Hammad Baig hosted leading figures from Kenya's international arbitration community during London International Disputes Week 2026, which took place from 1 to 5 June under the theme "Tradition, trust and transformation in international dispute resolution".
Professor Kenneth Wyne Mutuma, Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Kenya Branch, and Ms Rina Chatrath FCIArb, Chairperson of the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA), travelled to London to participate in the week's programme and to strengthen ties between the East African and UK dispute resolution communities.
The three met for lunch at Lincoln's Inn, where discussions ranged across international arbitration cooperation, the growing role of African arbitral institutions, and emerging trends in dispute resolution practice.
Prof. Kenneth Wyne Mutuma, C.Arb. FCIArb was appointed Chair of CIArb Kenya Branch in 2025. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi School of Law. He is a respected arbitration scholar and practitioner. In recognition of his service in the arbitration practice, he was awarded the Africa Arbitrator of the Year at the 6th Africa Arbitration Awards.
Ms Rina Chatrath was appointed to the NCIA Board as a Director in November 2025 and serves as Chairperson. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Co-Founder of The CFOO Centre, bringing over two decades of experience in management, legal and human resources roles. The NCIA is Kenya's leading institution for the promotion of international commercial arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.
Now in its seventh year, LIDW is one of the largest annual gatherings of the international disputes community. The 2026 programme brought together practitioners, arbitrators, in-house counsel and institutions from around the world to address current challenges and opportunities in cross-border dispute resolution.
This year's theme, "Tradition, trust and transformation", reflected the profession's focus on maintaining the integrity and predictability of international arbitration while adapting to technological change, geopolitical uncertainty and the needs of users in new and emerging markets.
The lunch at Lincoln's Inn provided an opportunity to discuss practical cooperation between UK and Kenyan practitioners, including:
- Collaboration on training and professional development;
- The role of regional arbitral institutions in promoting Africa as a seat for international disputes;
- Recent developments in arbitration law and practice in Kenya;
- The increasing use of mediation and other ADR mechanisms alongside arbitration; and
- Opportunities for UK counsel to support arbitration work seated in Nairobi and other African centres
Both Professor Mutuma and Ms Chatrath emphasised the momentum behind arbitration in East Africa and the importance of building relationships with the London disputes community.