City Hall hires 60 lawyers to expands in-house legal team to curb costs

To reduce reliance on external legal services, curb soaring legal costs, and enhance service delivery, Nairobi County has recruited 60 additional in-house lawyers.

Speaking after a two-day induction for the new legal team, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja commended the move, highlighting the burden of hefty legal bills accrued from outsourcing legal services.

"We have had cases where a single legal firm bills Nairobi County over a billion shillings. As a government, we cannot continue down this path. Hiring our lawyers will not only save costs but also ensure that we have greater control over the quality of our legal work," Sakaja said on Friday.

Prior to this recruitment, the county had 24 in-house lawyers. With the new additions, the legal team now stands at 84, enabling the county to better manage its legal affairs while reducing reliance on costly external firms.

The lawyers will be stationed in various county departments, specialising in litigation, conveyancing, contracting, compliance, and legislative affairs, ensuring a streamlined and efficient legal process.

Sakaja said that the newly recruited lawyers would play a critical role in transforming the county's governance and ensuring proper implementation of legal frameworks in line with his administration's vision.

"You are a crucial part of this administration, and we have high expectations for you to deliver on our manifesto. Even if you face resistance, remain steadfast, and let your conscience guide you. You are transforming lives and restoring hope," he urged.

The Office of the County Attorney, which oversees legal affairs in the county, operates under the Nairobi City County Attorney Act, 2020. It is mandated with providing legal counsel and safeguarding the county's interests.

Nairobi County Attorney Lydia Ireri reminded the new team of their duty to uphold integrity and accountability.

"Accountability and integrity must come first. You have a duty to uphold these values and not compromise the county's interests. Always aim to protect the county's interests in everything you do," she noted.

The move to expand the legal team follows concerns over Nairobi County's legal expenditure.

In 2022, the county's legal bills stood at a staggering Sh21 billion, prompting urgent reforms in how legal services are managed.

Last year, Nairobi County announced a partnership with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to further strengthen its legal framework and mitigate excessive legal costs.

The collaboration aimed to streamline legal expenses by placing lawyers on fixed salaries at City Hall, eliminating reliance on expensive external legal firms.

Legal payments from City Hall have long been a subject of scrutiny, with various investigative agencies probing financial irregularities.

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In January 2021, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission launched investigations into payments made to 26 law firms by City Hall.

Additionally, the county assembly has consistently raised concerns over the large sums paid to external legal firms.

A 2016-17 financial year report by then Auditor General Edward Ouko highlighted unauthorised payments amounting to Sh592.4 million, with the department's legal costs hitting Sh645.3 million against an approved budget of Sh105 million.

The partnership between Nairobi County and LSK is expected to shape legal frameworks for public-private partnerships, particularly in upgrading the ICT infrastructure at City Court. Governor Sakaja affirmed the county's commitment to improving efficiency in the judicial process.

"We are enhancing the ICT infrastructure at City Court to expedite justice delivery, ensuring prompt resolution of minor cases without undue delays," he said.