Alibhai was born in 1957 in Kenya, which was then a British colony. His early life coincided with the final years of colonial rule and the country's transition to independence in 1963.
After independence, Kenya's legal system and profession were administered under the country's own government, and the advocates who practised within it were regulated by Kenyan institutions. Alibhai's later legal career developed within this national framework.
Alibhai holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master of Laws degree, the latter awarded in London. London's universities have long been among the principal centres of English legal education, and their law degrees attracted students from across the Commonwealth.
The two degrees form the academic foundation of his legal training, which he subsequently applied in legal practice in Kenya.
Alibhai is a partner at Kaplan & Stratton, a law firm with its office in Nairobi, Kenya. The firm states that it was established in 1938 and describes itself as one of Kenya's oldest law practices, offering full-service legal advice to domestic, corporate and international clients.
The firm is a founder member of LEX Africa, an alliance of independent law firms across more than twenty African countries. Its documented practice areas include banking and finance, intellectual property, project development and energy, and corporate and commercial law. Its Nairobi base places Alibhai's partnership within Kenya's commercial legal sector.
The Law Society of Kenya was formed in 1948 to advise and assist the legal profession, government and the public on matters concerning the administration of justice in Kenya. Its membership comprises practising advocates, and under Kenyan law a person must be a member of the society to practise as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Alibhai's membership places him within this professional body of Kenyan advocates.
