Nairobi County has lost a staggering Ksh 21.37 billion in questionable legal fees, exposing a massive corruption scandal that has drained public funds while basic services remain underfunded. The shocking revelations point to fake legal claims, ghost law firms, and inflated compensation charges that have bled the county dry.
Breakdown of the Fraudulent Payments
- Ksh 1.17 billion paid in fake legal fees for cases that never existed.
- Ksh 4.26 billion lost in court fines due to negligence and mismanagement.
- Ksh 483.8 million funneled to ghost law firms with no verifiable existence.
- Ksh 40 million paid for cases where Nairobi County was not even a party.
- A single law firm charged Ksh 3.3 million in legal fees for a case where compensation was only Ksh 1.02 million.
This financial hemorrhage raises serious questions about accountability within City Hall, especially as Nairobi residents continue to struggle with crumbling infrastructure, inadequate water supply, and poor service delivery.
Johnson Sakaja’s Misplaced Priorities: Millions Spent on Road Washing
While billions vanish into fraudulent legal claims, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has been busy overseeing the washing of city roads—an activity that has sparked outrage among residents. The cost of water for this operation reportedly stands at Ksh 20,000 per session, further highlighting misplaced spending priorities.
Many are questioning why the county is spending millions on cleaning roads instead of addressing more urgent issues such as healthcare, sanitation, and housing. “Instead of fixing the broken drainage systems or investing in reliable water supply, they are pouring money down the drain—literally,” said a frustrated city resident.
History of Corruption in Nairobi County
This is not the first time Nairobi County has been embroiled in financial scandals. Previous administrations have also been accused of mismanaging funds, inflating contracts, and engaging in fraudulent procurement deals. The systemic corruption within the county government has made it nearly impossible for genuine development projects to take off, leaving the city’s infrastructure in a dire state.
The legal fees scam is just the latest in a long list of financial misdeeds that have plagued the county. Investigative reports have previously detailed how law firms with political connections receive inflated payouts, often for cases that never reach the courts. In some instances, firms have been paid millions for legal work that had already been completed by the Attorney General’s office at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Calls for Accountability
With Nairobi County hemorrhaging funds through dubious legal expenditures, pressure is mounting on investigative agencies to take action. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Auditor General, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are being urged to launch thorough investigations into these financial irregularities and hold those responsible accountable.
The scale of the fraud raises critical concerns: Who authorized these payments? Why weren’t proper checks in place? And most importantly, will anyone be held responsible?
Civil society groups and legal experts are now calling for a forensic audit of all payments made to law firms by Nairobi County over the past decade. “We need to follow the money trail. If billions have been lost through dubious legal payments, then we need to identify those responsible and take legal action,” said an anti-corruption activist.
Nairobi Residents Demand Justice
As the scandal unfolds, Nairobi residents are demanding more than just answers—they want justice, transparency, and an end to the blatant looting of public funds. Frustration is mounting as residents deal with perennial problems like poor drainage, inefficient garbage collection, and a lack of proper urban planning.
“This city is falling apart while officials continue to loot. We have hospitals without medicine, roads full of potholes, and an unreliable water supply, yet our leaders are enriching themselves,” lamented a resident from Eastlands.
Political Fallout for Governor Sakaja
Governor Johnson Sakaja, who came into office promising reforms and better service delivery, now finds himself in the eye of a storm. His administration’s involvement in the loss of Ksh 21.37 billion could significantly impact his political future.
Critics argue that instead of focusing on real governance issues, Sakaja has been more concerned with public relations stunts, such as road washing, while the county’s finances spiral out of control. “We elected him to fix Nairobi, not to entertain us with pointless activities,” remarked a local businessman.
If the allegations are proven true, Sakaja could face legal consequences, with activists already calling for his impeachment. The Nairobi County Assembly is also under pressure to scrutinize the county’s financial management and ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes.
What Happens Next?
The big question remains: will the agencies tasked with fighting corruption step in and take decisive action? Nairobi’s history of corruption suggests that powerful individuals often escape justice. However, with increased public scrutiny and media exposure, there is growing hope that this scandal will not be swept under the rug.
The Nairobi County Assembly, the Senate, and national anti-corruption watchdogs must act swiftly to investigate these allegations, recover stolen funds, and ensure accountability.
For now, Nairobi residents will be watching closely, hoping that this time, justice will be served.
