Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was on Friday, April 19 involved in a public spat with a city-based lawyer over an alleged payment of Ksh1 billion in after-service fees.
According to a thread on their X (formerly Twitter) platforms, the lawyer accused Sakaja and his County Assembly Budget Committee of demanding a 50 per cent stake in the payment of legal services.
“They called and informed me that they would approve all my payments if I give them 50 per cent of the sums I am owed. I told them, my fees are following The Advocates (Remuneration) Order & decreed by Court and I won’t pay a bribe,” he noted.
Sakaja, however, denied the allegations, claiming the said lawyer was bitter after the County denied his request to represent the county in a case.
“I have never spoken to you on your fees, neither have I ever sent anyone to you. If anything, I have resisted your overtures,” Sakaja replied.
“It's unfathomable that one lawyer wants to be paid more than Ksh1 billion for a matter between governments.”
The city lawyer further threatened to rope in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), explaining legal operations surrounding the payment of legal fees with the country’s laws.
“Even if you bribe Judicial Officers, you will waste your money as computation of legal fees is arithmetic and not guesswork! The law will pay me whether you like it or not. I will not pay you a 50 per cent or 1 per cent bribe,” the lawyer added.
Governor Sakaja has recently been in the limelight following a report by the Auditor General tracking the Nairobi County Government's spending in the Financial Year ended June 2023.
According to the report, Sakaja allegedly made irregular payments to a section of Nairobi County employees including Ksh10 billion as legal fees.
"I have obtained all the information and explanations which, to the best of my knowledge and belief, were necessary for the audit," stated Gathungu in her report.
"In my opinion, the financial statements do not present fairly the financial position of the County Executive of Nairobi City as of 30 June, 2023, and of its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended."
In a rejoinder, Sakaja clarified that the county paid Ksh287 million to lawyers.
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