Jurisdictions worked in: Kenya and Uganda
Languages Fluent in: English and Swahili

*Experience gained prior to joining Bowmans

Richard’s expertise within the Technology, Media and Telecommunications sector includes advising:

• Ericsson on license renewal with the Communication Authority of Kenya and compliance with local equity participation requirements.
• Uber B.V. and Uber Kenya on various regulatory and compliance matters.
• Multi-jurisdictional advice to a leading American technology products company on an ongoing basis on the launch of various products and telecommunications infrastructure projects.
• A European internet exchange point provider on telecommunications regulation in Kenya, setting the company up locally and obtaining an application service provider license.
• A MVNO/MVNA service provider on regulation in the country and obtaining the relevant licence from the Communications Authority.
• Various telecommunications licensees on structuring options for compliance with local equity participation requirements.
• An American aerospace and internet satellite company on telecommunications licensing and ancillary permits/licenses required to set up operations, as well as undertaking local company incorporation.
• Submissions on behalf of Google Kenya Limited to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration on the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Critical Information Infrastructure and Cybercrime) Regulations, 2023 in September 2023 and Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Critical Information Infrastructure and Cybercrime Management) Regulations, 2024 in February 2024.
• Submissions on the draft 12 sets of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998 Regulations to the Communications Authority of Kenya on behalf of Google Kenya Limited, American Chamber of Commerce and Safaricom PLC in June 2023.
• Submissions on behalf of Meta Platforms, Inc to the Film and Publication Board on amendments to the Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996 introduced by the Films and Publications Amendment Act 11 of 2019 in July 2022.

Richard’s expertise in Data Privacy and Data Protection matters includes advising:

• Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in relation to advice on hiring a DPO and further legal and regulatory advice on data protection compliance requirements in Kenya generally in light of recent regulatory developments.
• Tools for Humanity Corp on data protection advice and local integration and implementation in Kenya.
• Uber BV on several data privacy matters and assisting with its successful registration with the ODPC.
• Microsoft Corporation on data protection and cybersecurity advice in relation to provision of its cloud services platform in Kenya.
• A Pan-African e-commerce platform on privacy and data protection compliance obligations, including data disclosure obligations, and government access and information requests.
• A global technology company on application of the Data Protection Act (No.24 of 2019) to international companies and registration with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
• Optica Limited on its suite of privacy documents, brand protection, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Influencer and Model Agreements, intellectual property due diligence, and franchise agreements.
• UAP Old Mutual on data protection advice in respect of the roll-out of proposed marketing services.
• Google on general aspects of data protection and privacy in Kenyan law and on the state of legislation and regulation governing certain Google products.

Richard’s expertise in Cybersecurity, Cloud, and Software-A-Service matters includesadvising:

• Amazon Web Service on cloud regulation and data protection.
• UAP (Old Mutual) on the acquisition and installation of a bespoke ERP system and the acquisition of a further ERP system.
• A major conservancy in Kenya regarding development of their bespoke online booking system. We further provided advice relating to a potential dispute relating to the software development agreement regarding the contested scope of development and maintenance fees payable.
• A local technology provider offering a mobile money wallet solution on its agreements with the software developer and licence agreements with the financial institutions.
• Several local clients including Kenya Airways, reviewing software click wrap agreements from Oracle and Microsoft re supply of software licences.
• Drafting and negotiating a co-operation agreement between Safaricom Limited and Seven Seas Technologies Limited for collaboration in the research and development of innovative technology products, including the use of cloud computing.

Richard’s expertise in Fintech, Financial Services Regulatory and Virtual Assets matters includes advising:

• Mastercard International Inc. on the regulation of various payment products and services in Kenya.
• Visa Incorporated in completing their Visa Checkout Country Expansion survey from Kenyan law perspective. This involved advising on laws and regulations applicable to data protection and privacy, advertising and consumer protection in the context of provision of online marketing and advertising services.
• Yellow Card Financial Inc. (Yellow Card) regarding the regulatory framework applicable to cryptocurrencies and related offerings in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
• Tools for Humanity Corporation and Tools for Humanity GmbH regarding the proposed offering of certain crypto-products in Kenya or accessible to users in Kenya including scope of regulation around P2P crypto-microlending through which TFH would make small loans of crypto available to users whereby transactions would be completed solely in crypto (no fiat involvement) including an analysis on whether the product would be regulated in any way and legal limitations to such an offering.
• Part of the virtual assets and cryptocurrency regulatory legislative drafting team for the Kenyan Virtual Assets Service Provider’s Bill 2024, submitted to the National Assembly of Kenya in February 2024.
• Prex Limited regarding the regulatory framework applicable to cryptocurrencies and related offerings in Kenya.
• com in clarifying the Capital Markets Authority’s likely regulatory approach, including a legal opinion on offering services in Kenya such as CFD trading, options, and cryptocurrencies. Our role was to advise the client on the regulatory requirements regarding trading services in relation to cryptocurrencies and assist the client with further engagement with CMA prior to rolling out of their product or services.
• Valour Inc. on the legal considerations
• in listing of Exchange-Traded products backed by Digital Assets on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
• Uber B.V. and Uber Kenya on various regulatory and compliance matters.
• BitMex – HDR Cadenza Management Limited, acted as lead counsel in relation to the client’s investment by way of subscription for preferred ordinary shares in VALR Proprietary Limited, on of South Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.
• CoinBase which is exploring the possibility of launching its services in Kenya. Our advice entailed an extensive regulatory review on the regulation of crypto wallets, cryptocurrencies and crypto securities in Kenya.
• BitDirect Global Limited in drafting terms of service applicable to users of the BitDirect cryptocurrency wallet management platform, providing for the establishment and management of access to, transactions with and withdrawals from multi-signature Bitcoin wallets through a multi-signature protocol requiring at least 2 signatures for any transaction.
• com in clarifying the Capital Markets Authority’s likely regulatory approach, including a legal opinion on offering services in Kenya such as CFD trading, options, and cryptocurrencies. Our role was to advise the client on the regulatory requirements regarding trading services in relation to cryptocurrencies and assist the client with further engagement with CMA prior to roll-out of their product or services.
• Luno Proprietary Limited to make formal application for a crypto assets financial services provider (FSP) licence. This has involved liaising with the regulator on numerous occasions and advising Luno on each step of the application process, including as regards required policies and appointments.
• A Ugandan cryptocurrency company, on legal aspects of the regulatory notice issued by the Bank of Uganda (Uganda’s Central Bank) on the Ugandan legal position on BitcoinTM and LitecoinTM in 2017.
• A cryptocurrency securities trading platform based in Silicon Valley, on legal aspects of capital markets and securities trading in Uganda.
• CryptoSA (Pty) Ltd t/a Silgonex – Providing financial regulatory, tax and exchange control assistance and advice, in relation to the establishment of CryptoSA’s proposed cryptocurrency trading business, cryptocurrency exchange and related products and services, such as its “crypto card.
• Simmons & Simmons LLP which then advised Coinbase through the client in relation to cryptocurrency related activities in South Africa.
• Assisting a leading FinTech company in trade mark registration strategy and assisted in trade mark registration in different countries in Eastern, Southern, Western and Northern Africa, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam, among other jurisdictions.
• Standard Chartered Plc through Adams & Adams in copyright registration in Kenya.

Richard’s expertise within the Technology, Media and Telecommunications sector includes advising:

• Ericsson on license renewal with the Communication Authority of Kenya and compliance with local equity participation requirements.
• Uber B.V. and Uber Kenya on various regulatory and compliance matters.
• Multi-jurisdictional advice to a leading American technology products company on an ongoing basis on the launch of various products and telecommunications infrastructure projects.
• A European internet exchange point provider on telecommunications regulation in Kenya, setting the company up locally and obtaining an application service provider license.
• A MVNO/MVNA service provider on regulation in the country and obtaining the relevant licence from the Communications Authority.
• Various telecommunications licensees on structuring options for compliance with local equity participation requirements.
• An American aerospace and internet satellite company on telecommunications licensing and ancillary permits/licenses required to set up operations, as well as undertaking local company incorporation.
• Submissions on behalf of Google Kenya Limited to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration on the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Critical Information Infrastructure and Cybercrime) Regulations, 2023 in September 2023 and Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Critical Information Infrastructure and Cybercrime Management) Regulations, 2024 in February 2024.
• Submissions on the draft 12 sets of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998 Regulations to the Communications Authority of Kenya on behalf of Google Kenya Limited, American Chamber of Commerce and Safaricom PLC in June 2023.
• Submissions on behalf of Meta Platforms, Inc to the Film and Publication Board on amendments to the Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996 introduced by the Films and Publications Amendment Act 11 of 2019 in July 2022.

Richard’s expertise in Data Privacy and Data Protection matters includes advising:

• Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in relation to advice on hiring a DPO and further legal and regulatory advice on data protection compliance requirements in Kenya generally in light of recent regulatory developments.
• Tools for Humanity Corp on data protection advice and local integration and implementation in Kenya.
• Uber BV on several data privacy matters and assisting with its successful registration with the ODPC.
• Microsoft Corporation on data protection and cybersecurity advice in relation to provision of its cloud services platform in Kenya.
• A Pan-African e-commerce platform on privacy and data protection compliance obligations, including data disclosure obligations, and government access and information requests.
• A global technology company on application of the Data Protection Act (No.24 of 2019) to international companies and registration with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
• Optica Limited on its suite of privacy documents, brand protection, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Influencer and Model Agreements, intellectual property due diligence, and franchise agreements.
• UAP Old Mutual on data protection advice in respect of the roll-out of proposed marketing services.
• Google on general aspects of data protection and privacy in Kenyan law and on the state of legislation and regulation governing certain Google products.

Richard’s expertise in Cybersecurity, Cloud, and Software-A-Service matters includesadvising:

• Amazon Web Service on cloud regulation and data protection.
• UAP (Old Mutual) on the acquisition and installation of a bespoke ERP system and the acquisition of a further ERP system.
• A major conservancy in Kenya regarding development of their bespoke online booking system. We further provided advice relating to a potential dispute relating to the software development agreement regarding the contested scope of development and maintenance fees payable.
• A local technology provider offering a mobile money wallet solution on its agreements with the software developer and licence agreements with the financial institutions.
• Several local clients including Kenya Airways, reviewing software click wrap agreements from Oracle and Microsoft re supply of software licences.
• Drafting and negotiating a co-operation agreement between Safaricom Limited and Seven Seas Technologies Limited for collaboration in the research and development of innovative technology products, including the use of cloud computing.

Richard’s expertise in Fintech, Financial Services Regulatory and Virtual Assets matters includes advising:

• Mastercard International Inc. on the regulation of various payment products and services in Kenya.
• Visa Incorporated in completing their Visa Checkout Country Expansion survey from Kenyan law perspective. This involved advising on laws and regulations applicable to data protection and privacy, advertising and consumer protection in the context of provision of online marketing and advertising services.
• Yellow Card Financial Inc. (Yellow Card) regarding the regulatory framework applicable to cryptocurrencies and related offerings in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
• Tools for Humanity Corporation and Tools for Humanity GmbH regarding the proposed offering of certain crypto-products in Kenya or accessible to users in Kenya including scope of regulation around P2P crypto-microlending through which TFH would make small loans of crypto available to users whereby transactions would be completed solely in crypto (no fiat involvement) including an analysis on whether the product would be regulated in any way and legal limitations to such an offering.
• Part of the virtual assets and cryptocurrency regulatory legislative drafting team for the Kenyan Virtual Assets Service Provider’s Bill 2024, submitted to the National Assembly of Kenya in February 2024.
• Prex Limited regarding the regulatory framework applicable to cryptocurrencies and related offerings in Kenya.
• com in clarifying the Capital Markets Authority’s likely regulatory approach, including a legal opinion on offering services in Kenya such as CFD trading, options, and cryptocurrencies. Our role was to advise the client on the regulatory requirements regarding trading services in relation to cryptocurrencies and assist the client with further engagement with CMA prior to rolling out of their product or services.
• Valour Inc. on the legal considerations
• in listing of Exchange-Traded products backed by Digital Assets on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
• Uber B.V. and Uber Kenya on various regulatory and compliance matters.
• BitMex – HDR Cadenza Management Limited, acted as lead counsel in relation to the client’s investment by way of subscription for preferred ordinary shares in VALR Proprietary Limited, on of South Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges.
• CoinBase which is exploring the possibility of launching its services in Kenya. Our advice entailed an extensive regulatory review on the regulation of crypto wallets, cryptocurrencies and crypto securities in Kenya.
• BitDirect Global Limited in drafting terms of service applicable to users of the BitDirect cryptocurrency wallet management platform, providing for the establishment and management of access to, transactions with and withdrawals from multi-signature Bitcoin wallets through a multi-signature protocol requiring at least 2 signatures for any transaction.
• com in clarifying the Capital Markets Authority’s likely regulatory approach, including a legal opinion on offering services in Kenya such as CFD trading, options, and cryptocurrencies. Our role was to advise the client on the regulatory requirements regarding trading services in relation to cryptocurrencies and assist the client with further engagement with CMA prior to roll-out of their product or services.
• Luno Proprietary Limited to make formal application for a crypto assets financial services provider (FSP) licence. This has involved liaising with the regulator on numerous occasions and advising Luno on each step of the application process, including as regards required policies and appointments.
• A Ugandan cryptocurrency company, on legal aspects of the regulatory notice issued by the Bank of Uganda (Uganda’s Central Bank) on the Ugandan legal position on BitcoinTM and LitecoinTM in 2017.
• A cryptocurrency securities trading platform based in Silicon Valley, on legal aspects of capital markets and securities trading in Uganda.
• CryptoSA (Pty) Ltd t/a Silgonex – Providing financial regulatory, tax and exchange control assistance and advice, in relation to the establishment of CryptoSA’s proposed cryptocurrency trading business, cryptocurrency exchange and related products and services, such as its “crypto card.
• Simmons & Simmons LLP which then advised Coinbase through the client in relation to cryptocurrency related activities in South Africa.
• Assisting a leading FinTech company in trade mark registration strategy and assisted in trade mark registration in different countries in Eastern, Southern, Western and Northern Africa, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam, among other jurisdictions.
• Standard Chartered Plc through Adams & Adams in copyright registration in Kenya.

Corporate Commercial experience gained prior to joining Bowmans:

• Acting for a large British multinational chemicals company in connection with opposition proceedings instituted against a large British multinational car manufacturer, challenging the improper registration of an invalid trademark in Kenya and other key African jurisdictions. *
• Acting for Airbnb in connection with the provision of local law advice on transport, alcohol, food, business licensing and public land laws. *
• Acting for Vodacom (South Africa) in connection with the provision of local telecommunications advice on the regulation of Point of Presence equipment and provision of internet services in Kenya. *
• Acting for a large British multinational chemicals company in connection with opposition proceedings instituted against a large British multinational car manufacturer, challenging the improper registration of an invalid trademark in Kenya and other key African jurisdictions. *
• Acting for Airbnb in connection with the provision of local law advice on transport, alcohol, food, business licensing and public land laws. *
• Acting for Vodacom (South Africa) in connection with the provision of local telecommunications advice on the regulation of Point of Presence equipment and provision of internet services in Kenya. *