NAIROBI, Kenya, June 18, 2025 — The Nairobi County Assembly has launched an inquiry into a suspected Sh10.7 billion legal fees scandal involving payments made by City Hall to various law firms over the past several years. The probe, spearheaded by the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), seeks to uncover how the massive legal bills were accumulated and whether due processes were followed in the awarding and settlement of contracts.
According to Assembly officials, preliminary findings suggest that several law firms may have received inflated payments without sufficient documentation to justify the claims. The investigation also aims to determine whether senior county officials colluded with external advocates to siphon public funds through fraudulent billing. We are dealing with one of the biggest financial irregularities in Nairobi’s recent history, a committee member said, emphasizing the Assembly’s commitment to accountability.
The scandal comes amid broader scrutiny of City Hall’s financial management, particularly regarding the handling of pending bills and land rate collections. Last week, the county government intensified a crackdown on landowners who owe millions in unpaid rates — including prominent firms linked to the late Peter Muigai Kenyatta and other high-profile individuals. The legal fees probe adds to the mounting pressure on the county executive to improve transparency in its procurement and financial operations.
Insiders revealed that some of the questioned payments date back to previous administrations, suggesting that the issue spans multiple county governments. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is reportedly monitoring the Assembly’s proceedings closely and may open a parallel investigation once the Assembly completes its report. City Hall officials have defended the payments, saying they were made in line with existing contracts and after verification by the County Attorney’s office.
The Nairobi County Assembly is expected to summon past and present officials from the Legal Department, the County Treasury, and several private firms involved. The committee has also indicated plans to recommend reforms in the county’s legal procurement systems to curb similar scandals in the future.
If proven, the Sh10.7 billion scandal could rank among the largest cases of financial mismanagement in devolved government since 2013, underscoring ongoing challenges in ensuring accountability within Kenya’s counties.