Background Kenya’s skyline is transforming at an unprecedented pace. In hubs like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, and Nakuru, the demand for housing has pushed developers to build higher and faster.  While this vertical growth is a sign of economic modernization, a trend recently supported by the courts in cases like Anami & 2 others v CECM...Read More

As residential dwellings become more and more comprised in gated communities it is becoming apparent that there are significant costs involved with the administration of any multi-occupational development. Service charge is an amount payable in respect of repairs, maintenance and services in a gated community estate. Service charges are usually found in leases, where lessees...Read More

As the Republic of Kenya navigates the complexities of the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the commercial landscape has undergone a profound transformation, moving decisively away from a “voluntary compliance” ethos toward an era of automated, data-driven enforcement. In this contemporary environment, regulatory adherence is no longer a peripheral administrative task but a core strategic pillar for...Read More

Strategic Partnership Strengthens East African Legal Services We are proud to announce our official designation as the Kenya office for Pannike and Partners, marking a significant milestone in our firm’s growth and regional expansion. This strategic partnership positions SMC as the exclusive representative for all Pannike and Partners matters within Kenya, ensuring seamless service delivery...Read More

What is Probate and Why Do You Need It? When someone passes away in Kenya, their property cannot simply be divided amongst family members. The law requires proper court authorisation before anyone can handle a deceased person’s assets. This legal process is called probate, and it protects everyone involved whilst ensuring orderly estate administration. The...Read More

A Will is a record of the deceased person’s wishes and intentions pertaining to the devolution of his property upon his death. A Will is a testamentary document and is meant to take effect upon death; it has no legal effect until the maker dies. Section 5 of the Law of Succession Act provides that...Read More

This guide breaks down key concepts in Kenyan succession law to help you navigate inheritance matters. • Succession – means inheritance or simply transmission of ownership of property from the deceased person to those who are still living. Therefore, succession law deals with how to distribute a deceased individual’s property. • Estate – means a...Read More

Medical negligence occurs when medical or healthcare professionals, such as doctors, diverge from the acceptable standard of care resulting in avoidable harm to a patient. An incorrect diagnosis or prescription dosage delayed or missed diagnosis, incorrect or unnecessary treatment or surgical errors are all types of medical negligence. It’s worth noting that these claims are...Read More

The Business Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (the Bill) which is currently undergoing public participation is seeking to introduce legal provisions to increase the minimum core capital requirement for Kenyan banks and mortgage finance companies from KES 250 million to KES 10 billion within the next three years. The rationale being that banks with sufficient capital...Read More

Introduction On 14th October, 2024, the Central Bank of Kenya (the CBK) issued a press release confirming that in accordance with section 43 of the Banking Act (Cap 488, Laws of Kenya), it was granting authority to JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., a financial conglomerate domiciled in the USA, to establish a Representative Office in Kenya....Read More