Nairobi County hires 60 in-house lawyers to cut legal costs, boost service delivery

Beth Nyaga
3 Min Read

The Nairobi County Government has strengthened its legal team with the recruitment of 60 additional in-house lawyers, a move aimed at reducing reliance on external legal counsel, curbing skyrocketing legal bills and enhancing efficiency in service delivery.

Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day induction program for the newly hired legal team, Governor Johnson Sakaja emphasized the county’s commitment to cutting expenditure on outsourced legal services by employing full-time lawyers on permanent and pensionable terms.

“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 own lawyers will not only save costs but also ensure we have greater control over the quality of our legal work,” Sakaja stated.

Previously, Nairobi County had only 24 in-house lawyers.

With the addition of the new recruits, the county will now have a stronger legal team to handle litigation, conveyancing, contracting, compliance, and legislative affairs across various sectors.

This is expected to streamline operations, expedite the resolution of active cases, and ensure better governance.

Governor Sakaja noted that the move aligns with his administration’s broader vision of transforming county governance through effective legal frameworks.

“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 told the lawyers.

The Office of the County Attorney, which operates under the Nairobi City County Attorney Act, 2020, will oversee the legal affairs of the county.

In 2022, Nairobi’s legal bills hit a staggering Ksh 21 billion, underscoring the urgent need to streamline legal services and minimize excessive legal costs.

County Attorney Ireri Nyagah urged the new legal team to uphold integrity and accountability in their work.

“Accountability and integrity must come first. You have a duty to uphold these values and protect the county’s interests in everything you do,” he said.

The Office of the County Attorney is established and executes its mandate under the Office of the County Attorney Act, 2020.

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