MUTHONI RUNJI-PERTET
= more value + more collaboration

Partner
Real Estate and Finance
muthoni.runji@ronn.law
T: +254 722 639 739
Focus: Real Estate, Banking, Finance

BIO

Muthoni is a real estate & finance lawyer who successfully balances being both detail-oriented and creative with her advice. She is especially good at complex real estate developments, project structuring, commercial sales, commercial leasing and has worked with several commercial developers in some of Kenya's innovative development projects.

In commercial leases, Muthoni not only helps clients with their preparation and registration but advises on the negotiation of key terms. She has experience advising Kenyan, Pan-African and multinational businesses on a wide range of finance matters with a focus on debt and securities.

Muthoni's practice involves advising clients and commercial lenders on finance transactions and debt restructuring deals. Property and finance aside, she is a hands-on and approachable commercial law expert. She is a qualified company secretary and governance auditor and has been involved in compliance matters.

REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE

  • A leading pan-African property company: in the purchase of property within Nairobi (through the purchase of shares in a property holding company) valued at over USD 32 million (approximately KES 3.4 billion) and advising on the sale and leaseback transaction.
  • A private owner: in the sale of land in Nairobi valued at over KES 1 billion (approximately USD 9 million) for the construction of new offices for the International Committee of the Red Cross (a Swiss humanitarian organization).
  • Commercial Leasing: acting for various developers in the negotiation of terms, drafting and registration of commercial lease agreements including Yaya Centre (one of Kenya’s oldest and pioneering indoor malls) and The Pavilion.
  • Telecommunications Companies: in the acquisition, negotiation, drafting and registration of commercial leases for base transceiver and broadcasting sites including Safaricom Limited and GOtv Kenya Limited.

  • Leading private developer: in the purchase of properties in Nairobi (Nairobi West and Roysambu) for commercial development, including negotiating of the sale agreement, advising on the structuring of the transaction, change of user and regulatory approvals, and reviewing of construction agreements.
  • Copia Kenya (a consumer goods mobile commerce platform): in the lease of warehouse premises at ALP Logistics Park (a modern grade-A warehousing facility) in Tatu City, including advising on the structuring of the transaction and negotiating of the terms of the lease.
  • Freight Forwarders Solutions Limited (a subsidiary of Freight Forwarders group): in the lease of warehouse premises at ALP Logistics Park (a modern grade-A warehousing facility) in Tatu City, including advising on the structuring of the transaction and negotiating of the terms of the lease.
  • An American private equity fund: in connection with the drafting of a commercial lease in Eldama Park (a high-end office property in Nairobi), including carrying out due diligence and negotiating the terms of the lease.

BANKING & FINANCE EXPERIENCE

  • UBS Foundation: on social impact loans to entities in Kenya including limited due diligence on the local entities and review of loan agreements.
  • I&M Bank Limited: in the lending of over USD 20 million (approximately 2 billion) a local borrower including limited due diligence on the borrower, advising on the security structure and preparation of the principal security documents.
  • Various local banks: in the preparation and registration of securities including NCBA Bank Limited (both previously as NIC Bank Limited and Commercial Bank of Africa Limited), Standard Chartered Bank of Kenya Limited and Stanbic Bank Limited.

ADMISSIONS, EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Muthoni is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a Commissioner for Oaths and a Notary Public. She is a Certified Public Secretary (CS) and a qualified governance auditor.

She graduated with an LLB from the University of Nairobi and holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.