Steve Okoth

Steve Okoth is the Tax Advisory Director at BDO in Kenya. He has 14 years of focus in tax advisory. He heads the BDO East Africa Tax Centre of Excellence (“CoE”) and has part of his expertise covering Eastern Africa.

As an expert in tax dispute resolution, I manage tax audits, investigations, objections, and appeals. While his base philosophy is to resolve disputes through negotiations at audit findings, objection review and Alternative dispute resolution, he also represents clients in appeals at the Tax Appeals Tribunal.

His International Tax and Transfer Pricing expertise involves preparing and reviewing transfer pricing policy documentation, international tax and transfer pricing disputes, group reorganisation, tax planning, and transaction structuring. His strategic insights into Planning and Supply Chain Management provide value to complex structures.

Steve's expertise encompasses Tax Due Diligence, Mergers and Acquisitions, and structuring acquisitions and exits. His comprehensive approach to managing restructuring projects, including offshore component augments, is deal advisory.

He has extensive experience in securing tax exemptions and refunds. He facilitates VAT and income tax refunds and exemption projects across sectors like affordable housing, infrastructure, and green energy.
Steve's Lobbying and Advocacy has led to significant improvements in tax policy and administration, benefiting various industries.

A Private Rulings and Confirmations specialist, Steve ensures the processing of binding rulings from the Kenya Revenue Authority, guaranteeing clarity and compliance in tax treatment across diverse transactions. His Transaction Structuring and Tax Planning advisory supports clients in optimising their tax and compliance positions.

Steve's support spans a broad spectrum of sectors, including manufacturing, real estate, energy, healthcare, banking and finance, not-for-profit organisations, agriculture, gaming, and hospitality. His active participation in the tax profession is exemplified by his roles in the Kenya Private Sector Alliance's Public Finance Sector Board and Tax Taskforce and the Tax Committee of the Kenya Association of Manufacturing.

With a foundation in law from the University of Nairobi and specialised training in International Tax and Transfer Pricing, Steve has previously worked in tax advisory roles at PKF and RSM.