SUMMARY

        This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus. You are urged to read carefully the entire proxy statement/prospectus and the other documents referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the merger agreement, the merger and the other matters being considered at the KFN special meeting. See "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page 221 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

The Parties (See page 52)

KKR Financial Holdings LLC

        KFN is a Delaware limited liability company whose common shares are publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol "KFN." KFN is a specialty finance company with expertise in a range of asset classes. The principal executive offices of KFN are located at 555 California Street, 50th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104, and its telephone number is (415) 315-3620.

KKR & Co. L.P.

        KKR is a Delaware limited partnership whose common units are publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol "KKR." KKR is a global investment firm with $90.2 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2013. The principal executive offices of KKR are located at 9 West 57^th Street, Suite 4200, New York, New York 10019, and its telephone number is (212) 750-8300. KKR and its subsidiaries are referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the KKR Group.

KKR Fund Holdings L.P.

        Fund Holdings is an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands and is a subsidiary of KKR. The principal executive offices of Fund Holdings are located c/o KKR 9 West 57^th Street, Suite 4200, New York, New York 10019, and its telephone number is (212) 750-8300.

Copal Merger Sub LLC

        Merger Sub is a Delaware limited liability company and is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Fund Holdings. The principal executive offices of Merger Sub are located at 9 West 57^th Street, Suite 4200, New York, New York 10019, and its telephone number is (212) 750-8300.

The Merger (See page 117)

        KFN, KKR, Fund Holdings and Merger Sub have entered into the merger agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement and in accordance with Delaware law, Merger Sub will be merged with and into KFN, with KFN continuing as the surviving entity. Upon completion of the merger, KFN will be a direct subsidiary of Fund Holdings, and KFN common shares will no longer be publicly traded. KFN's preferred shares will remain outstanding and listed on the NYSE after completion of the merger.

Merger Consideration (See page 124)

        The merger agreement provides that, at the effective time of the merger, each KFN common share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into the right to receive 0.51 KKR common units. Each KFN common share that is held by Fund Holdings or any subsidiary of Fund Holdings immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled without any conversion or payment of consideration in respect thereof.

        KKR will not issue any fractional KKR common units in the merger. Instead, the total number of KKR common units that each KFN common shareholder will receive in the merger will be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and each KFN common shareholder will receive cash, without interest, for any fractional KKR common unit that such person would otherwise receive in the merger.

Treatment of Equity Awards (See page 124)

        Options.    Each KFN option to purchase a KFN common share that is outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the excess of the cash value of 0.51 KKR common units over the exercise price per KFN common share subject to such option.

        Restricted Shares.    Each restricted KFN common share that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be converted into 0.51 restricted KKR common units having the same terms and conditions as applied to such restricted KFN common share immediately prior to the effective time.

        Phantom Shares.    Each outstanding phantom share under KFN's Non-Employee Directors' Deferred Compensation and Share Award Plan will be converted into a phantom share in respect of 0.51 KKR common units and will otherwise remain subject to the terms of the plan.

KFN Special Shareholder Meeting; Shareholders Entitled to Vote; Vote Required (See page 54)

        Meeting.    The KFN special meeting will be held at                        , on                        , 2014, at        , local time. At the special meeting, KFN common shareholders will be asked to vote on the following proposals:

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Proposal 1:  Adoption of the Merger Agreement.    The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares entitled to vote thereon, including a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares entitled to vote thereon held by shareholders other than KKR and its affiliates. Accordingly, abstentions and unvoted shares will have the same effect as votes "AGAINST" the adoption of the merger agreement.



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Proposal 2:  Adjournment of the KFN Special Meeting (if necessary).    The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares entitled to vote thereon present in person or represented by proxy at the special meeting. Accordingly, an abstention will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" the proposal, although an unvoted share will have no effect on the proposal assuming that a quorum is present at the special meeting.

        Record Date.    Only KFN common shareholders of record as of the close of business on                        2014 will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting. As of the close of business on the record date of                        , 2014, there were                KFN common shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting, including                shares held by KKR and its affiliates. Each holder of a KFN common share is entitled to one vote for each common share owned as of the record date.

        Required Vote.    To adopt the merger agreement, holders of at least a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares entitled to vote thereon, including a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares entitled to vote thereon held by shareholders other than KKR and its affiliates, must vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. The merger cannot be completed unless KFN common shareholders adopt the merger agreement. Because approval is based on the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares, a KFN common shareholder's failure to vote, an abstention from voting or the failure of a KFN common shareholder who holds his or her units in

"street name" through a broker or other nominee to give voting instructions to such broker or other nominee will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" the adoption of the merger agreement.

        To approve the adjournment of the KFN special meeting, if necessary to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement at the time of the special meeting, the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares entitled to vote thereon present in person or represented by proxy at the special meeting is required. Because approval of this proposal is based on the voting power present with respect to such proposal, abstentions will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" the proposal, and failures to be present to vote and failures of KFN common shareholders who hold their shares in "street name" through brokers or other nominees to give voting instructions to such brokers or other nominees will have no effect on the vote held on such proposal provided that a quorum is present.

        Share Ownership of KFN's Directors and Executive Officers.    As of the close of business on the record date for the special meeting, KFN's directors and executive officers beneficially owned and had the right to vote                common shares at the special meeting, representing approximately        % of the KFN common shares entitled to vote at the special meeting.

        It is expected that KFN's directors and executive officers will vote their shares "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement and "FOR" the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, although none of them has entered into any agreement requiring them to do so.

        Share Ownership of Affiliates of KKR.    As of the close of business on the record date for the special meeting, affiliates of KKR beneficially owned and had the right to vote                common shares at the special meeting, representing approximately        % of the KFN common shares entitled to vote at the special meeting.

        It is expected that the affiliates of KKR will vote their shares "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement and "FOR" the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, although none of them has entered into any agreement requiring them to do so. Any such affirmative vote will not, however, affect the required approval of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement by the affirmative vote of a majority of KFN common shares entitled to vote thereon other than KFN common shares held by KKR and its affiliates.

Recommendation of the KFN Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger; Fairness of the Merger (See page 68)

        The KFN board of directors, upon the unanimous recommendation of a transaction committee consisting solely of independent directors, recommends that KFN shareholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement.

        In the course of reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the KFN board of directors considered a number of factors in its deliberations. For a more complete discussion of these factors, see "Special Factors—Recommendation of the KFN Board of Directors and Reasons for the Merger; Fairness of the Merger" beginning on page 68 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Opinion of the Financial Advisor to the KFN Transaction Committee (See page 73)

        Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P., referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as Sandler O'Neill, acted as financial advisor to the transaction committee in connection with the proposed transaction and participated in certain of the negotiations leading to the execution of the merger agreement. At the December 13, 2013 meeting of the transaction committee, Sandler O'Neill delivered to the transaction committee its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing on December 16, 2013, that, as of December 16, 2013, the merger consideration was fair to the holders of KFN common shares from a

financial point of view. The full text of Sandler O'Neill's opinion is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion outlines the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Sandler O'Neill in rendering its opinion. The description of the opinion set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Holders of KFN common shares are urged to read the entire opinion carefully in connection with their consideration of the proposed merger.

KKR Unitholder Approval is Not Required (See page 114)

        KKR unitholders are not required to adopt the merger agreement or approve the merger or the issuance of KKR common units in connection with the merger.

Ownership of KKR after the Merger

        Based on the number of outstanding KFN common shares (including restricted shares) outstanding as of                        , 2014, KKR expects to issue approximately                 million KKR common units to KFN common shareholders pursuant to the merger agreement. The actual number of KKR common units to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement will be determined at the completion of the merger based on the exchange ratio of 0.51 and the number of KFN common shares (including restricted shares) outstanding at that time.

        As of                        , 2014, KKR Holdings L.P., which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as KKR Holdings, owns                partnership interests of each of KKR Management Holdings L.P. and Fund Holdings (the holding companies of the KKR business) which are referred to, together, in this proxy statement/prospectus as the KKR Group Partnerships. These partnership interests are referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the KKR Group Partnership units, and may be collectively exchanged, on a quarterly basis, for KKR common units on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for splits, unit distributions and reclassifications.

        As of                        , 2014, KKR had                of its common units outstanding, which excludes KKR common units beneficially owned by KKR Holdings through its ownership of KKR Group Partnership units, KKR common units available for future issuances under the KKR & Co. L.P. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and KKR common units available for future issuance in connection with KKR's acquisitions. Based on the number of KKR common units outstanding as of                        , 2014 referenced in the immediately preceding sentence, it is anticipated that, immediately after the completion of the merger, former KFN common shareholders will own approximately        % of the outstanding KKR common units. However, assuming all of the KKR Group Partnership units held by KKR Holdings as of                        , 2014 were exchanged into KKR common units prior to the merger, it is anticipated that, immediately after the completion of the merger, former KFN common shareholders will own approximately        % of the outstanding KKR common units. See "—Organizational Chart" for a simplified diagram showing KKR's organizational structure.

        Holders of KKR common units do not elect KKR's managing partner or its board of directors and, unlike the holders of KFN's common shares with respect to KFN, have only limited voting rights on matters affecting KKR's business and therefore limited ability to influence decisions regarding KKR's business, which is run by its managing partner. See "Comparison of KKR Common Units and KFN Common Shares" beginning on page 199 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers of KFN in the Merger (See page 111)

        KFN's executive officers and directors have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, their interests as common shareholders of KFN. The members of the KFN board of directors were aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement and the merger, and in recommending to KFN's common

shareholders that the merger agreement be adopted. KFN's executive officers (including any executive officers who are members of the KFN board of directors) did not participate in the vote by the KFN board of directors relating to the merger. The merger agreement provides for the conversion of KFN restricted common shares and KFN phantom shares into awards in respect of KKR common units, with the number of KFN common shares underlying such converted awards to be adjusted on the same basis as KFN common shares. In addition, KFN's executive officers and directors are entitled to continued exculpation, indemnification, expense advancement rights and insurance coverage under indemnification agreements and the merger agreement. These different interests are described under "Special Factors—Interests of Directors and Executive Officers of KFN in the Merger" beginning on page 111 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Risks Relating to the Merger and Ownership of KKR Common Units (See page 29)

        KFN common shareholders should consider carefully all the risk factors, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference, in this proxy statement/prospectus before deciding how to vote. Risks relating to the merger and the ownership of KKR common units are described in the section titled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 29 of this proxy statement/prospectus. Some of these risks include, but are not limited to, those described below:

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Because the exchange ratio is fixed, KFN common shareholders cannot be sure of the market value of the KKR common units they will receive as merger consideration relative to the value of the KFN common shares they exchange.



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KFN and KKR may be unable to obtain the regulatory clearances and approvals required to complete the merger or may be required to comply with material restrictions or satisfy material conditions.



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The merger agreement contains provisions that limit KFN's ability to pursue alternatives to the merger and, in specified circumstances, could require KFN to pay a termination payment of $26,250,000 to Merger Sub or its designee.



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Executive officers and directors of KFN have certain interests that are different from those of KFN common shareholders generally. See "Special Factors—Interests of Directors and Executive Officers of KFN in the Merger" beginning on page 111 of this proxy statement/prospectus.



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KFN common shareholders will have a reduced ownership interest and will not have a voting interest in most matters after the merger and will exercise materially less or no influence over management.



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KKR common units to be received by KFN common shareholders as a result of the merger have materially different rights than KFN common shares.



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KFN common shareholders are expected to recognize taxable income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the merger.



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KKR is an affiliate of KFN's external manager, which provides executive officers and other services to KFN.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (See page 159)

        The merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If you are a U.S. holder of KFN common shares, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, your receipt of KKR common units and cash in lieu of fractional units in exchange for your KFN common shares in the merger generally will cause you to recognize gain or loss measured by the difference, if any, between (i) the sum of (a) the fair market value of any KKR common units received, (b) the amount of cash received and (c) your share of KFN's nonrecourse debt immediately prior to the merger and (ii) your adjusted

tax basis in your KFN common shares. Any such gain or loss recognized generally will be treated as capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period for your KFN common shares exceeds one year. However, a portion of any such gain will be treated as ordinary income to the extent attributable to your allocable share of unrealized gain or loss in KFN's assets to the extent described in Section 751 of the Code. If you are a Non-U.S. holder of KFN common shares, a portion of any gain recognized by you in the merger (which will be calculated in the same manner described above for a U.S. holder) may be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as effectively connected income, and hence you may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such portion. All holders of KFN common shares should consult their own tax advisor for a full understanding of how the merger will affect their taxes. See "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger" beginning on page 159 of this proxy statement/prospectus for further discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger.

Accounting Treatment of the Merger (See page 113)

        The merger will be accounted for by KKR using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, the purchase price will be allocated to the fair value of the net assets acquired at the date of completion of the merger. The excess purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired will be recorded as goodwill.

Listing of KKR Common Units; Delisting and Deregistration of KFN Common Shares (See page 114)

        KKR common units are currently listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "KKR." It is a condition to closing of the merger that the KKR common units to be issued in the merger to KFN common shareholders be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.

        KFN's common shares are currently listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "KFN." If the merger is completed, KFN's common shares will cease to be listed on the NYSE and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act.

No Appraisal Rights (See page 113)

        Under Delaware law and pursuant to KFN's operating agreement, KFN common shareholders will not have appraisal rights in connection with the merger.

Conditions to Consummation of the Merger (See page 118)

        KKR and KFN currently expect to complete the merger in the first half of 2014, subject to receipt of required KFN shareholder approval and regulatory approvals and clearances and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to the merger described below.

        As more fully described in this proxy statement/prospectus, each party's obligation to complete the merger depends on a number of conditions being satisfied or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waived, including the following:

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the merger agreement must have been adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares entitled to vote thereon on the record date, including the holders of a majority of the outstanding KFN common shares other than those KFN common shares held by KKR or any affiliate of KKR;



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the waiting period applicable to the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the HSR Act, must have been terminated or expired, and all consents required under any other antitrust law must have been obtained or any applicable waiting period thereunder must have been terminated or expired;

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there must be no outstanding judgment, injunction, order or decree of a competent U.S. federal or state governmental authority prohibiting or enjoining the completion of the merger or the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;



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the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part must have been declared effective by the SEC and must not be subject to a stop order or similar restraining order by the SEC; and



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the KKR common units to be issued in the merger must have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.

        The obligations of each of KKR, Fund Holdings and Merger Sub to effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:

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the representations and warranties of KFN in the merger agreement being true and correct both when made and at and as of the date of the closing of the merger, subject to certain standards, including materiality and material adverse effect qualifications, as described under "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Consummation of the Merger" beginning on page 118 of this proxy statement/prospectus;



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KFN having performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or before the closing;



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there not having occurred any events that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a material adverse effect with respect to KFN since the date of the merger agreement;



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the receipt of an officer's certificate executed by an executive officer of KFN certifying that the three preceding conditions have been satisfied;



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the receipt of a payoff letter reasonably acceptable to KKR with respect to the termination of KFN's existing $150 million credit facility and any amounts outstanding thereunder; and



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receipt of a statement in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-11T(d)(2) certifying that 50% or more of the value of the gross assets of KFN does not consist of U.S. real property interests, or that 90% or more of the value of the gross assets of KFN does not consist of U.S. real property interests plus cash or cash equivalents.

        The obligations of KFN to effect the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following additional conditions:

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the representations and warranties of KKR in the merger agreement being true and correct both when made and at and as of the date of the closing of the merger, subject to certain standards, including materiality and material adverse effect qualifications, as described under "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Consummation of the Merger" beginning on page 118 of this proxy statement/prospectus;



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each of KKR, Fund Holdings and Merger Sub having performed in all material respects, all obligations required to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or before the closing;



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there not having occurred any events that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a material adverse effect with respect to KKR since the date of the merger agreement; and



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the receipt of an officer's certificate executed by an executive officer of KKR certifying that the three preceding conditions have been satisfied.

Regulatory Approvals and Clearances Required for the Merger (See page 113)

        Consummation of the merger is subject to the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act applicable to the merger. See "Special Factors—Regulatory Approvals and Clearances Required for the Merger" beginning on page 113 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

No Solicitation by KFN of Alternative Proposals (See page 121)

        Under the merger agreement, KFN has agreed that it will not, and it will use reasonable best efforts to cause its and its subsidiaries' directors, officers, employees, agents, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other representatives not to, directly or indirectly, except as otherwise permitted by the merger agreement:

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initiate or solicit or knowingly encourage any inquiries with respect to, or the making of, an acquisition proposal;



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engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information or data to any person relating to, an acquisition proposal;



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approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any acquisition proposal;



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approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, or execute or enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement relating to any acquisition proposal; or



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propose publicly or agree to do any of the foregoing relating to any acquisition proposal.

        In addition, the merger agreement requires KFN and its subsidiaries to (1) cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any person conducted prior to the date of the merger agreement with respect to an acquisition proposal and (2) request that each third party that executed a confidentiality agreement that relates to an acquisition proposal before the date of the merger agreement return or destroy all confidential information furnished to the third party by KFN or on its behalf before the date of the merger agreement.

        Notwithstanding these restrictions, the merger agreement provides that, under specified circumstances at any time before KFN shareholders vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement, if KFN receives a written unsolicited bona fide acquisition proposal after the date of the merger agreement that the board of directors of KFN has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors (1) constitutes a superior proposal (as described below) or (2) could reasonably be expected to result in a superior proposal, KFN may:

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furnish nonpublic information to a third party that makes an acquisition proposal, if, before furnishing the information, KFN receives an executed confidentiality agreement with provisions no less restrictive to the third party with respect to the use or disclosure of nonpublic information than the confidentiality agreement in effect between KFN and KKR; and



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engage in discussions or negotiations with the third party with respect to the acquisition proposal.

        KFN has also agreed in the merger agreement that it will promptly orally notify KKR of any request for information or any inquiries, proposals or offers relating to an acquisition proposal indicating, in connection with the notice, the name of the person making the request, inquiry, proposal or offer and the material terms and conditions of any proposals or offers, and that it will provide to KKR written notice of any inquiry, proposal or offer within 24 hours of the request or inquiry, proposal or offer and copies of any written or electronic correspondence to or from any person making an acquisition proposal. KFN is required to keep KKR informed orally, as soon as reasonably practicable, of the status of any acquisition proposal, including with respect to the status and terms of any proposal

or offer and whether any proposal or offer has been withdrawn or rejected, and to provide to KKR written notice of any withdrawal or rejection and copies of any written proposals or requests for information within 24 hours. KFN has also agreed to provide any information to KKR (not previously provided to KKR) that it provides to another person pursuant to these provisions at substantially the same time it provides the information to the other person.

Change in KFN Board Recommendation (See page 122)

        The merger agreement provides that the KFN board of directors will not, directly or indirectly, withdraw, modify or qualify, in a manner adverse to KKR, the KFN board of directors' recommendation that KFN's common shareholders adopt the merger agreement or approve, adopt or recommend, or publicly propose to approve, adopt or recommend, any alternative acquisition proposal.

        Notwithstanding the above, subject to certain procedural requirements and limitations as provided for in the merger agreement and described under "The Merger Agreement—Change in KFN Board Recommendation" beginning on page 122 of this proxy statement/prospectus, if KFN receives a written unsolicited bona fide acquisition proposal or in response to an intervening event, the KFN board of directors may effect a change of recommendation under certain circumstances.

Termination of the Merger Agreement (See page 126)

        KKR or KFN may terminate the merger agreement at any time prior to the closing, whether before or after KFN common shareholders have approved the merger agreement:

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by mutual written consent;



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if there is any law or regulation that makes completion of the merger illegal or otherwise prohibited, or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree of a competent U.S. federal or state governmental authority enjoining the parties from completing the merger is entered and has become final and nonappealable;



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if the merger is not completed on or before September 16, 2014;



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if KFN common shareholders do not adopt the merger agreement at the special meeting (including any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting); or



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if the other party has materially breached any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement, or if any fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence or effect has occurred, which breach or fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence or effect would result in the failure of certain closing conditions to be satisfied on or prior to September 16, 2014, and the breach or fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence or effect is not capable of being cured or is not cured by the earlier of (1) 30 business days after written notice is received by the party alleged to be in breach or with respect to which a fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence or effect is alleged to have occurred and (2) September 16, 2014.

        In addition, KKR may terminate the merger agreement if, at any time before KFN common shareholders have adopted the merger agreement:

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a change of recommendation has occurred; or



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an alternative acquisition proposal in respect of KFN is publicly announced or disclosed (or any person publicly announces an intention (whether or not conditional) to make an acquisition proposal) after the date of the merger agreement and the board of directors of KFN fails to affirm the recommendation in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement during the time periods required under the merger agreement.

        In addition, KFN may terminate the merger agreement at any time before KFN common shareholders have adopted the merger agreement in order to enter into a definitive written agreement with respect to a superior proposal provided that KFN has complied in all material respects with its obligations under described under "The Merger Agreement—No Solicitation by KFN of Alternative Proposals" and "The Merger Agreement—Change in KFN Board Recommendation" beginning on pages 121 and 122, respectively, of this proxy statement/prospectus and pays the applicable termination payment described herein.

Expenses and Termination Payments Relating to the Merger (See page 127)

        Generally, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the merger will be the obligation of the respective party incurring such fees and expenses, except that (1) expenses incurred in connection with filing, printing and mailing of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part and this proxy statement/prospectus (including filing fees) will be shared equally by Fund Holdings and KFN and (2) KKR will be responsible for all filing fees under the HSR Act and other antitrust laws.

        Following termination of the merger agreement under specified circumstances, KFN may be required to pay Merger Sub or its designee (unless the payment obligation is waived by Merger Sub) a termination payment of $26,250,000 or to reimburse KKR for its merger-related expenses not to exceed $7.5 million.

        The parties agreed that the amount of KFN's third-party expenses accrued in the fourth quarter of 2013 in connection with the consideration by KFN of the KKR acquisition proposal would reduce the amount of management fees paid by KFN to a subsidiary of KKR under the management agreement in an amount equal to such third-party expenses paid.

Comparison of KKR Common Units and KFN Common Shares (See page 199)

        KFN common shareholders receiving KKR common units in the merger will have materially different rights once they become holders of KKR's common units due to differences between the governing documents of KFN and the governing documents of KKR. These differences are described in more detail under "Comparison of KKR Common Units and KFN Common Shares" beginning on page 199.

Litigation Relating to the Merger (See page 115)

        Fifteen putative stockholder class action lawsuits, referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the merger lawsuits, were filed against KFN and certain other defendants in connection with KFN's entering into the merger agreement. Five of the merger lawsuits were filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco; one of the merger lawsuits was filed in the United States District Court for the District of California; and nine of the merger lawsuits were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The parties in the five California state court actions have filed a stipulation agreeing to consolidate the actions, which is now pending for approval by the court. The plaintiff in the federal action has moved for an order scheduling a preliminary injunction hearing and authorizing expedited discovery. Two of the Delaware court actions were voluntarily dismissed, and the remaining seven Delaware court actions were consolidated. Each of the merger lawsuits was filed on behalf of a putative class of KFN common shareholders against KFN, the individual members of KFN's board of directors, KKR, Fund Holdings, and Merger Sub. The merger lawsuits allege variously that the members of the KFN board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to KFN common shareholders by approving the proposed merger for inadequate consideration; approving the transaction in order to obtain benefits not equally shared by other KFN common shareholders; entering into the merger agreement containing preclusive deal protection devices; failing to take steps to maximize the

value to be paid to the KFN common shareholders; and failing to disclose material information necessary for KFN common shareholders to make a fully informed decision about the proposed merger. The merger lawsuits also seek to state claims against KFN, KKR, Fund Holdings, and Merger Sub for aiding and abetting these alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. In addition, certain of the complaints allege that KKR controlled KFN by means of a management agreement between KFN and KKR Financial Advisors LLC, and that, as a consequence, KKR breached fiduciary duties it owed to KFN common shareholders by causing KFN to approve the merger agreement. The plaintiffs in each of the merger lawsuits generally seek, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, injunctive relief prohibiting the consummation of the acquisition, rescission, an accounting by defendants, damages and attorneys' fees and costs, and other relief.

Organizational Chart

        The following diagram depicts a simplified organizational structure of KKR following the merger.

(1)

KKR Management LLC serves as the general partner of KKR, which is governed by a board of directors consisting of a majority of independent directors. KKR Management LLC does not hold any economic interests in KKR and is owned by senior KKR principals.

(2)

KKR Holdings is the holding vehicle through which KKR principals and other persons indirectly own their interests in KKR's business through ownership of KKR Group Partnership units. As of December 31, 2013, KKR Holdings and KKR held 58.4% and 41.6%, respectively, of the KKR Group Partnership units. KKR Group Partnership units held by KKR Holdings represent interests in KKR's business that are not attributable to holders of KKR common units. KKR Group Partnership units that are held by KKR Holdings are exchangeable for KKR common units on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for splits, unit distributions and reclassifications and compliance with applicable vesting and transfer restrictions. As limited partner interests, these KKR Group Partnership units are non-voting and do not entitle KKR Holdings to participate in the management of KKR's business and affairs.

(3)

KKR Holdings holds special non-economic voting units in KKR that entitle it to cast, with respect to those limited matters that may be submitted to a vote of KKR's unitholders, a number of votes equal to the number of KKR Group Partnership units that it holds from time to time.

(4)

Because the income of KKR Management Holdings L.P. is likely to be primarily non-qualifying income for purposes of the qualifying income exception to the publicly traded partnership rules, KKR formed KKR Management Holdings Corp., which is subject to taxation as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to hold its KKR Group Partnership units in KKR Management Holdings L.P. Accordingly, KKR's allocable share of the taxable income of KKR Management Holdings L.P. will be subject to taxation at a corporate rate. KKR Management Holdings L.P., which is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, was formed to hold interests in KKR's fee generating businesses and other assets that may not generate qualifying income for purposes of the qualifying income exception to the publicly traded partnership rules. Fund Holdings, which is also treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, was formed to hold interests in KKR's businesses and assets that will generate qualifying income for purposes of the qualifying income exception to the publicly traded partnership rules.

(5)

40% of the carried interest earned in relation to KKR's investment funds and carry paying co-investment vehicles is allocated to a carry pool from which carried interest is allocated to KKR principals, other professionals and selected other individuals who work in these operations, thereby reducing the amount of carried interest allocable to KKR Holdings and holders of KKR common units.

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of KKR

        The following historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the years ended on December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are derived from KKR's audited consolidated financial statements contained in KKR's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which has been incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. The following historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and for the years ended on December 31, 2009 and 2008 are derived from KKR's audited consolidated and combined financial statements that are not included or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition, the selected consolidated financial information as of and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, and 2012 have been included below. The selected consolidated financial information for the interim periods has been derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in KKR's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, which has been incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus and, in the opinion of KKR's management, includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of such information for the interim periods. The following information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto set forth in KKR's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and each subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q incorporated by

reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page 221 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of KFN

        The following historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the years ended on December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are derived from KFN's audited consolidated financial statements contained in KFN's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which has been incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. The following historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and for the years ended on December 31, 2009 and 2008 are derived from KFN's audited consolidated financial statements that are not included or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. The selected consolidated financial information for the interim periods has been derived from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in KFN's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, which has been incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus and, in the opinion of KFN's management, includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of such information for the interim periods. You should read the following data in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto set forth in KFN's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and each subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page 221 of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of KFN

        The following table presents KFN's ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the fiscal periods indicated. For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as earnings before equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates, income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expenses.

Unaudited Comparative Per Unit Information

        The following table summarizes unaudited per common unit/share data for (i) KKR and KFN on a historical basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, (ii) KKR on a pro forma combined basis giving effect to the proposed transactions (collectively referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the pro forma events) and (iii) KFN on a pro forma equivalent basis based on the exchange ratio of 0.51 KKR common units for each KFN common share. It has been assumed for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information provided below that the pro forma events occurred on January 1, 2012 for earnings per common unit purposes and on September 30, 2013 for book value per common unit purposes. The historical earnings per common unit/share information should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of KKR and KFN incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 221 of this proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited pro forma combined earnings per share information is derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the section entitled "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements" and related notes included in this proxy statement/prospectus beginning on page 135. The pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have

occurred if the pro forma events had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it necessarily indicative of the future operating results or financial position of the combined company.