EDEN REVEAL with
William Karoki
Who is William Karoki?
I am a happy, energetic and understanding human being. I am a loving husband, brother and son. I am also a practicing lawyer in Nairobi, Kenya.
What services do you render?
I mainly offer Corporate Commercial Law Services and Business Restructuring, Real Estate and Estate Planning/Succession, and Conveyancing, Immigration Law to assist foreigners to invest seamlessly by assisting in acquisition of work permits. I also offer services bordering on-Dispute Resolution, Debt Recovery and Regulatory Compliance –employment and labor relations advice, and general legal compliance, IT and IP Law (Intellectual Property Protection and Data Protection Compliance). I can say it’s a full course.
How long have you practiced as a real estate lawyer and what credentials certifications do you hold?
I have practiced law for the last 6 years. As stated above, I am a lawyer, qualified Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a Commissioner for Oaths and a member of the law society of Kenya. I have an L.L.B from the University of Nairobi, a Post Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law. I also enrolled for a Masters in Corporate Governance –LLM at the University of Nairobi. I have a certificate in FIDIC Construction Law Contracts. Further, I have been part of the Team that worked on reviewing of the JBCC Green Book Construction Contracts.
I worked in Bowmans Coulson Harney LLP, Nairobi for 2 years, and then moved to MRM (Mabati Rolling Mills Limited a member of the Safal Group, then left to start a partnership PROW & Company Advocates. I am launching my new startup, WKA Advocates in April 2022 where I will be the Managing Partner.
I have worked on numerous and high net worth real estate transactions.
What are your strengths as a real estate lawyer?
Integrity, Competence and thorough due diligence. I listen to my Clients and respond to their specific needs. Using my litigation skills, I am able to negotiate and close the best deals for my clients. I inform the clients on the whole procedure and prepare them for any eventualities. Further, I update my clients on new legislative and regulatory developments.
What are the most questions or concerns you get from potential clients?
Clients normally want assurance on Integrity- that they are not being duped by the Sellers, Information-the costs implications and taxes such as stamp duty, and transaction timelines- to close the deal.
What/ when was the highlight of your career?
When I signed my first big client after resigning from a stable well-paying job to start a law firm from scratch. It gave me confidence that people believed in me.
Explain the most difficult situation you have had to face and how you tackled it?
When a Client was almost defrauded by imposters pretending to be genuine sellers last year. I was able to salvage the situation and we reported the incident to the relevant authorities. The Client managed to get a refund.
Your advice to the youth/ younger generation?
Jodan Peterson quotes that it is more difficult to rule yourself than to rule a city. I would advise the youth to discover their purpose in life, write down their goals and put in the work. There are really no shortcuts in this life, you have to sow seeds in order to reap fruits. If you finished school, college or university and you have a degree or diploma, don’t sit in the house watching tv, complaining about lack of jobs, go out there and get your hands dirty even if it is a construction site. Life is one big classroom never stop learning.
What would you tell your 18 year old self?
That If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough. Trust the Process, and have fun doing life. That real success in life is not one big event, but a journey. Aim at kicking out the bad habits and implement the healthy ones. In fact, research states that one percent of improvement each day means that you will be thirty-seven times better than you once were, but if you decline one percent a day, you will decline nearly to zero. In other words, it’s the small habits that matter and that make the biggest difference.
- 3 floor levels
- A total built-up area of 579.75 sqm
- All the 5 bedrooms are en-suite and have fitted wardrobes
- A family room and a study
- A terrace on the second floor
- 2 fitted kitchens; Dry and Wet kitchens
- A front yard garden
- A parking area
- House customization (can be discussed)
- Ample payment plan/duration
How do you stay so positive and vibrant?
Prayers, Good sleep (when I can), exercise, daily intermittent fasting -OMAD (one meal a day), healthy eating, inspiring music, and a good laughter!
Who inspired you and how/why?
I am inspired by Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and business magnate. He co-founded PayPal, He is the founder, CEO, and Chief Engineer at SpaceX;, CEO, and Product Architect of Tesla, Inc. Elon Musk has proven that human beings are only limited by their own thoughts, and that you can revolutionize a whole industry if you invest enough time, skill and interest. Elon has impacted the payment systems industry, the automobile and finally he decided to conquer the skies literally with the amazingly engineered Space X re-usable rockets.
Describe the perfect day?
A traffic free commune to and from my office, a hot cup of black sugarless masala tea, doing meaningful work and receiving positive feedback from my clients. Read one chapter of a book, then unwinding by spending time with my wife and family over a sumptuous meal over jazz.
What do you to relax and unwind?
It comes as a surprise to most people when they find out that I am an artist, designer and a painter. Probably because you don’t get to see an artist in a suit every day. I am the founder of an online art gallery going by the tag name La Pintora Art Gallery which is available on all social media platforms. I describe myself as a contemporary artist inspired by proponents such as Van Gogh, Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock. Oh! and the answer to that common question ‘can I draw you’? Yes perfectly!
I love preparing amazing meals from time to time especially a mean steak on the grill.
I also love reading books and my current read is Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin and Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight.
I am also what can be described as an outdoor person, lover of nature and flowers, and it is not rare to find me taking a brisk walk in the cool of the greenery in Karura Forest on the weekends.
Of course, I love good company and a well-deserved holiday at the beach.
What is your personal Mantra/ motto?
Go hard or Go Home! Don’t try, do it!
Monthly Tip
'' When moving to a new home and you have pets, always ensure in advance that the compound is pet friendly. ''
Your favourite quote?
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney
What song describes you perfectly?
‘You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime’
Lose it by Eminem. This song is for those low moments in life when I need that energy to psyche myself up.
What do you think is the future of Kenyan property market?
The future is digital, and in the 3D or what is called the metaverse. An investor sitting in a foreign country should be able to get a 3D virtual tour of the physical property he is interested in without unnecessary travel. Real estate and agencies should invest more in 3 D renders on their website. This will save time and costs of travel.
On the other hand you can only buy virtual land with real money on the metaverse! There are virtual real estate brokers on the metaverse. A virtual plot of land is going for $13,000 in decentral land. Google is your friend!
That developers should shift focus to the largely untapped market in provision of affordable housing units in the Nairobi suburbs. The Boma Yangu Affordable Housing Projects (AHP),by the government of Kenya in Pangani, Kenya have been oversubscribed and many Kenyans have missed out. This can only demonstrate that more Kenyans are getting educated and are joining the lower middle class with some sufficient purchasing power.
That also there is a shortage of short term and long term decent hostels for students who are joining universities and colleges. Developers should look in to the feasibility of providing for the needs of this cadre.
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