Lena Onyango
Lena Onyango is a Partner in our Tax & Exchange Control practice. She stands as a distinguished expert in the realm of law and taxation. With an extensive track record spanning over a decade, Lena brings to the table a wealth of progressive multi-disciplinary experience, particularly in the domains of domestic and international tax advisory, tax dispute resolution and advisory. Lena has masterfully engaged with the Kenya Revenue Authority and negotiated settlements, showcasing her prowess in dealing with the nuanced complexities of the tax landscape.
About Lena
About Lena
Lena started her career tax consultant at Viva Africa consulting, LLP, in 2012. In 2015 she joined Oraro and Company Advocates as a Senior Associate and then became in Partner in 2017. She later moved to ANL Law where she was a Partner.
Lena joined CDH as a Partner in our Kenya office in 2024.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- LLM in International and European Tax law from University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Diploma in law from the Kenya School of Law.
- LLB, Catholic University of East Africa .
- Certified Public Accountant (K).
Memberships
- Law Society of Kenya (LSK)
Languages
Languages
- English
About Lena
Lena started her career tax consultant at Viva Africa consulting, LLP, in 2012. In 2015 she joined Oraro and Company Advocates as a Senior Associate and then became in Partner in 2017. She later moved to ANL Law where she was a Partner.
Lena joined CDH as a Partner in our Kenya office in 2024.
Credentials
Education
- LLM in International and European Tax law from University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Diploma in law from the Kenya School of Law.
- LLB, Catholic University of East Africa .
- Certified Public Accountant (K).
Memberships
- Law Society of Kenya (LSK)
Languages
- English
Experience
Represented an international petroleum company and its related companies in an income tax appeal that involved a trademark dispute at the High Court.
Represented Vivo Energy (Kenya) Ltd in a Constitutional Petition that involved a Customs Duty assessment at the High Court.
Successfully represented a logistics company in an Income Tax Appeal assessment in the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
Successfully represented Braeburn Schools in an Income Tax Appeal assessment in the High Court.
Successfully negotiated with the KRA in a VAT and Excise Duty tax assessment on behalf of a manufacturing company.
Represented Mastermatch limited in an appeal at the Court of Appeal against a Customs Duty assessment.
Represented a real estate company in an appeal against a Judicial Review decision with an income tax aspect to it in the Court of Appeal.
Represented KRA in an appeal against a manufacturing company for Excise Duty assessment, at the Court of Appeal.
Represented a mining company in an appeal against VAT, Withholding Tax and Corporation Tax (resulting from an intercompany transaction) assessment at the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
Represented a manufacturing company in a Customs Duty dispute in the Court of Appeal.
Successfully represented a logistics company in an appeal against VAT assessment at the High Court.
Part of a team that undertook a legal audit of a leading telecommunications group in lieu of significant capital investment by global private equity investors.
Part of a team that advised a leading investment company on a securities restructuring and CMA licensing process.
Part of a team that reviewed and advised a domestic hospitality company’s construction and management contracts in an intended regional expansion.
Advised an international alternative energy company on residency issues revolving around its holding company.
Part of a team that undertook a legal and tax due diligence of a group involved in logistics and civil construction company.
Part of a team that undertook a tax and legal due diligence of a leading telecommunications group in lieu of significant capital investment by global private equity investors.
Part of a team that undertook a tax and legal due diligence of a pharmaceutical chain on a Merger and Acquisition transaction by a private equity firm.
News
Rethinking staff outsourcing contracts from a tax perspective
On 30 August 2024, the Tax Appeals Tribunal (Tribunal) delivered a judgment in Appeal E433 of 2024 (judgment), in which it held that the reimbursement of staff costs made by a charitable...
Lurking in the shadows: Understanding the often-overlooked capital gains tax in real estate transactions
Since its reintroduction in 2015, capital gains tax (CGT) has been somewhat overlooked by sellers and buyers in both land and realestatetransactions.
Temporary relief: Supreme Court suspends the Court of Appeal’s declaration of the Finance Act, 2023 as unconstitutional
The Supreme Court of Kenya (SC) has, through a ruling issued on 20 August 2024, suspended the Court of Appeal’s (CoA) judgment delivered on 31 July 2024, which had declared the entire...
I am not their keeper: An analysis of the impact of non-compliance with electronic tax invoice requirements and Section 17 of the VAT Act on the part of the seller or landlord in real estate transactions
Gone are the days when a buyer or tenant of real estate property only worried about the purchase price or rent. Tax compliance, on the part of the seller, now seems to be a burden...
Public participation is the fulcrum upon which the constitutionality of legislation rests: An analysis of the recent Court of Appeal decision nullifying the Finance Act, 2023
The Court of Appeal of Kenya (CoA), through its judgment issued on 31 July 2024, declared the entire Finance Act, 2023 (Act) unconstitutional. Details of what was contained in the...
Webinar Recording | Kenya Budget Speech for the fiscal year 2024-2025
This morning CDH Tax & Exchange Control Partner's Alex Kanyi and Lena Onyango were joined by Ruth Kendagor, Head Researcher at Institute of Public Finance, and Julians Amboko, Business...
WATCH | Tax proposals outlined in the recently unveiled Finance Bill 2024
On 16 May 2024, CDH Kenya hosted a breakfast forum for a diverse group of industry leaders from sectors including banking and finance, private equity, logistics, betting, and education.
Analysis of the contentious Finance Bill 2024
Lena Onyango, Partner in our Tax & Exchange Control practice joined Michelle Ngele Odhiambo on the New Dawn show on K24 Tv to provide an analysis of the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
Webinar recording | The Advent of eTIMS Addressing the pain points
Our CDH Kenya team held an exclusive insightful discussion on the Advent of eTIMS: Addressing the pain points.
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2022, 2023 and 2024 ranking as an "Up and Coming" figure, celebrated for her advocacy in tax-related disputes.
- "Leading Woman in Tax in Kenya" during the commemoration of International Women's Day in 2021 and 2022 by KRA.
Market recognition
- Chambers Global 2022, 2023 and 2024 ranking as an "Up and Coming" figure, celebrated for her advocacy in tax-related disputes.
- "Leading Woman in Tax in Kenya" during the commemoration of International Women's Day in 2021 and 2022 by KRA.