Alex Kanyi
About Alex
Alex has worked with KPMG East Africa in various capacities and was its Regulatory Services business lead in East Africa for six years up to 2022. He has also worked in KPMG Ireland in 2019-2020 as Manager, Legal Services. In 2022, Alex joined Kieti Law LLP as a Partner.
Areas of expertise
Experience
Successfully represented an Australian mining company at the Tax Appeals Tribunal to defend an Income Tax assessment claim of USD 9.4 million
Successfully represented a French based company at the Tax Appeals Tribunal and at the High Court to defend a VAT assessment of USD 2.1 million
Successfully represented a Kenyan manufacturing company at the Tax Appeals Tribunal to defend a VAT assessment of USD 2.5 million
Successfully represented an American multinational technology corporation to defend a VAT assessment at the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
Advised another Japanese company on the tax structuring of an EPC contract to build an 83 MW geothermal power plant. The project was sponsored by JICA and was commissioned in 2022.
Advised a global motor vehicle assembling company based in France on optimising the tax implications on restructuring their operations in East Africa through an asset transfer deal.
Advised a local insurance company on the tax structuring for the carve-out of their life insurance business. Specifically advised on the tax considerations in the Portfolio Transfer Agreement, Business Transfer Agreement and the Business Separation Agreement and Corporate Restructuring Agreement.
Advised a tier one regional bank in Africa on the acquisition of a fund management and trustee firm
Conducted a buyer due diligence and advised an Australian based company on acquisition of shares in a local dating company.
Carried out the first voluntary liquidation in Kenya under the new Insolvency Act in collaboration with the Official Receiver. The members voluntary liquidation was for a local telecommunications company.
Assisted a US based company on creation and allotment of preference shares after converting a USD 15 million loan to equity
Recognition
- Chambers Global 2025 - 2026 ranked Alex as "Up & Coming" for Tax.
- 2025 - 2026 ITR World Tax Rankings ranked Alex as 'Highly Regarded' in general corporate tax and tax controversy in Kenya.
- Alex won 1st Runner-Up in the Commercial/Conveyancing Practitioner of the Year category at the Nairobi Legal Awards 2025.
- Gold Standard Award for Young People, President’s Award
- Silver Standard Award for Young People, President’s Award
- Alex was named Commercial Lawyer of the Year, 2023 , at the 6th Annual Nairobi Legal Awards
- Alex was named as 1st runner up for Pupil Master of the Year, in the 5th Annual Nairobi Legal Awards.
Credentials
Education
- Masters of Laws (LL.M), International Trade and Investments Law, University of Nairobi (ongoing)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Kenya School of Law
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (2nd Class Honours, Upper), Moi University
- Certified Public Secretary
- Certified Public Accountant
- Certificate, Legal Audit, Kenya School of Law
- Certified Trainer, Africa Facilitators Accreditation Program, KPMG
Memberships
- Law Society of Kenya
- Institute of Certified Secretaries
- Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya
LANGUAGES
- English
- Swahili
