Wathingira Gituro
Partner | Nairobi
Contact
T: +254 20 503 1627
Overview
Wathingira Gituro is a partner in Bowmans’ Nairobi office and a senior member of the M&A & corporate law practice, with deep expertise across private equity, venture capital, mergers & acquisitions, capital markets and securities law, and regulatory and finance work. He regularly advises sponsors, private equity and venture capital investors, corporates and financial institutions on cross-border and domestic transactions, including listings, strategic acquisitions, investments and takeover processes.
He has an established track record on deal execution and market-leading mandates, having played central roles on high-profile transactions and exits handled by Bowmans’ Kenyan practice. Wathingira combines transactional know-how with practical regulatory insight — advising on structuring, compliance and regulatory issues that materially reduce deal risk and accelerate closings. This blend of commercial judgment and technical skill is why he is regularly instructed by PE houses, corporates and institutional clients.
Wathingira’s career path includes international secondments and he is recognised in leading legal directories and industry rankings as a rising partner in Kenya’s corporate practice. Clients value his clarity, negotiation strength and hands-on approach from mandate inception through to completion.
Experience
Jurisdictions worked in: Kenya
Languages fluent in: English
Key client experience includes:
- KCB Bank Plc on the sale of its entire stake (100%) in National Bank of Kenya Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Seller, to Access Bank Plc. We provided merger control advice and undertook the COMESA merger notification on behalf of the Seller.
- KCB Group Plc on the acquisition of 85% of the shares of Trust Merchant Bank SA – named East Africa Deal of the Year in 2023.
- Wananchi Group (Holdings) Ltd on the sale of their shares to Axian Telecom Fibre Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Axian Telecom Ltd a company incorporated under the Laws of Mauritius.
- STOA S.A., a French long-term infrastructure and Impact investor, on its equity investment of 31.03% stake in Atlas Tower Kenya Ltd, a leading independent telecom tower company in Kenya.
- Sumitomo Corporation on their investment of approximately USD 36.5 million in M-KOPA Holdings Ltd, a company incorporated in England and Wales through the subscription of mandatory subordinated convertible promissory notes offered by M-KOPA.
- Rubis S.A on its acquisition of Kenol Kobil.
- Centum Investments Company Limited KES 6 billion medium term note programme and on the issue and listing of a KES 4.2 billion medium term note programme.
- UAP Holdings Limited on its KES 2 billion note issuance.
- Real People Kenya Limited on its KES 5 billion medium term note programme.
- Commercial Bank of Africa Limited on its KES 8 billion medium term note with a green-shoe option of up to KES 2 billion.
- Britam Holdings Limited on its KES 6 billion medium term note programme.
Awards
- Chambers Global ranked Wathingira in Band 4 in the Corporate/M&A category for Kenya (2023-2026), as Up and Coming in the same category in 2022 and as an Associate to watch in 2021.
- Legal 500 recognised Wathingira as a Next Generation Partner for Commercial, Corporate and M&A in Kenya (2023-2026).
- IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide has rated Wathingira as a Notable Practitioner for his work in M&A in Kenya in 2025 and prior to that, as a Rising Star Partner for two consecutive years (2023 to 2024) in the same category.
‘Wathingira Gituro is hands-on, knowledgeable and experienced.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2025
‘Wathingira understands, listens and is very commercial in his approach. He is very strong at working with difficult parties.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2025
‘Creative solutions provided by Wathingira Gituro.’ – Legal 500, 2025
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Qualifications
Education
- LLB, University of Nairobi.
- Diploma, Kenya School of Law.
INSIGHTS
Overview
Wathingira Gituro is a partner in Bowmans’ Nairobi office and a senior member of the M&A & corporate law practice, with deep expertise across private equity, venture capital, mergers & acquisitions, capital markets and securities law, and regulatory and finance work. He regularly advises sponsors, private equity and venture capital investors, corporates and financial institutions on cross-border and domestic transactions, including listings, strategic acquisitions, investments and takeover processes.
He has an established track record on deal execution and market-leading mandates, having played central roles on high-profile transactions and exits handled by Bowmans’ Kenyan practice. Wathingira combines transactional know-how with practical regulatory insight — advising on structuring, compliance and regulatory issues that materially reduce deal risk and accelerate closings. This blend of commercial judgment and technical skill is why he is regularly instructed by PE houses, corporates and institutional clients.
Wathingira’s career path includes international secondments and he is recognised in leading legal directories and industry rankings as a rising partner in Kenya’s corporate practice. Clients value his clarity, negotiation strength and hands-on approach from mandate inception through to completion.
Experience
Jurisdictions worked in: Kenya
Languages fluent in: English
Key client experience includes:
- KCB Bank Plc on the sale of its entire stake (100%) in National Bank of Kenya Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Seller, to Access Bank Plc. We provided merger control advice and undertook the COMESA merger notification on behalf of the Seller.
- KCB Group Plc on the acquisition of 85% of the shares of Trust Merchant Bank SA – named East Africa Deal of the Year in 2023.
- Wananchi Group (Holdings) Ltd on the sale of their shares to Axian Telecom Fibre Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Axian Telecom Ltd a company incorporated under the Laws of Mauritius.
- STOA S.A., a French long-term infrastructure and Impact investor, on its equity investment of 31.03% stake in Atlas Tower Kenya Ltd, a leading independent telecom tower company in Kenya.
- Sumitomo Corporation on their investment of approximately USD 36.5 million in M-KOPA Holdings Ltd, a company incorporated in England and Wales through the subscription of mandatory subordinated convertible promissory notes offered by M-KOPA.
- Rubis S.A on its acquisition of Kenol Kobil.
- Centum Investments Company Limited KES 6 billion medium term note programme and on the issue and listing of a KES 4.2 billion medium term note programme.
- UAP Holdings Limited on its KES 2 billion note issuance.
- Real People Kenya Limited on its KES 5 billion medium term note programme.
- Commercial Bank of Africa Limited on its KES 8 billion medium term note with a green-shoe option of up to KES 2 billion.
- Britam Holdings Limited on its KES 6 billion medium term note programme.
Awards
- Chambers Global ranked Wathingira in Band 4 in the Corporate/M&A category for Kenya (2023-2026), as Up and Coming in the same category in 2022 and as an Associate to watch in 2021.
- Legal 500 recognised Wathingira as a Next Generation Partner for Commercial, Corporate and M&A in Kenya (2023-2026).
- IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide has rated Wathingira as a Notable Practitioner for his work in M&A in Kenya in 2025 and prior to that, as a Rising Star Partner for two consecutive years (2023 to 2024) in the same category.
‘Wathingira Gituro is hands-on, knowledgeable and experienced.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2025
‘Wathingira understands, listens and is very commercial in his approach. He is very strong at working with difficult parties.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2025
‘Creative solutions provided by Wathingira Gituro.’ – Legal 500, 2025
Keep up to date on the latest news
Our specialist practitioners share their knowledge and insights into a range of legal issues through various public speaking engagements, publications and media interactions. Subscribe to our legal updates to keep abreast of new developments.