Sakaja to hire 46 lawyers in City Hall's new partnership with LSK 

Nairobi County has partnered with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) to bolster its legal services by hiring 46 lawyers directly, aiming to mitigate pending legal bills and curb excessive legal costs.

Governor Johnson Sakaja on Thursday announced the initiative, emphasising the county's commitment to streamlining legal expenditures through fixed salaries for these lawyers stationed at City Hall. Currently, City Hall has 26 lawyers.

Speaking to Eastleigh Voice, the Governor said that hiring the lawyers will limit the county from outsourcing.

"Every sector within the county government needs legal counsel. Litigation, conveyancing, contracting, compliance and legislative affairs need proper legal counsel," he said.

The county chief also stated that the lawyers will look into Sh21 billion legal pending bills his administration inherited from the previous regime.

Legal payment from City Hall has been in the spotlight attracting investigation agencies.

In January 2021, the Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission commenced investigations on the payment of legal fees to 26 law firms by City Hall. Also, the county assembly has over time lamented and raised concerns over money paid to legal firms.

In the 2016-17 financial year report, then Auditor General Edward Ouko was concerned about the money the legal department spent, citing Sh592.4 million in unauthorised payments.

In the period under review, the department's legal costs were Sh645.3 million against the approved budgetary allocation of Sh105 million.

According to the report, the department paid 12 law firms Sh314.4 million. The money was spent outside the Integrated Financial Management Information System.

Going further, Governor Sakaja disclosed that the partnership with LSK will aid in shaping the legal framework for public-private partnerships, particularly in the planned ICT infrastructure upgrade for the City Court.

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

The LSK Nairobi Branch, led by Chairman Eric Kivuva, committed and vowed to support various ways in which the two institutions can collaborate to enhance legal services for Nairobi's residents.

These include joint efforts in developing specialised training programs, participation in Legal Aid initiatives, involvement in the legislative process, and partnerships during the Annual LSK Conference and other society activities.