We offer end-to-end legal support in real estate transactions and property development across Kenya. We act for investors, developers, landowners, lenders, and institutional clients on all aspects of property acquisition, financing, and conveyancing, ensuring transactions are secure, compliant, and efficiently executed.
Our team brings decades of experience navigating Kenya’s land laws, titling regimes, and regulatory frameworks. Whether you are developing mixed-use projects, undertaking large-scale acquisitions, or securing finance against land assets, we ensure your interests are protected at every stage. We routinely advise on structuring, due diligence, security creation, leasing, and compliance with planning and zoning laws.
In a rapidly evolving market, we also help clients future-proof their investments, from environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-compliant developments and real estate investment trust (REIT) structuring to navigating digitised land registries and county approvals. Our legal insight is matched by our commercial awareness, making us trusted partners in every property deal.
Key Capabilities
Real estate transactions
Real estate transactions are foundational to investment, development, and economic growth in Kenya. We advise private investors, developers, corporate entities, institutions, and landowners on the legal intricacies of acquiring, disposing of, and managing real estate assets. Whether the transaction involves residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use property, we ensure legal clarity, due diligence, and risk mitigation at every stage.
Our team offers end-to-end support from contract negotiation and title verification to registration and regulatory compliance. We regularly advise on sale and purchase agreements, lease agreements (including long-term and controlled tenancies), and portfolio restructuring. We also assist clients with strategic land banking and bulk acquisitions, including transactions involving public land or foreign ownership restrictions.
Given the evolving real estate landscape, we take a proactive approach to managing risks associated with zoning, tenure, land-use restrictions, and emerging digitisation in the Lands Registry. We ensure our clients’ interests are protected and that their transactions are not only legally sound but also commercially viable in the long term.
We provide strategic legal counsel for land acquisition, commercial deals, leases, and asset transfers.
Property development and conveyancing
Property development in Kenya requires more than just land and capital; it demands strong legal foundations. We support clients across the development value chain, from land acquisition and project structuring to off-plan sales and final conveyancing. Our lawyers offer tailored legal guidance to developers, investors, contractors, and institutional stakeholders involved in residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.
We are well-versed in managing the legal complexities of titling, change-of-user applications, subdivision, amalgamation, and planning approvals. Our team ensures that development projects are fully compliant with local laws and regulatory frameworks, including county land control boards, the National Construction Authority (NCA), the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), and urban planning authorities.
On the conveyancing front, we oversee secure, timely, and transparent transfers of property rights. Whether acting for buyers, sellers, or financiers, we draft, review, and register sale agreements, leases, assignments, and charges, while conducting thorough due diligence on title and land history to ensure risk-free ownership.
We provide strategic legal support throughout the lifecycle of property development and transfer.
Social infrastructure and community development
The firm supports the design, financing, and implementation of social infrastructure projects that advance health, education, housing, and inclusive urban development. We work with governments, non-profit institutions, development finance partners, and private sector stakeholders to deliver projects that directly improve quality of life and promote long-term community resilience.
Our team advises on land acquisition, regulatory compliance, public-private partnerships (PPPs), donor agreements, and stakeholder engagement for the delivery of schools, hospitals, low-income housing, public parks, and cultural centres. We assist in navigating environmental and social safeguards, impact assessments, and benefit-sharing mechanisms to ensure that projects are both lawful and equitable.
Community-centred development requires legal structures that protect rights, promote transparency, and align public good with private investment. We ensure that social infrastructure projects are not only legally compliant but also socially transformative and financially sustainable.
We provide strategic legal guidance for the development of essential social services and sustainable community investment.
Key Contacts
Ribin N. Ondwari
Partner, Head of Real Estate, Banking & Financial Services
E: ribin@ashitivaadvocates.com
Partner, Head of Real Estate & Construction
E: ckamau-kimoita@ashitivaadvocates.com
