Nairobi County is currently facing a substantial financial challenge, as disclosed by a recent audit report from Auditor General Nancy Gathungu


The report reveals that the county government, led by Governor Johnson Sakaja, owes an astonishing Sh6.3 billion to only four advocates, which constitutes 29 percent of the county's total outstanding legal fees amounting to Sh21.4 billion. This figure represents 11 percent of the total pending bills for the county's executive, raising significant concerns regarding financial mismanagement and accountability.

  The audit report elaborates that the Sh6.3 billion owed to these four advocates is part of a broader total of Sh21.4 billion in unpaid legal fees accrued by Nairobi County. These fees arise from legal services rendered to the county; however, the report highlights a concerning lack of transparency and documentation to substantiate the exorbitant costs. Specifically, the Auditor General noted that payments made to these advocates were frequently irregular, with some claims lacking proper documentation. This absence of accountability has raised serious questions about how such a considerable debt was permitted to accumulate under the current administration. Furthermore, the report indicates that the county's legal expenditures exceed its own revenue collection, emphasizing the gravity of the financial pressure. For context, Nairobi County's annual revenue collection has been reported to be significantly lower than the Sh21.4 billion owed in legal fees alone, underscoring a troubling disparity in financial priorities. Auditor General Nancy Gathungu expressed concern regarding the county's spending practices, particularly the prioritization of funds for legal fees at the detriment of essential public services. The report highlights that the excessive spending on legal services has led to the underfunding of critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and waste management.

The escalating legal fees present a considerable challenge for Governor Sakaja's administration, which has faced scrutiny regarding its management of public funds. The Sh6.3 billion owed to the four advocates constitutes a significant portion of the county's budget, which could have been allocated to enhancing public services such as water supply, healthcare, and road maintenance. This financial burden also raises concerns about the county's capacity to fulfill its obligations to other creditors, including Kenya Power, which asserts that City Hall is indebted to the tune of Sh3 billion in unpaid electricity bills. Furthermore, the opacity surrounding the legal fees has ignited demands for a comprehensive investigation into the county's procurement practices for legal services. Residents and stakeholders are seeking clarification on how such a considerable debt was accumulated and why payments to a limited number of advocates represent such a large fraction of the county's liabilities. The Auditor General's report has rekindled calls for accountability and reform within Nairobi County's financial management systems. Stakeholders, including Nairobi Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), have initiated an inquiry into what they characterize as "fraudulent" legal claims amounting to Sh10.7 billion. This investigation seeks to identify the underlying causes of the excessive legal expenditures and to hold accountable those responsible. Moreover, there is increasing pressure on Governor Sakaja to adopt measures aimed at reducing wasteful spending and prioritizing development projects that directly benefit the residents of Nairobi. The county government has been urged to refine its legal services procurement process, ensuring that contracts are awarded in a transparent manner and that payments are substantiated by verifiable documentation.




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