The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating dubious legal fees paid out by Nairobi County Government, including to a law firm linked to Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata.

EACC has already written to City Hall to offer explanation on the questionable payments totaling more than Sh500 million made to 26 law firms between 2013 and 2020.

EACC, in a letter to the County Secretary dated January 21, demanded details and supporting documents for payments made to law firms, some linked with top lawyers and politicians.

The payouts saw some law firms get up to as Sh40 million and the lowest Sh2.6 million and EACC seeks details on specific case files handled by the law firms and legal instruction details.

The Commission has asked the county for letters of instructions, contract agreements signed with the law firms between 2013 and 2020, payment vouchers and cheques issued to them.

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The anti-graft body has further demanded details of the pre-qualified law firms by the City County Government and the accompanying minutes approving the pre-qualified firms list.

According to EACC, the probe aims to establish whether impeached Governor Mike Sonko and his predecessor Evans Kidero abused office by using county funds in their personal legal suits.

Among law firms listed in the probe include Irungu Kang’ata and Company Advocates which got Sh3.3 million, Njenga Maina and Co advocates (Sh40 million), Miller and Co- advocates (Sh36 million).

Also in the list are Professor Tom Ojienda and Associates (Sh30 million), E N Omoti and Co advocates (Sh30 million), Wanjiku Maina and Co Advocates (Sh25 million), and Kwanga Mboya and Co advocates (Sh20 million).

According to the Auditor General’s report of 2016-2017, queries were raised over payment of Sh318 million to 12 law firms representing Nairobi county minus relevant approval documents.

But, Kang'ata, who is the Senate Majority Whip, has claimed the probe is a witchhunt, following backlash he has gotten after writing a letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta warning him his Mt Kenya backyard would reject his Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) referenum.