Alex Kanyi
Alex Kanyi is a Partner in our Tax & Exchange Control, Dispute Resolution, and Corporate & Commercial practice areas. Alex has worked in Kenya and Ireland for clients with operations in Europe, Asia and Africa. He has extensive experience in tax structuring, tax dispute resolution, international tax advisory, risk management, restructuring, legal audits, legal due diligence, company secretarial, acquisitions, corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
![Alex Kanyi](/export/sites/cdh/images/people-banners/alex-kanyi.png)
About Alex
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.
Credentials
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
Languages
- English
- Swahili
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.
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
Experience
Australian mining company
Successfully represented an Australian mining company at the Tax Appeals Tribunal to defend an Income Tax assessment claim of USD 9.4 million
VAT assessment
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
Tax Appeals Tribunal
Successfully represented a Kenyan manufacturing company at the Tax Appeals Tribunal to defend a VAT assessment of USD 2.5 million
VAT assessment
Successfully represented an American multinational technology corporation to defend a VAT assessment at the Tax Appeals Tribunal.
Tax structuring
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.
Motor vehicle assembling company
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.
Insurance company
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.
Regional bank in Africa
Advised a tier one regional bank in Africa on the acquisition of a fund management and trustee firm
Buyer due diligence
Conducted a buyer due diligence and advised an Australian based company on acquisition of shares in a local dating company.
Voluntary liquidation
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.
Preference shares
Assisted a US based company on creation and allotment of preference shares after converting a USD 15 million loan to equity
News
![Not so special after all? An analysis of the impact of the Business Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 on taxation of Special Economic Zones](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-law-04.jpg)
Not so special after all? An analysis of the impact of the Business Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 on taxation of Special Economic Zones
Special Economic Zones (SEZ) were introduced in Kenya under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2015 with the intention of supporting the achievement of Kenya’s Vision 2030, and are primarily...
![Relief for tax-exempt projects: Court of Appeal finds section 13(2) of the Income Tax Act constitutional](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-05.jpg)
Relief for tax-exempt projects: Court of Appeal finds section 13(2) of the Income Tax Act constitutional
Imagine preparing a bid for a project and, while coming up with the costs, you are informed that you need not worry about certain costs because they are already catered for. You submit...
![Recent amendments to Kenya’s tax laws: Implications and impact](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-05.jpg)
Recent amendments to Kenya’s tax laws: Implications and impact
Kenya is entering a new chapter in its tax landscape, with significant reforms introduced through the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024 (Act), and the Tax Procedures (Amendment) (No....
![Strengthening ties: Unpacking the Kenya-Singapore 2024 double taxation agreement](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-law-03.jpg)
Strengthening ties: Unpacking the Kenya-Singapore 2024 double taxation agreement
On 20 August 2023, Kenya and Singapore entered into a bilateral investment treaty that aimed to foster trade and investment between the two countries through the protection of investments...
![Value-added tax in land transactions: Lessons from the Sayani Investments case](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-law-04.jpg)
Value-added tax in land transactions: Lessons from the Sayani Investments case
The charging of value-added tax (VAT) on the sale of land, whether developed or undeveloped, has long been a subject of contention in Kenya’s tax regime. In the recent case of Sayani...
![Webinar Recording | Tax outlook 2025: What's next for Kenya's tax landscape](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-law-04.jpg)
Webinar Recording | Tax outlook 2025: What's next for Kenya's tax landscape
Alex Kanyi and Lena Onyango, Partners in the Tax & Exchange Control practice hosted a webinar titled "Tax outlook 2025: What's next for Kenya's tax landscape"
![How can tax policy formulation help address issues affecting African women directly?](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-05.jpg)
How can tax policy formulation help address issues affecting African women directly?
In the latest episode of our CDH Conversations Empowerment Podcast Series, Lena and Alex, explore how tax policies can address economic and social challenges affecting African women.
![Finance Bill 2024 as the bill nears enactment](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-law-02.jpg)
Finance Bill 2024 as the bill nears enactment
Tax & Exchange control Partner, Alex Kanyi joined Nairobi senator, Edwin Sifuna, Chair of the Defence Committee, Nelson Koech and Chair, Finance & Planning Committee, Kuria Kimani...
![Webinar Recording | Kenya Budget Speech for the fiscal year 2024-2025](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-05.jpg)
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](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-law-04.jpg)
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.
![Podcast | How can tax policy formulation help address issues affecting African women directly?](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-law-02.jpg)
Podcast | How can tax policy formulation help address issues affecting African women directly?
In the latest episode of our CDH Conversations Empowerment Podcast Series, Lena and Alex, explore how tax policies can address economic and social challenges affecting African women.
![LISTEN | Tax proposals outlined in the recently unveiled Finance Bill 2024](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-law-03.jpg)
LISTEN | 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.
![An Analysis of the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023 vis a vis the High Court's Judgment and the ruling of the Court of Appeal](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-05.jpg)
An Analysis of the Affordable Housing Bill, 2023 vis a vis the High Court's Judgment and the ruling of the Court of Appeal
On 28 November 2023, The High Court of Kenya held that the housing levy as framed in Finance Act, 2023 is unconstitutional.
![Taxation of financial derivatives in Kenya](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-08.jpg)
Taxation of financial derivatives in Kenya
On 19 January 2023, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning made The Income Tax (Financial Derivatives) Regulations, 2023. These Regulations are intended...
![Tax Revenue Potential](/export/sites/cdh/images/news-thumbnails/tax-09.jpg)
Tax Revenue Potential
Alex Kanyi, Partner in the Tax & Exchange Control Practice at CDH Kenya recently discussed the internal revenue potential of counties in Kenya.
Market recognition
- 2025 ITR World Tax Rankings ranked Alex as 'Highly Regarded' in general corporate tax and tax controversy in Kenya.
- 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.
![](/export/system/modules/za.co.heliosdesign.cdh/resources/images/backgrounds/recognition-bg.jpg)
Market recognition
- 2025 ITR World Tax Rankings ranked Alex as 'Highly Regarded' in general corporate tax and tax controversy in Kenya.
- 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.
Expertise
![Tax & Exchange
Control](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/tax-02.jpg)
Tax & Exchange Control
Our experienced tax lawyers have in-depth understanding of the tax landscapes in South Africa and Kenya.
![Corporate &
Commercial Law](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/corporate-commercial-02.jpg)
Corporate & Commercial Law
Our strong legal team is well versed in legislative matters and provides support across all commercial disciplines.
![Dispute Resolution](/export/sites/cdh/images/gallery-expertise/dispute-04.jpg)
Dispute Resolution
Our lawyers work together with clients to find business-oriented dispute resolution solutions.