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.
Sakaja has issued firm instructions to the audit committee to ensure that it submits a report within 3 months.
Lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo will chair the 13-member committee.
“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.
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Other members of the committee include former nominated Senator Sylvia Kassanga who will serve as the Vice Chairperson, Sakaja’s Legal advisor Elias Mutuma, LSK President Eric Theuri, Aldrin Ojiambo and Dulma Farah Mohamed.
Jackson Awele Onyango, Emily Chelule, Victor Swanya and Wangechi Wahome Ng’ayu, David Kabeberi and Dickson Mutuku Mwenze will also serve on the team.
Beatrice Auma Otieno and Francis Njoroge will lead the team’s secretariat by facilitating the committee and providing appropriate background briefing and preparing the Committee’s reports.
Sakaja says all pending legal bills will be audited to reveal the legit ones.
Last year, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission asked the Nairobi City County secretary to supply it with case files handled by 26 law firms.
EACC 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.
