This will be conducted in English and according to Nairobi local time. 

Legal Plus is delighted to host the inaugural event in Africa this September!! 

The Africa: 1st International Arbitration & ADR Summit — Nairobi will take place on Thursday 18 September 2025 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill.  We will have a group of local and international speakers at the summit whom will be presenting on various topics in relations to international arbitration and corporate crime as well as share the upcoming trends and provide updates to assist businesses to avoid arbitration.  It will also be an excellent platform to mingle with fellow legal professionals in the region.  For more information, please refer to the flyer.  Download

Registration is now open.  We are offering complimentary pass to in-house legal professional (non law/consulting firm only) and discounted rate is available for law / consulting firms.  For more information, please refer to the registration below. 

If you are interested to sponsor or speak at the event, contact Jason at jason.sinclair@legalplus-asia.com for package details.  For registrations details, contact Bettina at legalpluseventsasia@legalplus-asia.com.

Program
The organiser reserves the right to change the program without prior notice.

• Welcome Address by Chairman
  Saad Hegazy, Trustee, Ciarb; Managing Partner, Resolve
• Welcome Address by Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) and NCIA Updates for 2025-2026
  Dr. Henry Kinyanjui Murigi, CEO & Registrar, Nairobi Centre for nternational Arbitration (NCIA)
  
• Keynote Session: The Critical Role of Arbitration in Complex International Transactions
  David Brynmor Thomas KC, International Arbitrator & Mediator
• Investor State Dispute Settlement in International Construction Projects
  Noella Lubano, Partner, Oraro & Company Advocates
  
• 1st Grand Panel: Art of Negotiation: Tactical Issues in Why Arbitration, Why Mediation and Why Not?
  Moderator: Leonora Riesenburg Independent Chartered Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator, INTADR DMCC
  Panellists:
  • Samuel Mbiriri Nderitu, Founding Partner, Mbiriri Ngugi & Coady
  •Justice Joyce Aluoch, EBS, CBS (Rtd)Judge, Certified International Mediator, Accredited Mediator (CEDR-London)
  MCIArb London & Kenya
  • John Mbaluto, Deputy Managing Partner, Oraro & Company Advocates
  
• The Role of the Court and Practical Considerations for In House Counsel
  The Hon. Mr. Justice Aleem Visram, Judge, High Court of Kenya, Kenya Judiciary
  
• 2nd Grand Panel: Enforcement & Invalidity of Awards:Understanding Arbitration Clauses & Monetising an Award — Geopolitical Risks & Regional Issues to Consider
  Moderator:  Victor Leginsky, Independent Arbitrator, Arbitralis
  Panellists:
  • Prof. Kenneth Wyne, Chairman, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya)
  • Prof. Githu Muigai, Senior Partner, Mohammed Muigai LLP
  • Leonora Riesenburg Independent Chartered Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator, INTADR DMCC
• Importance of Understanding African Cultural Dynamics in International Arbitration
  Sadaff Habib, Independent Arbitrator, Equanimity Arbitration
• 3rd Grand Panel: Construction Disputes in Africa: Expert Witness, Damages, Quantum & Supply Chain Issues
  Moderator: David Brynmor Thomas KC, International Arbitrator & Mediator
  Panellists:
  • Tania Siciliano, Partner, Fasken
  • Mercy Okiro, Chairman, National Construction Authority Board of Directors
  • Marcus Khoury, Head of Legal, Averda
• 4th Grand Panel: Energy Charter Treaty, ESG, LNG, Pricing and Compliance: Avoiding Inevitable Disputes and Understanding Changes of Circumstances
  Moderator: Sadaff Habib, Independent Arbitrator, Equanimity Arbitration
  Panellists:
  • Victor Leginsky, Independent Arbitrator, Arbitralis
  • Wangechi K. Kariuki, CEO & Strategic Partnerships/Sustainability Lead WePact Global
  • Marcus Khoury, Head of Legal, Averda, UAE
  • CS Ibrahim Kitoo, Corporation Secretary & General Counsel, Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority
  
• 5th Grand Panel: Corporate Fraud & Investigations in the Region: Tracing Assets & Digital Issues
  Moderator: Laura Lusiji, Director, JMiles & Co.
  Panellists:
  • Freyda Owino, Senior Consultant, East Africa, Control Risks
  • Esther Kago, Data Protection, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, Eastern Africa
  • Parag Shah, Partner – Head of Advisory, Grant Thornton East Africa
  • Ugonna Ogbuagu, Partner, AELEX

Speakers

Saad Hegazy, Chairman

Trustee, Ciarb; Managing Partner, Resolve

Saad has more than 20 years’ experience. He is an arbitrator, CEDR accredited mediator, testified delay and quantum expert, member of the Academy of Experts and expert determinator, based in the Middle Est. He has lived and worked in the UAE, KSA and Qatar. His formal education includes a BSc in civil engineering, a MSc in strategic project management, and an LLM in construction law and international arbitration. He has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge having worked on airports, metros, infrastructures, industrials, oil & gas, water treatment, utilities, luxuries and high rise buildings. He has participated in over 30 Arbitration cases, as Counsel, Arbitrator and advisor. Saad has been instructed as party or tribunal appointed expert in arbitration proceedings under ICC, DIAC, QICCA, LCIA, and ADHOC rules as well as independent expert in litigation proceedings in matters involving large and complex projects with disputes values in excess of US$ 2bn. He is a testified and been cross examined in both English and Arabic. He is the Trustee of the Charted Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) for the MENA region, the Pat President of the AACE Qatar Branch, and the previous ICC YAF MENA regional representative. Saad is a Fellow of the Charted Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Expert Witness of the Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors (MRICS), CEDR accredited Mediator and Arbitrator listed at ICC, Ciarb, SCCA, DIAC, QICCA, BDAC, AAC, and W&W rosters with various arbitration appointments.

Biography

Dr. Henry Kinyanjui Murigi, Welcome Address

CEO & Registrar, Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA)

Dr. Henry Kinyanjui Murigi is a distinguished legal professional, academic, and thought leader with over a decade of experience in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation, arbitration, and litigation. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre, Dr. Murigi has a wealth of expertise in managing complex legal disputes, fostering international collaboration, and promoting access to Justice. With a robust background in domestic and international dispute resolution, inter-agency collaboration, and academic instruction, Dr. Murigi has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership in both the public and private sectors. His academic contributions include the publication of Faith- Based Access to Justice in Kenya (2023) and several publications. As a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Law Society of Kenya, Dr. Murigi is deeply committed to advancing the field of arbitration both locally and internationally. His vision for the NCIA is to position Nairobi as a leading hub for international arbitration, fostering sustainable development, peace, and justice through innovative dispute resolution mechanisms. Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Murigi is actively engaged in community service, serving as a mentor, board chairman, and volunteer teacher. Under Dr. Murigi’s leadership, the Centre is poised to expand its global footprint, enhance its service offerings, and contribute to the growth of international arbitration in Africa and beyond.

Biography

David Brynmor Thomas KC, Keynote Speaker & Moderator - 3rd Grand Panel

David Brynmor Thomas is King’s Counsel of England and Wales and now exclusively sits as a leading international commercial arbitrator and mediator. He is also an honorary professor of law in the School of International Arbitration at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at Queen Mary University of London where he teaches International Construction Contracts and Arbitration. David has more than 30 years of experience in international arbitration in which he has been arbitrator or counsel in over 30 jurisdictions globally. David has been appointed in over 70 disputes as sole, party-appointed or presiding arbitrator in ad hoc and institutional commercial arbitrations. He is presently sitting in arbitrations in a range of seat arising from EPC contracts for infrastructure projects, Upstream Energy projects and general commercial and investment disputes.

Biography

Leonora Riesenburg, Moderator - 1st Grand Panel

Independent Chartered Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator, INTADR DMCC

Leonora Riesenburg is an Independent Chartered Arbitrator and Accredited Mediator at INTADR DMCC, Dubai, and an International Tenant at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square in London. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), a Fellow of Asian Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution (AIADR), and stands as a leading figure in international arbitration, mediation and adr in Middle East, Asia, and the UK. Leonora specialises in complex disputes across key sectors, notably in investment, infrastructure, construction, real estate, joint ventures, banking and finance, and receives routine Chairmanship appointments. Her affiliations with prestigious arbitral institutions—among them the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC, ADCCAC, SCCA, MIAC, AIADR—further solidify her standing as a leading figure in international arbitration. Leonora’s leadership is reflected in her previous roles as Branch Chair of CIArb UAE, as an Elected Member of the Board of Management for CIArb London, and member of DIFC Courts Arbitration Division Working Group. She is a member of LCIA Arabs Users’ Council and a member of the Swiss Arbitration Association. Leonora is a highly in demand faculty member for the CIArb globally and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the MENA Region and in the UK, playing a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of dispute resolution practitioners. Her global influence extends through her service with leading institutions worldwide, including in Asia, the Governing Council of the Hyderabad Arbitration Centre (HAC) in India as well as the Global Advisory Panel for Musaliha International Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MICADR) in Pakistan.

Biography

Victor Leginsky, Moderator - 2nd Grand Panel

Independent Arbitrator, Arbitralis

Victor P. Leginsky, Canadian citizen, is an experienced international arbitrator and mediator resident in the United Arab Emirates since 2007. Victor has earned the internationally-recognized designations of Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and is appointed to the CIArb Panel of Arbitrators. Victor is a CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, London) accredited mediator and mediation experience as Chair, Manufactured Home Park Dispute Resolution Committee (Attorney General of British Columbia, Canada, appointment) and in mediations. Victor is appointed to the panels or lists of arbitrators in a number of international centres and is a committee member of the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) Canada. He has instructed and assessed in respect of Mediation though the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the CIArb. He is the past Middle East Regional Director of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN). He is a member in good standing of the Law Society of British Columbia, Canada.

Biography

Sadaff Habib, Moderator - 4th Grand Panel

Independent Arbitrator, Equanimity Arbitration

Sadaff Habib is an independent arbitrator. Born and raised in Kenya with Indian roots, she is qualified as an attorney in New York. Sadaff has extensive experience in international arbitration, including disputes involving construction, infrastructure, property, commercial, desalination plants, and solar power projects. Prior to going independent, Sadaff worked with international law firms such as Beale & Co and Fenwick Elliott. Sadaff is recognized as a Future Leader by Who’s Who Legal and is also ranked in Who’s Who Legal as a Global Elite Thought Leader. She also holds a ranking in the Legal 500 Middle East Construction, where she is acknowledged for building a reputable presence in international arbitration as an arbitrator.

Biography

Laura Lusiji, Moderator — 5th Grand Panel

Director, JMiles & Co.

Laura is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, with 9 years’ experience in dispute resolution, with particular focus on international arbitration matters. She has represented clients and sat as Tribunal Secretary in international arbitrations under the auspices of LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, UNCITRAL ad-hoc arbitrations and FOSFA international rules. She also offers training on international arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. She was recently part of the JMiles Team that trained the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission in Kenya, on different forms of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. She has also been called upon to speak on multiple aspects surrounding domestic and international arbitration at international arbitration conferences and forums. She is involved in advisory work on a wide range of legal matters. Notably, she was part of the expert inter-governmental committee (in conjunction with the Business Registration Service of Kenya) that drafted the Companies (Beneficial Ownership Information) Regulations which were passed into law in 2020. She also conducted, on behalf of the London Stock Exchange and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum in Kenya, a gap analysis comparing Kenyan legislation against internationally set standards on matters ESG. Laura is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration, representing the Law Society of Kenya. She has previously sat as committee member of the Law Society of Kenya’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2022 – 2024), and the Law Society of Kenya’s taskforce for policy and legal reforms.

Biography

Noella Lubano

Partner, Oraro & Company Advocates

Noella is a Partner at Oraro & Company Advocates and a recognised Dispute Resolution and Arbitration expert. With 17 years of experience, she specialises in the tracing and recovery of assets, banking disputes, commercial litigation, construction and technology disputes, but is well regarded for her international arbitration and insolvency & restructuring expertise. Her outstanding work has been consistently recognised by leading legal directories, including Legal 500 and Chambers Global. In 2024, Chambers Global quoted clients who described her as “a terrific lawyer who impresses with her practical and solution-oriented advice.” Additionally, she is featured in The Legal 500 ‘Arbitration Powerlist: Africa 2023’ and was named one of ‘Africa’s 30 Most Promising Arbitrators 2022’ by the Association of Young Arbitrators and recently recognized as a Future Leader under the prestigious ‘Arbitration Future Leaders - Partners’ category by Lexology. A sought-after speaker, Noella has delivered talks on international arbitration across multiple jurisdictions, including Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and Austria. Noella holds an LLM from the University of Cape Town, a Post-graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, and an LLB from the University of Nairobi. She is a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Law Society of Kenya, the East Africa Law Society, LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration) African Users’ Council and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Biography

John Mbaluto

Deputy Managing Partner, Oraro & Company Advocates

John is the Deputy Managing Partner at Oraro & Company Advocates and a key member of the Dispute Resolution practice group, specialising in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and litigation. With over 17 years of experience, he has advised and represented both local and international clients in employment and labour law, pension law, construction law, banking and commercial disputes, and constitutional law. John has worked extensively across diverse industries, including construction, education, financial services, insurance, and transport & logistics. He is particularly well regarded for his expertise in advising employee associations and trade unions in landmark and high-profile disputes. With a strong interest in arbitration, John has acted in numerous domestic commercial arbitrations, representing clients such as the Central Bank of Kenya, Kenya Medical Association, Housing Co-operative Society Limited, Jubilee Insurance Company of Kenya Limited, and Toyota Kenya Limited in arbitral proceedings. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, reinforcing his professional standing in the field. In addition to his dispute resolution practice, John has a growing focus on data protection and compliance. He has completed Data Protection and Compliance Training from Lawyers Hub and the Africa Digital Policy Institute, equipping him with expertise in regulatory and compliance matters in the digital space. Beyond his legal practice, John led the firm’s Publications Committee, overseeing the successful publication of 20 issues of Oraro & Company Advocates’ flagship newsletter – Legal & Kenyan.

Biography

Freyda Owino

Senior Consultant, East Africa, Control Risks

Freyda is a Senior Consultant at Control Risks, where she leads the firm’s Business Intelligence practice in East Africa. She specializes in asset tracing and complex investigations to support arbitration, litigation, and enforcement strategy across the continent. Freyda has worked extensively in opaque and fragmented information environments, unpacking layered ownership structures, identifying off-the-books assets, and tracing funds across borders in support of high-stakes commercial disputes. She brings a deep understanding of regional context, financial secrecy, and the realities of pursuing recovery in jurisdictions where formal records are limited or unreliable. With over eight years’ experience advising multinationals, legal teams, and investors, she combines legal insight with investigative rigor to help clients navigate reputational, financial, and political risk. Freyda is a Certified Fraud Examiner. She holds an LL.B from Strathmore University and is pursuing a Master’s in Corruption and Governance at the University of Sussex.

Biography

Prof. Kenneth Wyne

Chairman, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya)

Prof. Kenneth Wyne Mutuma is a distinguished legal and governance expert with over 23 years of professional experience. He holds a Doctorate and Master’s in Law, an LLB, and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the University of Nairobi. A Chartered Arbitrator (CIArb – London), he is also a Certified Professional Mediator, Fellow Certified Secretary, and Certified Governance Auditor. Prof. Wyne is the current Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya) and is an active member of several professional bodies including the Law Society of Kenya, the Architectural Association of Kenya, the East African Law Society, the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS), and the Mediation Accreditation Committee. He is accredited by international arbitration panels such as the NCIA, LCIA, AFSA, KIAC, LIAC, and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. An accomplished academic, Prof. Wyne was named Law Teacher of the Year in 2024. He has published widely in International Law, ADR, and corporate governance, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Eastern Africa Journal on International Humanitarian Law and the Corporate Governance Journal (ICS), and Associate Editor-in-Chief of the ADR Journal.

Biography

Tania Siciliano

Partner, Fasken

Tania is a leading commercial litigator in South Africa with a particular focus on technical disputes within the areas of construction and engineering, insolvency and business rescue, company law, product liability and life sciences. Tania acts for local and international construction companies as well as companies providing ancillary services to the construction industry. She has experience in litigation, arbitration, and dispute adjudication on bespoke contracts as well as on all the standard form contracts, including the FIDIC Suite of Contracts, NEC, the JBCC Contract and the MBSA Domestic Sub-contract Agreement and has arbitrated in terms of both AFSA and the Association of Arbitrators Rules as well as the ICC and UNCITRAL Rules for arbitration. She has acted on behalf of creditors in applications for liquidation and in respect of companies placed under supervision in business rescue as well as on behalf of third parties in exercising reservation of ownership clauses and executing contracts concluded with companies prior to being placed under supervision in business rescue. She has also acted on behalf of various financial institutions, employers and main contractors in major infrastructure projects in the enforcement of rights under performance bonds and guarantees where insolvency or business rescue is imminent. Tania also represents international pharmaceutical companies in product liability cases relating to medicines, including anesthetics, antiretrovirals and other medicines, as well as medical devices. She is admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa and as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales. Tania does her own appearances and has appeared before various Dispute Adjudication Boards and Arbitral Tribunals (including both sole and three—member panels), in domestic as well as international proceedings in the United Kingdom and Rwanda.

Biography

Prof. Githu Muigai

Senior Partner, Mohammed Muigai LLP

Prof. Githu Muigai, SC, C.Arb is a proficient and highly regarded Arbitrator based in Nairobi, with over 35 years’ experience in handling arbitral proceedings domestically, regionally and internationally pursuant to various arbitration rules including the PCA Rules, ICSID Rules, ICC Rules, UNCITRAL Rules, LCI. He is a Chartered Arbitrator of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK and Kenya), a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and a redesignate to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) panel of Arbitrators and of Conciliators. He is the Vice President of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) African User’s Council; a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Africa Arbitration Association (AAA), Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC) and the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) amongst several other global institutions. He is frequently appointed as President of the arbitral tribunal or as sole arbitrator in arbitral proceedings and continues to be retained as counsel for either disputing party in international arbitral proceedings. A published author, he has written and edited several arbitration texts, most recently co-editing “The Handbook on Arbitration in Kenya” (2025) with Prof. Kenneth Wyne Mutuma.

Biography

Parag Shah

Partner – Head of Advisory, Grant Thornton East Africa

Parag Shah is an experienced financial advisory and tax expert with over 20 years of experience across various sectors. As Partner and Head of Advisory at Grant Thornton Kenya, he leads services in transaction advisory, corporate finance, internal audits, forensic investigations, and related consulting. Parag also spearheads the litigation support and dispute advisory service line, providing expert witness testimony in complex disputes for both claimants and defendants in court and arbitration settings. His expertise encompasses business valuations, feasibility studies, corporate structuring, and comprehensive financial and tax planning.

Biography

Ugonna Ogbuagu

Partner, ǼLEX

Ugonna Ogbuagu is a Partner in ǼLEX’s Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He has years of experience advising and representing multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government agencies in complex domestic and international disputes across a wide range of industries, including construction, energy, financial services, insurance, and technology. He has acted as counsel in high-stakes arbitration and litigation matters, often involving cross-border elements and multi-million-dollar claims. Recently, he successfully represented a project owner in arbitration proceedings arising from a construction dispute with a developer. He continues to act for the project owner in related proceedings before the Nigerian courts, having not only secured enforcement of the arbitral award in favour of the project owner but also obtained the dismissal of the developer’s application to set aside the award. Currently, Ugonna is representing one of Nigeria’s largest general insurance companies in a multi-million-dollar dispute with a commercial bank concerning an alleged breach of an insurance policy. His track record in handling complex insurance and financial sector disputes has positioned him as a trusted advisor to leading industry players. Beyond arbitration, Ugonna regularly advises clients on risk management, dispute avoidance strategies, and the enforcement of arbitral awards and foreign judgments in Nigeria. He also represents clients in investigations involving financial fraud, corruption, tax evasion, and regulatory compliance. Ugonna’s expertise and client-focused approach have earned him recognition by leading international directories. He has been ranked by The Legal 500 as a Rising Star in Dispute Resolution in Nigeria and by ITR World Tax as a Highly Regarded Individual in Tax Controversy in Nigeria. He is an active member of professional associations, including the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Fiscal Association (IFA). He regularly speaks on arbitration, dispute resolution, and tax controversies, contributing to thought leadership in these practice areas.

Biography

Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch

EBS, CBS (Rtd) Judge, Certified International Mediator, Accredited Mediator (CEDR-London) MCIArb London & Kenya

Prior to her election as a Judge of the ICC, she served as a judge of the Court of Appeal, High Court, and Magistrate in Kenya, being the second woman to serve on the Kenyan bench. She finally retired in 2018, after 44 years of judicial service, 35 in Kenya and 9 at the ICC. Upon retirement, she successfully moved her legal profession to ADR, particularly mediation, which she conducts at international, regional, and national levels. From 2022 to 2024, she served as a member of the Judicial Reform Committee under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and prepared a report containing recommendations for judicial reforms which was handed over to President Salva Kiir Mayardit at State House -Juba on 20th December 2024. As the Patron of Women in ADR-Kenya, she organizes annual InterVarsity ADR Moot Court Competitions(named after her), to train and mentor the youth in ADR. Currently a Moot Competition involving 17 Universities is ongoing, the main aim being how to use ADR to resolve trade disputes under AfCFTA.

Biography

The Hon. Mr. Justice Aleem Visram

Judge, High Court of Kenya, Kenya Judiciary

The Hon. Mr. Justice Aleem Visram, FCIArb was appointed as Judge of the High Court on 7th December 2022. He is presently attached to the Commercial and Tax Division, Nairobi, Milimani. Prior to his appointment to the Bench, Judge Aleem Visram was the founder and principal lawyer at Visram & Co. Advocates. Judge Aleem Visram qualified as an advocate of the High Court in Kenya in the year 2009 and as a Barrister and Solicitor in Canada in 2014. He is a London and Kenya based accredited Tutor at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and was a Court Annexed Mediator of the Kenya Judiciary. Prior to his appointment, Judge Aleem Visram was also an adjunct lecturer at the Strathmore School of Law, where he founded and taught a module on International Commercial Arbitration. Judge Aleem Visram is the former Chairperson of the Arbitration and ADR Commission, ICC Kenya; Nominations Commission for ICC Kenya; and is presently the Chairperson of the Mediation Committee in the Commercial and Tax Division, High Court of Kenya.

Biography

Samuel Mbiriri Nderitu

Founding Partner, Mbiriri Ngugi & Co

Nderitu is an advocate in the Kenyan Bar and a founding Partner of Mbiriri Ngugi & Co. He is a highly skilled Arbitrator, Mediator and commercial law practitioner with right of audience in the Astana International Financial Centre Court (AIFC Court) and International Arbitration Centre (IAC), Kazakhstan. In 2023, he was recognized by the Law Society of Kenya as the 1st Runner up ADR practitioner of the Year. Nderitu is quite active in the ADR space and was privileged to serve as the Chair of CIArb, Kenya Branch (2019-2021) and in the National Committee of International Chamber of Commerce, Kenya. He is currently a Member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) African Users’ Council, Board member of the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA), Advisory Board member for ODR Africa Network and Musaliha International Center for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MICADR), Pakistan. He is also accredited as a trainer and examiner of Arbitration and mediation. Nderitu is in the panel of Arbitrators and mediators at the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration, CIArb Kenya and the China Maritime Arbitration Commission. His service extends to being a member of Law Society of Kenya CPD Committee and also Convenor of the ADR Committee.

Biography

Marcus Khoury

Head of Legal, Averda

Marcus Antoine Khoury is Head of Legal at Averda. Marcus has been working as an inhouse legal counsel in the construction industry in the GCC, in particular in Saudi Arabia and in the UAE, for the past 20 years. He is both German and Lebanese and has graduated at the Sorbonne in Paris and the Universities of Cologne and Munich. In his spare time Marcus loves to hike and considers having walked more than 1000 km to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela as one of his greatest experiences.

Biography

Esther Kago

Data Protection, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, Eastern Africa

Esther Kago is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a strong background in legal compliance, risk, and data protection across multiple sectors including finance, technology, healthcare, and education. She has worked with leading organizations in Africa and beyond, advising on regulatory compliance, fraud risk, and digital vulnerabilities. Esther is well-versed in Kenyan, African, and Asian data protection regimes, as well as the GDPR, and has led projects involving data audits, risk assessments, breach response, and governance frameworks. Her work often intersects with fraud prevention and investigations, particularly in designing systems that strengthen accountability, safeguard corporate assets, and enable lawful digital operations. She has also conducted organizational training and capacity-building on risk and compliance, equipping leaders to detect red flags, respond to incidents, and navigate complex regulatory landscapes. Esther brings practical insights on tracing assets and managing digital issues within corporate fraud investigations.

Biography

Mercy Okiro

Chairman, National Construction Authority Board of Directors

Mercy Okiro brings over a decade of post-admission experience to her practice. She has served as the sole arbitrator, mediator, and construction adjudicator in disputes across various industries. Mercy is a member of the panels of neutrals for several local and regional institutions. In 2019, she was honoured as “The Young African Arbitration Practitioner of the Year 2019”; she was also listed as one of Africa’s Most Promising Young Arbitrators in 2020, 2021, and 2022 by the Association of Young Arbitrators. Additionally, she was named second runner-up as ADR Practitioner of the Year in 2021 by the Law Society of Kenya, Nairobi Branch. In 2023, she received the Jury’s Award for her contributions to ADR from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Kenya. She is the current Chairperson of the board of the National Construction Authority in Kenya and an adjunct faculty member of the Kenya School of Law and Strathmore University. Mercy is an active member of the arbitration community, sitting on the Council of the Association of Young Arbitrators and serving as an Advisory Board member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (Young Arbitrators Network), as well as a Steering Committee Member of Equality for Representation in Arbitration, Africa. She was an ICC YAAF Representative for Africa and the MENA region, sat on the Steering Committee of the Young Members Group of CIArb London, and was the founding Chair of the Young Members Group of CIArb Kenya. She also served as an Ambassador for the Alliance for Equality in Dispute Resolution, Arbitrator Intelligence, and Racial Equality for Arbitration Lawyers (REAL). Mercy’s academic background includes a Master of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Nairobi, a Master of Laws degree in International Commercial and Investment Arbitration from Queen Mary University of London an Oxford Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration.

Biography

Wangechi K. Kariuki

CEO & Strategic Partnerships/Sustainability Lead, WePact Global

Wangechi Kariuki is a GRI-certified Sustainability Professional with over 20 years of experience across the public, private, and development sectors. She is the CEO and ESG/Sustainability Lead at WePact Global and also serves as Senior Sustainability Advisor at the ESG Institute. Her expertise spans strategic partnerships, ESG integration, sustainable finance, and program management. She has advised corporates, governments, and development partners on embedding ESG principles, developing sustainability roadmaps, and mobilizing resources to advance inclusive growth. Previously, as Deputy Director in the Office of the Deputy President of Kenya, she provided leadership in coordinating development partner engagement at the national level, fostering high-level dialogue, strengthening development support effectiveness, and aligning international cooperation with Kenya’s development priorities. Wangechi has also contributed to shaping Africa’s sustainability agenda through her involvement in the African Sustainable Finance Taxonomy led by the African Development Bank. She is widely recognized for advancing multi-stakeholder collaboration that bridges global sustainability frameworks with Africa’s local priorities.

Biography

CS Ibrahim Kitoo

Corporation Secretary & General Counsel, Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority

He is the Corporation Secretary and General Counsel, offering strategic leadership in the Governance and Corporate Secretarial Function, Legal, Regulatory, and Commercial Services Departments for the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Practising Certified Secretary, Public Private Partnerships (CP3P) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioner. He is an active member of the Law Society of Kenya, Institute of Certified Secretaries (Kenya), Chartered Governance Institute (London), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya & London), Institute of Directors (Kenya), Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), World Association of PPP Units and Professionals (WAPPP), Committee Member of the P3 World Council and member of the Havard Business Review. He has previously held leadership positions as a Legal Counsel (Infrastructure Finance & Public Private Partnerships – PPP Directorate), Chief Legal Officer and Legal Services Manager at the National Treasury, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC and Equity Bank of Kenya respectively, among others. He holds a Master’s Degree (LL.M) in Public Finance & Financial Services Law and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) all from The University of Nairobi and a Post – Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.

Biography

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