Cornelius Kigera
Partner | Nairobi
Contact
T: +254 20 503 1612
Overview
Cornelius heads our Finance practice in the Kenya office, Coulson Harney LLP.
He specialises in banking and finance, construction, property and conveyancing law and general corporate and commercial law. Cornelius advises on large-scale transactions for a variety of clients across a range of sectors in Kenya.
Experience
Cornelius has advised:
- Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (and other lenders) in respect of credit facilities to be made available to a telecommunications group with operations in Kenya for a sum of USD 270 million.
- Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) in connection with the restructuring of facilities of up to USD 50 million advanced to ARM Cement Limited under a convertible subordinated secured term loan facility agreement. The principal amount of the restructured facility was USD 36 million.
- UAP Holdings Limited (UAP) in relation to a term loan facility from Nedbank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division) (Nedbank) for USD 35 million.
- Wananchi Group of companies in Kenya in relation to a loan facility of USD 72 million from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), an agency of the United States of America.
- Banque Cantonale De Geneve in relation to a loan facility of USD 15 million to Kenol Kobil Limited.
- Kenya Commercial Bank Limited in relation to a KES 5 billion facility to County Government of Nairobi.
- Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited on a financing transaction from Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited to the value of USD 250 million.
- Several commercial banks on preparation and perfection of securities. Some of these banks include Kenya Commercial Bank, NIC Bank Limited, CfC Stanbic Bank Limited, Equity Bank Limited, Bank of Africa, UBA Bank Limited, GT Bank Limited.
- Developers, Hello Properties Limited and Lagoon Developments Limited, on project structuring and transaction documentation for the Mandharini development and sale of 130 homes on 150 acres of land in Kilifi. The development received international acclaim and won the international development award for the best residential development in Africa – 2011.
- PwC on the then proposed acquisition of a building in Nairobi that was to house their regional offices; deal value of KES 2 billion.
- PwC on a financing transaction from Standard Chartered Bank to the value USD 17.9 million.
- ED & F Mann Holdings Limited on its exit from the Dormans Group; a well-established coffee business in East Africa.
- Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited in obtaining project finance from Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited for the purpose of upgrading its Mombasa petroleum refinery; deal value of USD 13.5 million.
- Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited on a financing transaction from UBA Kenya Bank Limited to the value of USD 150 million.
- Equity Bank on a financing transaction to Riverside Mews Limited to the value of USD 5.5 million.
- East African Breweries in its sale of a piece of land for the sum of KES 650 million.
- British-American Asset Managers Limited in their acquisition of a piece of land worth USD 4.6 million.
- Actis on the purchase of prime real estate in Nairobi for the purpose of developing a residential cum commercial estate; deal value of KES 1.2 billion.
- Actis on the project structuring and transaction documentation for the proposed development of a residential cum commercial estate in Ruaraka, Nairobi. Actis proposed to develop 600 units as part of this project.
- Buffalo Malls Limited, on project structuring and transaction documentation for the development of a shopping mall in Naivasha, Kenya. The transaction involved a joint venture between the land owner and the developer where we drafted and negotiated a joint venture agreement, drafted and negotiated the terms of a long term lease with an anchor tenant – (one of Kenya’s) leading supermarket chains.
- Norfund on the transaction documentation for the financing of a power project in Kenya coupled with an equity interest; deal value of USD 15 million.
- PSP Homes on the sale of a piece of land for the sum of KES 450 million.
- KTGA in deliberations with the Ministry of Lands and the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution on the introduction of new Land laws and the proposing of amendments to the draft bills.
- Musiara Limited on the protection of its property rights within the Maasai Mara Conservancy, in relation to the parcel of land on which it established the world famous Little Governors Camp.
Awards
- Chambers Global ranked Cornelius for his work in Banking and Finance in Kenya, in Band 2 (2026); Band 3 (2023-2024); and Up and Coming (2022) in the same category. Cornelius is also ranked for his work in the Real Estate sector in Kenya for the past 4 years, most recently, in Band 3 (2026);
- Legal 500 ranked Cornelius as a Leading Partner for Banking, Finance and Capital Markets as well as Real Estate and Construction in Kenya (2023-2026). In 2017, he was listed as a Recommend Lawyer for both Real Estate and Construction and Banking, Finance and Capital Markets.
- IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide rated Cornelius as a Market Leader for his work in the Banking category, specifically within the Real Estate, Construction and materials sectors in 2025 and prior to that, as Highly Regarded in the same categories for four consecutive years (2021-2024) and prior to that, as a Rising Star for four consecutive years (2016 to 2020) in the same category.
‘Cornelius is a professional par excellence.‘
‘He has consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment and the utmost attention to detail. His proactive approach, responsiveness and thorough understanding of complex issues has been invaluable.’
‘Cornelius is pleasant to work with. He remains easily accessible and is very pragmatic and market-astute.’
‘Cornelius Kigera is an astute legal mind with a wealth of experience.’
– Chambers Global, 2026
‘Cornelius Kigera offers exceptional service in terms of prompt legal advice and legal opinions. He is client focused, understands our business and his technical ability is outstanding.’
‘I work with the Banking and Finance team led by Cornelius Kigera. He is easy to reach, thinks on his feet, gives sound opinions that take into account our customer needs and the bank’s bottom line.’
‘I have had the pleasure of working with Cornelius Kigera who leads the team. He has maintained a very practical and commercially sound approach in his legal advice. He is super responsive.’
– Legal 500, 2025
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Qualifications
- LLB from the University of Nairobi.
- Diploma from the Kenya School of Law and the Institute for the Management of Information Systems.
Professional Memberships
- Law Society of Kenya.
- Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya.
- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch).
- Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch).
- Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Public Secretary.
INSIGHTS
Kenya: Public land to be registered and titles issued, including land set aside for public purposes as part of obtaining development approvals
Kenya: Reinstatement of National Land Commission’s ability to review title deeds and accept historical land injustices claims
Kenya: Court of Appeal clarifies legal status of Nairobi’s zoning and development control laws and policies
Kenya: Supreme Court conclusively settles the law around the doctrine of innocent purchaser for value without notice
Kenya: Banking and Finance/Real Estate and Construction Quarterly Newsletter – Q1 2025
Kenya: Be careful what you agree to over email – It could be legally binding
Kenya: High Court ruling clears up long-standing queries on the consequences of property completion delays
Kenya: Court ruling sends a strong message to developers on zoning, environmental compliance and public participation
Kenya: High Court rules a creditor cannot seek recovery against a guarantor after purchasing the charged property of a chargor
Kenya: The Land Control Bill, 2022
Kenya: Central Bank of Kenya (Digital Credit Providers) Regulations, 2021
Kenya: Law Restricting Ownership of Land in Kenya by Foreigners Declared Unconstitutional
Kenya: Conversion of Old Land Reference Numbers to New Parcel
Kenya: Waiver Of Land Rates Penalties and Interests In Nairobi
Kenya: The sectional properties regime
Kenya: Launch of the National Lands Information Management System (NLIMS)
Kenya: Pre-Launch of the National Information Management System (NLIMS)
Kenya: Implementation of the Stamp Duty (Valuation of Immovable Property) Regulations 2020
Kenya: Conversion of land reference numbers in Nairobi
Abolition of Common Seals for execution of documents
COVID 19 Briefing No 4 – The closure of Registries and Government Offices
The Law of Contract (Amendment) Bill, 2019
The Appointment of Commissioners in the National Land Commission and its Impact on Land Transactions
The interest rate cap is no more…
Kenya: Regulation of interest rates: Where are we?
Various Land Regulations – when should we start using the new prescribed forms?
Kenya: The Warehouse Receipt System Bill 2018
South Africa: Parliament extends the period for consideration and approval of Land Regulations and Wildlife Conservation Management Regulations by 6 months
South Africa: The Banking (Amendment) Act, 2016 (the Act)
Overview
Cornelius heads our Finance practice in the Kenya office, Coulson Harney LLP.
He specialises in banking and finance, construction, property and conveyancing law and general corporate and commercial law. Cornelius advises on large-scale transactions for a variety of clients across a range of sectors in Kenya.
Experience
Cornelius has advised:
- Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (and other lenders) in respect of credit facilities to be made available to a telecommunications group with operations in Kenya for a sum of USD 270 million.
- Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) in connection with the restructuring of facilities of up to USD 50 million advanced to ARM Cement Limited under a convertible subordinated secured term loan facility agreement. The principal amount of the restructured facility was USD 36 million.
- UAP Holdings Limited (UAP) in relation to a term loan facility from Nedbank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division) (Nedbank) for USD 35 million.
- Wananchi Group of companies in Kenya in relation to a loan facility of USD 72 million from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), an agency of the United States of America.
- Banque Cantonale De Geneve in relation to a loan facility of USD 15 million to Kenol Kobil Limited.
- Kenya Commercial Bank Limited in relation to a KES 5 billion facility to County Government of Nairobi.
- Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited on a financing transaction from Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited to the value of USD 250 million.
- Several commercial banks on preparation and perfection of securities. Some of these banks include Kenya Commercial Bank, NIC Bank Limited, CfC Stanbic Bank Limited, Equity Bank Limited, Bank of Africa, UBA Bank Limited, GT Bank Limited.
- Developers, Hello Properties Limited and Lagoon Developments Limited, on project structuring and transaction documentation for the Mandharini development and sale of 130 homes on 150 acres of land in Kilifi. The development received international acclaim and won the international development award for the best residential development in Africa – 2011.
- PwC on the then proposed acquisition of a building in Nairobi that was to house their regional offices; deal value of KES 2 billion.
- PwC on a financing transaction from Standard Chartered Bank to the value USD 17.9 million.
- ED & F Mann Holdings Limited on its exit from the Dormans Group; a well-established coffee business in East Africa.
- Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited in obtaining project finance from Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited for the purpose of upgrading its Mombasa petroleum refinery; deal value of USD 13.5 million.
- Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited on a financing transaction from UBA Kenya Bank Limited to the value of USD 150 million.
- Equity Bank on a financing transaction to Riverside Mews Limited to the value of USD 5.5 million.
- East African Breweries in its sale of a piece of land for the sum of KES 650 million.
- British-American Asset Managers Limited in their acquisition of a piece of land worth USD 4.6 million.
- Actis on the purchase of prime real estate in Nairobi for the purpose of developing a residential cum commercial estate; deal value of KES 1.2 billion.
- Actis on the project structuring and transaction documentation for the proposed development of a residential cum commercial estate in Ruaraka, Nairobi. Actis proposed to develop 600 units as part of this project.
- Buffalo Malls Limited, on project structuring and transaction documentation for the development of a shopping mall in Naivasha, Kenya. The transaction involved a joint venture between the land owner and the developer where we drafted and negotiated a joint venture agreement, drafted and negotiated the terms of a long term lease with an anchor tenant – (one of Kenya’s) leading supermarket chains.
- Norfund on the transaction documentation for the financing of a power project in Kenya coupled with an equity interest; deal value of USD 15 million.
- PSP Homes on the sale of a piece of land for the sum of KES 450 million.
- KTGA in deliberations with the Ministry of Lands and the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution on the introduction of new Land laws and the proposing of amendments to the draft bills.
- Musiara Limited on the protection of its property rights within the Maasai Mara Conservancy, in relation to the parcel of land on which it established the world famous Little Governors Camp.
Awards
- Chambers Global ranked Cornelius for his work in Banking and Finance in Kenya, in Band 2 (2026); Band 3 (2023-2024); and Up and Coming (2022) in the same category. Cornelius is also ranked for his work in the Real Estate sector in Kenya for the past 4 years, most recently, in Band 3 (2026);
- Legal 500 ranked Cornelius as a Leading Partner for Banking, Finance and Capital Markets as well as Real Estate and Construction in Kenya (2023-2026). In 2017, he was listed as a Recommend Lawyer for both Real Estate and Construction and Banking, Finance and Capital Markets.
- IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide rated Cornelius as a Market Leader for his work in the Banking category, specifically within the Real Estate, Construction and materials sectors in 2025 and prior to that, as Highly Regarded in the same categories for four consecutive years (2021-2024) and prior to that, as a Rising Star for four consecutive years (2016 to 2020) in the same category.
‘Cornelius is a professional par excellence.‘
‘He has consistently demonstrated outstanding commitment and the utmost attention to detail. His proactive approach, responsiveness and thorough understanding of complex issues has been invaluable.’
‘Cornelius is pleasant to work with. He remains easily accessible and is very pragmatic and market-astute.’
‘Cornelius Kigera is an astute legal mind with a wealth of experience.’
– Chambers Global, 2026
‘Cornelius Kigera offers exceptional service in terms of prompt legal advice and legal opinions. He is client focused, understands our business and his technical ability is outstanding.’
‘I work with the Banking and Finance team led by Cornelius Kigera. He is easy to reach, thinks on his feet, gives sound opinions that take into account our customer needs and the bank’s bottom line.’
‘I have had the pleasure of working with Cornelius Kigera who leads the team. He has maintained a very practical and commercially sound approach in his legal advice. He is super responsive.’
– Legal 500, 2025
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