Est. — Nairobi, Kenya
Dahir, Affey, Abdullahi & Associates
Advocates LLP
“Your Trusted Partners in Justice,
Innovation & Legal Excellence”
Nairobi Skyline
📍623 Wood Avenue Plaza, 8th Floor, Kilimani 📞+254 740 988 597 ✉️Info@daadvocates.co.ke 🌐www.daaadvocates.co.ke

Who We Are: Our Firm’s Identity & Philosophy

Dahir Affey Abdullahi & Associates is a premier boutique law firm based in Nairobi, Kenya, dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to a diverse clientele ranging from individuals and families to small businesses, large corporations, and government entities. We are a firm built on the pillars of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity.

As a boutique firm, we pride ourselves on offering specialised, high-quality legal services with a personalised touch. Our lean structure allows us to be agile, responsive, and deeply attentive to the unique needs of each client. We bring fresh perspectives to every case, challenging old assumptions and developing innovative strategies that deliver tangible results.

We believe that the law is a powerful tool for positive change. We are more than just legal practitioners — we are problem-solvers, advisors, and advocates dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients and the community at large.

Integrity
We conduct our business with the utmost honesty and transparency. Our word is our bond, and we hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in all our dealings with clients, opponents, and the courts.
Innovation
We embrace change and leverage new technologies and legal strategies to serve our clients better. We challenge conventional wisdom to find creative solutions that others cannot see.
Inclusivity
Our collaborative, inclusive culture ensures that every client matter benefits from the collective expertise of our entire team — diverse minds delivering outcomes that are rare in modern legal practice.

Our Vision, Mission & Core Values

Our Vision
To be a leading law firm in Kenya, recognized for our innovative approach, unwavering integrity, and unparalleled commitment to client success. We aspire to set the standard for legal excellence in East Africa and to be the first choice for clients seeking sophisticated, effective, and client-centred legal solutions.

Our Mission

Our mission is to deliver exceptional legal services that protect our clients’ interests, advance their goals, and contribute to a just and equitable society. We achieve this by: empowering our clients with clear, strategic, and actionable legal advice; advocating with passion, skill, and tenacity in every forum; innovating to find creative solutions to complex legal challenges; collaborating to ensure every matter benefits from our collective expertise; and upholding the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity.

Our Core Values

Integrity: We conduct our business with the utmost honesty and transparency. Our word is our bond, and we hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in all our dealings.
Excellence: We are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes — preparing meticulously, arguing persuasively, and leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice.
Innovation: We embrace change and leverage new technologies and legal strategies. We are not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom to find creative solutions.
Collaboration: By fostering a culture of collaboration, we ensure that every client benefits from the full range of expertise within our firm.
The DAA Difference
Why Choose
Dahir Affey
Abdullahi &
Associates?
We are a firm of energetic, forward-thinking advocates who bring new ideas and innovative strategies to every matter. We don’t just follow precedent — we analyze it, challenge it, and find ways to use it to your advantage. When you work with us, you engage the collective brainpower of our entire firm.
01
Fresh Perspectives & Dynamic Strategies
We don’t just follow precedent — we analyze it, challenge it, and find ways to use it to your advantage.
02
Deep & Diverse Expertise
Specialists in land, litigation, corporate, tax, and succession — our diversity handles multi-faceted matters with confidence.
03
Collaborative Team Approach
You engage the collective brainpower of our entire firm. We convene regularly to ensure every angle is covered.
04
Relentless Advocacy
Our passion for justice makes us relentless. Whether in negotiations, mediation, or the courtroom, we fight for your interests.
05
Personalised Client Service
Every client is unique. We take the time to understand your specific circumstances and tailor our approach accordingly.
06
Reputation for Integrity
We are committed to the highest degree of professionalism and ethical conduct. Our reputation for honesty is one of our most valued assets.
07
Cost-Effective Solutions
Mindful of the financial implications of legal proceedings, we are transparent about fees and deliver excellent value for your investment.
08
A Boutique Experience
Personalised attention and accessibility that larger firms cannot match. You always deal directly with experienced advocates who know your case.

Our Comprehensive Practice Areas

Our Comprehensive
Practice Areas

Dahir Affey Abdullahi & Associates offers a full spectrum of legal services. Our practice areas are interconnected, allowing us to provide holistic solutions to complex legal challenges.

Our team of specialists brings deep, complementary expertise across all major areas of Kenyan law. From the boardroom to the courtroom, from land transactions to constitutional petitions, we provide the skilled, strategic legal counsel you need. Each practice area is led by a partner with specialist knowledge, supported by our full collaborative team.

🏛️
Land Law, Conveyancing & Property Law
Conveyancing, due diligence, title investigation, land dispute resolution, leasehold management, and compulsory acquisition advisory.
⚖️
Constitutional & Administrative Law
Constitutional petitions, judicial review, human rights litigation, and public law advisory for compliance with constitutional principles.
🤝
Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Commercial disputes, torts, ADR (arbitration & mediation), insurance law, and enforcement of judgments — efficiently and tenaciously.
🔒
Criminal Litigation & Defence
Robust defence covering general matters, white-collar crime, land fraud, plea bargaining, police bond and bail applications.
📜
Succession Planning & Estate Administration
Wills, trusts, estate planning, Letters of Grant, contested succession, and cross-border estate issues handled with meticulous care.
🏢
Corporate & Commercial Law
Company formation, M&A, joint ventures, commercial contracts, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and restructuring advisory.
🌉
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) & Infrastructure
Structuring, negotiating, and implementing complex PPPs. Project finance, concession agreements, risk allocation, and ongoing advisory.
🏦
Banking & Finance Law
Financial transactions, lending documentation, regulatory compliance, debt restructuring, security perfection, and banking litigation.
📊
Tax Law & Advisory
Tax planning, KRA dispute resolution, tax litigation, transfer pricing, VAT, corporate income tax, and capital gains tax advisory.
🌿
Environmental Law & Land Use Planning
Environmental compliance, EIA, enforcement proceedings, land use planning appeals, and intersection of environmental and land law.
👥
Employment & Labour Relations
Employment contracts, workplace policies, ELRC representation, unfair termination, and collective bargaining advisory.
👨‍👩‍👧
Family Law
Divorce and separation, child custody, matrimonial property, adoption, guardianship, and protective orders — handled with sensitivity.

Meet Our Exceptional Team

At Dahir Affey Abdullahi & Associates, our people are our pride. We have assembled a team of accomplished advocates and consultants who are not only leaders in their respective fields but also passionate individuals dedicated to making a difference.

Abdulhakim Dahir — Managing Partner
Abdulhakim Dahir Sheikh
Managing Partner
Abdulhakim Dahir Sheikh is the visionary leader and managing partner of the firm. He provides strategic oversight on all major matters and is renowned for his sharp analytical mind, his mastery of constitutional arguments, and his ability to navigate complex legal and regulatory frameworks.
He has successfully represented clients in complex matters before the Environment and Land Court, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal. His areas of specialisation include constitutional law, land disputes, judicial review, and corporate governance. He is a sought-after speaker at legal forums and is widely respected for his commitment to mentoring young lawyers.

As Managing Partner, Abdulhakim is the firm’s strategic compass, bringing a razor-sharp analytical mind to the most complex constitutional and regulatory puzzles. From the High Court to the Court of Appeal, he is the advocate clients seek when the stakes are highest and the legal terrain is most unforgiving. Whether untangling high-value land disputes or advising on corporate governance, Abdulhakim’s reputation is built on a simple premise: clarity in chaos and victory in the courtroom.
Abdulwaheed Affey — Partner
Abdulwaheed Affey
Partner
Abdulwaheed Affey is a formidable advocate and a key partner at the firm, bringing a truly unique and invaluable background to the team. He offers a perspective few advocates can claim: a panoramic view of the law shaped by the high-stakes world of international diplomacy and legislative drafting.
Before entering private practice, Mr. Affey accumulated extensive experience in the realms of international law, diplomacy, and legislation-making. This rich background gives him a unique view of the legal landscape, allowing him to navigate complex matters with a deep understanding of both domestic and international frameworks.

As a commercial law expert, he brings a strategic and aggressive approach to advocacy, with a proven track record of securing favourable outcomes in high-stakes litigation and complex commercial disputes. He is known for his meticulous preparation, his compelling oratory, and his ability to think on his feet. A formidable partner known for his aggressive, strategic advocacy, he is the firm’s lead architect for commercial disputes where the stakes are high and the margins for error are zero. His expertise spans civil and commercial litigation, international law, legislative drafting and advisory, arbitration, and mediation. He is passionate about access to justice and frequently takes on pro bono cases to support vulnerable members of the community.
Omar Faruk Maalim — Partner
Omar Faruk Maalim
Partner
Omar Faruk Maalim is a vibrant litigator and a key partner whose energy in the courtroom is matched only by his skill at the negotiating table. He is widely recognized as an expert negotiator, having successfully represented clients in high-stakes negotiations involving complex commercial transactions, corporate restructure, infrastructure projects, and dispute resolution.
Omar specialises in the “heavy lifting” of the legal world: infrastructure, development, and complex regulatory compliance. He has a proven track record of steering multi-million-dollar projects from initial structuring to long-term implementation. His deep expertise includes the structuring, negotiation, and implementation of complex Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

He has advised government agencies, multinational corporations, and development finance institutions on significant projects. His expertise includes project finance, concession agreements, regulatory compliance, risk allocation, and providing ongoing legal advisories to clients in these sectors. He ensures that every project is legally sound, financially viable, and structured for long-term success, whether through litigation or strategic negotiation.
Maryam Maalim Abdullahi — Partner
Maryam Maalim Abdullahi
Partner
Maryam Maalim Abdullahi is a distinguished legal expert and a key partner in the firm. She is the firm’s authority on the bedrock of investment — property and land law — bringing specialised and deep expertise in both. She is exceptionally well-versed in the land laws and environmental laws of the country, offering clients a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework governing real property.
Known for a level of due diligence that leaves no stone unturned, Maryam is a distinguished partner who protects client assets at every stage of the lifecycle. She advises local and international clients on all aspects of property transactions, including company formations for land-holding entities, mergers and acquisitions involving real estate assets, joint ventures for property development, and corporate restructuring.

She is known for her meticulous attention to due diligence, her deep understanding of the intersection between land law and environmental compliance, and her ability to structure complex property deals that withstand scrutiny. Her expertise also extends to providing critical legal advisories on environmental regulations affecting land use and development.
Mohamud Abikar — Consultant
Mohamud Abikar
Consultant
Mohamud Abikar serves as a consultant to the firm, bringing a unique and highly valuable combination of expertise in public affairs and public sector advisory. With deep insight into government operations and legislative processes, Mr. Abikar provides invaluable strategic guidance to clients navigating the complexities of engaging with public institutions.
His expertise is particularly crucial for clients involved in public procurement, regulatory compliance, and projects requiring government approvals or concessions. His public affairs background allows the firm to offer clients a deeper understanding of the policy and regulatory environment.

For clients navigating the high-stakes world of public procurement and government concessions, Mohamud provides the contextual intelligence needed to move from a “legal possibility” to a “regulatory reality.” He ensures that our clients’ strategies are not just legally sound — they are politically and strategically unassailable.
Vincent Kyallo — Associate
Vincent Kyallo
Associate
Vincent Kyallo is a dynamic and dedicated associate advocate who brings energy, enthusiasm, and a sharp legal mind to our team. He is an all-round practitioner with precision in multiple core areas of law, including litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), commercial law, and conveyancing.
His versatility allows him to handle a diverse range of client needs with confidence and competence. In addition, Mr. Kyallo has developed particular expertise in labour law, advising both employers and employees on compliance, dispute prevention, and representation before the Employment and Labour Relations Court.

He is involved in all stages of the legal process, from initial client consultations and pleadings to hearings, appeals, and negotiated settlements. He is known for his tireless work ethic, his proficiency in legal research, and his ability to craft compelling written submissions. He is deeply committed to providing clients with the highest quality representation across all his practice areas.
Mercy Mwende — Office Administrator
Mercy Mwende
Office Administrator
Mercy Mwende is a seasoned administrator whose expertise ensures the smooth, efficient, and professional day-to-day operation of our firm. As our Office Administrator, she is often the first point of contact for our clients and plays a crucial role in creating a welcoming and professional environment.
What sets Mercy apart is her deep understanding of the legal field; she is currently pursuing a degree in law and is exceptionally well-versed in legal principles and legal practice management. Her unique combination of administrative acumen and legal knowledge allows her to manage the firm’s operations with an insider’s understanding of the demands of legal practice.

Her attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, and friendly demeanour ensure that all administrative and operational aspects function seamlessly, allowing our legal team to focus entirely on serving our clients.
Michelle Muiruri — Legal Assistant
Michelle Muiruri
Legal Assistant
Michelle Muiruri provides vital and high-level support to our team of advocates as a Legal Assistant. She is an exceptional legal professional with a strong command of the law and its application. Her responsibilities include conducting sophisticated legal research, drafting a wide array of legal documents and pleadings, and providing crucial support in case preparation.
Her areas of proficiency are broad and include contract law and drafting, where she ensures agreements are precise and protective of client interests; employment and labour law advisory, where she assists in developing compliant policies and handling disputes; and environmental law, where she supports the team in navigating regulatory frameworks.

Her dedication, strong work ethic, and keen intellect make her an invaluable member of our team. She is deeply committed to supporting the firm’s mission of delivering exceptional legal services and is a trusted resource to the advocates she supports.

Our Approach to Client Service

01
Listen First
We begin every client relationship by listening carefully to understand your unique situation, objectives, and concerns before offering any advice or strategy.
02
Strategic Analysis
We conduct a thorough analysis of the legal and factual landscape, identifying all risks, opportunities, and the most effective pathways to your goals.
03
Collaborative Planning
We involve you in the strategy process. The best outcomes emerge when the client’s business knowledge and our legal expertise work in close partnership.
04
Vigorous Execution
We execute agreed strategies with precision, tenacity, and the full weight of our collective expertise — in negotiations, mediation, or the courtroom.
05
Transparent Communication
We keep you informed at every stage with clear, jargon-free communication. You will always know where your matter stands and what the next steps are.
06
Value-Driven Billing
Our fee structures are transparent, fair, and designed to ensure you receive excellent value for your investment in legal representation.

Legal Insights & Thought Leadership

Our partners share their expertise through incisive commentary on the issues that matter most to our clients. The following articles reflect our commitment to advancing legal discourse in Kenya and East Africa.

Land Law
Digital Title Registration Under the Land Registration Act: Promise, Peril, and Practical Pitfalls
Kenya’s transition to the National Land Information Management System (NLIMS) has fundamentally transformed the mechanics of land ownership. While digitisation promises efficiency and transparency, it has introduced novel vulnerabilities: fraudulent digital transfers, data integrity disputes, and questions of evidential primacy. Practitioners must now advise clients to conduct simultaneous digital and physical registry searches, as system inconsistencies remain a live risk.
MA
Maryam Maalim AbdullahiPartner — Land Law & Property
Read Full Article →
Commercial Litigation
The Arbitration Clause as a Shield: Enforceability, Kompetenz-Kompetenz, and the Kenyan Courts
Following the Court of Appeal’s decision in Rift Valley Railways (Kenya) Ltd v Karuma & Another, the enforceability of arbitration clauses in Kenya has entered a new jurisprudential era. The doctrine of kompetenz-kompetenz — that arbitral tribunals may rule on their own jurisdiction — is now firmly entrenched. However, the courts have carved a crucial exception: where a clause is “null and void, inoperative or incapable of being performed,” judicial intervention remains appropriate.
AA
Abdulwaheed AffeyPartner — Commercial Litigation & ADR
Read Full Article →
Judicial Review as a Commercial Weapon: Leveraging Article 47 in Regulatory Disputes
The right to fair administrative action under Article 47 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, has evolved from a public law curiosity into a formidable instrument for commercial litigants. Regulatory bodies — from the Communications Authority to the Capital Markets Authority — are increasingly susceptible to judicial review where their decisions are arbitrary, irrational, or procedurally defective. The threshold of irrationality, drawn from Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation and affirmed in Kenyan jurisprudence, remains high but increasingly achievable.
AD
Abdulhakim DahirManaging Partner — Constitutional Law
Read Full Article →
PPP & Infrastructure
Structuring PPP Risk Allocation in Kenya: Lessons from the Nairobi Expressway and Beyond
Kenya’s Public Private Partnerships Act, 2021 introduced a more sophisticated framework for risk allocation than its predecessor. The Nairobi Expressway — structured under a Build-Operate-Transfer concession — demonstrated both the potential and the contractual complexity inherent in infrastructure PPPs. Demand risk, currency risk, and force majeure provisions remain the most heavily negotiated provisions, yet the most frequently misunderstood by public counterparties entering concession agreements.
OM
Omar Faruk MaalimPartner — PPP & Infrastructure
Read Full Article →
Corporate & Commercial
Directors’ Duties Under the Companies Act, 2015: The Business Judgment Rule and Its Limits
The Companies Act, No. 17 of 2015 codified directors’ duties for the first time in Kenyan statute, drawing heavily from the UK Companies Act 2006. Section 143 imposes a duty to act within powers; Section 144 demands promotion of company success. Crucially, the Act imports a version of the business judgment rule — yet Kenyan courts have been slow to articulate its precise boundaries. Recent derivative suits in the ELC and Commercial Court signal a more activist judicial posture towards board accountability.
AD
Abdulhakim DahirManaging Partner — Corporate Governance
Read Full Article →
Employment Law
Redundancy, Restructuring, and the “Fair Reason” Threshold Under the Employment Act
Section 40 of the Employment Act, 2007 imposes substantive and procedural obligations on employers seeking to effect redundancies. The Employment and Labour Relations Court has consistently held that compliance with the “fair reason” test is not merely technical — employers must demonstrate genuine operational necessity, meaningful consultation with the affected employees or their union, and adherence to “last in, first out” selection criteria absent justification for departure. Non-compliance exposes employers to declarations of unfair termination and compensation awards equivalent to twelve months’ gross pay.
AA
Abdulwaheed AffeyPartner — Employment & Labour
Read Full Article →
Public Interest Litigation in Kenya: Constitutional Architecture, Judicial Courage and the Grammar of Social Justice
A comprehensive constitutional analysis of PIL's evolution under Articles 22 and 258, examining landmark judgments from Mitu-Bell to Treatment Action Campaign, the justiciability of socio-economic rights, and the supervisory role of courts in structural injunctions. The most in-depth PIL analysis to emerge from Kenyan legal practice.
AD
Abdulhakim Dahir SheikhManaging Partner — Constitutional Law
Read Full Article →
The Sovereignty Paradox: A Critical Legal Deconstruction of the Sustainable Development Agenda and Global Governance
A forensic legal critique of the Agenda 2030 framework, the democratic deficit of multilateral institutions—IMF, World Bank, WEF—and the progressive hollowing of national sovereignty through soft-law conditionality, ESG convergence, and technocratic governance architecture. Examined through Kenya's constitutional sovereignty provisions.
AD
Abdulhakim Dahir SheikhManaging Partner — Constitutional & International Law
Read Full Article →
Project Finance
Project Finance in East Africa: Legal Structures, Security Packages and the Role of Development Finance Institutions
A practitioner’s analysis of project finance legal architecture in East Africa — from SPV structuring and intercreditor arrangements to DFI risk mitigation instruments and the enforcement of step-in rights under Kenyan law.
OF
Omar Faruk MaalimPartner — PPP & Infrastructure
Read Full Article →
Infrastructure Law
Concession Agreements in Kenya: Drafting for Bankability, Navigating Disputes and Protecting the Public Interest
A forensic examination of concession agreement architecture in Kenya’s infrastructure sector — covering government support obligations, revenue-sharing mechanisms, termination regimes, and the resolution of concession disputes through arbitration and expert determination.
OF
Omar Faruk MaalimPartner — PPP & Infrastructure
Read Full Article →
Kenya’s Public Procurement Regime: Legal Framework, Enforcement Architecture and the Fight Against Corruption
A rigorous analysis of the PPADA, 2015 — examining tender procedures, exclusion grounds, the PPARB review mechanism, and criminal liability exposure of public officers and tenderers under Kenya’s anti-corruption framework.
MA
Mohamud AbikarConsultant — Public Affairs & Public Sector Advisory
Read Full Article →
Regulatory Affairs
Engaging the Kenyan State: Regulatory Licensing, Government Approvals and the Legal Management of Public Sector Risk
A practitioner’s guide to Kenya’s regulatory landscape — covering sector licensing regimes, ESIA obligations, devolution complexities, the legal tools for managing political risk, and strategies for constructive engagement with public institutions.
MA
Mohamud AbikarConsultant — Public Affairs & Public Sector Advisory
Read Full Article →

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Get In Touch

📍
Our Office623 Wood Avenue Plaza, 8th Floor
Wood Avenue, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya

Office Hours

Monday – Friday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunday & Public HolidaysBy Appointment
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