).
7. Kore Developments Limited
(A construction company) in negotiating a loan valued at USD 2.9 million (KES 392 million) from the Co-operative Bank of Kenya (an NSE-listed commercial bank) to finance the construction of 37 modern townhouses.
8. Century Microfinance Bank Limited
In advisory, review and preparation of the transaction documents to effect the subscription of shares by an investor valued at USD 2.5 million (KES 338 million).
9. Kenya Commercial Bank Limited (KCB)
(One of the top financial services providers in East Africa) in the security documentation of a loan valued at USD 1.4 million (KES 189 million) extended to Tusker Mattresses (Tuskys (a Kenyan supermarket chain)) to extend its operations in the region.
Capabilites
Insights
Insights
The Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019 and its Implication on Developers
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The Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019 and its Implication on Developers
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Insights
TOK Talk – Share Your Feedback Tom O. Onyango, MBS
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TOK Talk – Share Your Feedback Tom O. Onyango, MBS
See Article