Stephen Kiptinness

Managing Partner

: +254 (20) 2713977

: stephen@koassociates.co.ke

Stephen Kiptinness is a Co-founding Partner at KO Associates LLP. He Leads the Firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications and Intellectual Property Practice, with extensive experience in advising numerous local and multinational companies on health regulations in Kenya, data protection and privacy, artificial intelligence, and commercial and regulatory telecommunications advice, including fixed line, mobile, internet, and satellite. He is recognized by IFLR1000, and other legal directories as a Highly Recognized legal practitioner in Kenya. He has prepared advisories on different telecommunications Projects including international fiber optic infrastructure projects, co-location and hosting arrangements, and the provision of broadband capacity to existing property portfolios. Stephen has offered pragmatic advisories on the registration of trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and database rights, among other IP-related issues. These include negotiation and drafting of IP-related agreements such as transfer of technology rights, sponsorship agreements, franchising deals, supply and distribution agreements, equipment leasing agreements, site leasing agreements He is a member of the Law Society of Kenya, Institute of Certified Secretaries, Associate Fellow of the Society for Advanced Legal studies, UK (AFSALS) ,Member of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and Registered Patent Agent at the Kenya Industrial Property Institute.

Transaction Highlights

• Provided legal advisory services to Jubilee Health Insurance on data protection legal regime in Kenya and the formulation of key data protection policy documents which included a data protection policy, a data protection strategy and standard data protection clauses for contracts.
• Trained the senior management and staff of Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) on the compliance issues around data protection in Kenya for insurance and re-insurance companies.
• Undertaken legal due diligence and advised Poa Internet in the proposed merger with Taru Capital Limited and indirect acquisition of shares in the parent company of Poa Internet Kenya limited Poa International Limited based in Mauritius. This also included notification of the two proposed mergers to the Competition Authority of Kenya.
• Successfully represented Kentegra Biotechnology Company before Competition Authority of Kenya in the matter of alleged acquisition by INQO Investments.
• Successfully represented Quick Mart Limited before Competition Authority of Kenya in the matter of alleged Acquisition of stores of Choppies.
• Undertook legal due diligence by conducting in-depth review of M&A documents in relation to the acquisition by Adrian Group Limited of 40% Shareholding in Atlas Tower Kenya Limited.
• Advised the acquisition of the sports club by undertaking due diligence, review and assistance required with closing arrangements.

Education

• Registered Certified Public Secretary CPS(K) with ICPSK
• LLM, London School of Economics (2001)
• Postgraduate Diploma, Kenya School of Law (2000)
• Certificate in Human Resources Management, Kenya School of Law (2000)
• Diploma in Computer Science, Uptron Academy of Computer Learning (1997)
• S.L, L.L.B, I.L.S Law College, University of Pune (1999)

Languages

• English
• Kiswahili

Countries of work experience

• Kenya

Citizenship

• Kenya