A Ksh1.3 billion bill served to the Nairobi County government by renowned city lawyer Donald Kipkorir for legal services rendered has sparked a debate among Kenyans.
In a document seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the Deputy Registrar of the Environment and Lands Court in Nairobi certified that KTK Advocates, where Kipkorir is the Founder and Managing Partner paid tax on legal fees totaling to Ksh1,338,011,582.
The lawyer confirmed that he served the bill, delving deeper in the process of how he reached the figure that caught the attention of many Kenyans.
"Legal Fees are regulated by The Advocates Act, Cap 16 and The Advocates (Remuneration) Order. Courts assess legal fees based on inter alia, the value of the subject matter, public importance and complexity, " he stated.
The affirmation raised concerns as to whether the legal profession was still as lucrative as it was amid the surging number of advocates who are admitted to the bar every year.
A section of Kenyans who were taken aback by the bill openly envied the lawyer and wished that they had taken up a career in law. Paul Onana defined the profession as noble - belonging to the aristocrats.
Junior legal practitioners also marveled at the bill, claiming that it was common in the legal profession. Bochie disclosed that while he had not received such amounts, charges are determined by other factors.
"True but it highly depends with the know-how of the taxing master. I have never gotten such generous amounts but it is okay," he stated.
Expectedly, another group lamented about the fee, terming it as exaggerated. For instance, Elly Aguko opined that the hefty cost was just because the profession had been over hyped for long.
"Surely what makes legal services that expensive compared to other professions say nuclear engineering. Is legal profession overrated. Actually study of law was left to average A-Level students who had limited exposure to cream of MPC and MCB," he stated.
Kipkorir is a renowned city lawyer who boasts of a legal career spanning nearly two decades, specializing in Corporate Law and Commercial Practice.
He has served as the Chairperson in several boards including, Government Of Kenya Task Force On Kenyans Working Abroad and the Football Kenya Federation Elections Board.
The flamboyant lawyer has also served as the Director of a local commercial bank, and as a commissioner of the National Olympics Committee (NOC). He is a member of the Legalink Global Network of Independent Law Firms.
