NAIROBI, Kenya January 16-Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered an audit of the Sh 21 billion pending legal fees inherited from the previous administrations.
In a gazette notice issued late Monday, Sakaja has established a committee that will carry out the audit with firm instructions to submit a report in 3 months.
The 13-member committee will be chaired by lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo.
“Within (4) month, submit to the Governor a final report detailing recommendations towards the streamlining of the procurement of legal services within the County Government and ensuring that future escalation of pending legal bills is avoided,” the Gazette Notice reads in part.
Those in the committee include former nominated Senator Sylvia Kassanga (Vice Chairperson), Sakaja’s Legal advisor Elias Mutuma, LSK President Eric Theuri, Aldrin Ojiambo and Dulma Farah Mohamed.
Others include Jackson Awele Onyango, Emily Chelule, Victor Swanya and Wangechi Wahome Ng’ayu, David Kabeberi and Dickson Mutuku Mwenze.
The secretariat team will comprise Beatrice Auma Otieno and Francis Njoroge who will facilitate the committee by providing appropriate background briefing and preparing the Committee’s reports.
Legal payment from City Hall has been in the spotlight attracting investigation agencies.
The Nairobi County boss had assured that the pending bills will be audited to reveal the legit ones.
Last year, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission asked the county secretary to supply it with case files handled by 26 law firms.
The Anti-Corruption agency requested files between 2013 and 2020, including details of the cases, letters of instruction and contract agreements.
“The commission is undertaking investigations at the Nairobi City County in respect of payments of legal fees to the following firms,” stated EACC in a letter.
