Richard Odongo

Richard Odongo is a Senior Associate at Bowmans in Nairobi, specialising in technology law, data protection and privacy, intellectual property law, and fintech. He advises on commercial intellectual property, technology law (including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity), telecommunications, gaming, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, advertising law and litigation, data privacy, drafting and negotiation of information technology agreements, and the protection and enforcement of trade marks, patents, copyright, and industrial designs.

Richard regularly advises leading global technology companies including Uber, Google, Microsoft, Apple Inc., and Philip Morris International on regulatory, compliance, and corporate matters across Kenya and Uganda. He has advised Mastercard International and Visa Incorporated on payment products and services regulation, Yellow Card Financial on cryptocurrency regulation in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and CoinBase on crypto wallet and securities regulation. He was part of the legislative drafting team for Kenya's Virtual Asset Service Provider's Bill 2024, submitted to the National Assembly. He also advises on IP litigation and dispute resolution, covering trademarks, patents, designs, breach of IT contracts, due diligence, licensing, franchise agreements, and domain name disputes. His practice includes representing clients before the Communications Authority of Kenya, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, and the Capital Markets Authority.

Richard holds an LL.B from Strathmore University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a Patent Agent, and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb). He is also a Committee Member of the Law Society of Kenya (Nairobi Branch) Intellectual Property/ICT Liaison Committee (2024–2026).

He was recognised as a Rising Star by Managing IP – IP Stars 2025, a Recommended Lawyer – Kenya, 2026 by the World Trademark Review – WTR 1000, and received the Best Candidate – Module 1 Arbitration (2021) award from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Kenya.