Nairobi News

When former Nairobi County Attorney Lydiah Kwamboka appeared before the County Assembly Committee Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) in July 2023, it was evident she was at war with her colleagues at the Finance department.

“Yes, I’m very angry as you can see. I feel my roles have been usurped and someone is trying to taint my name outside there on social media,” she told the media outside the committee room.

It was revealed by the committee that Kwamboka, who was still serving as the County Attorney at the time of appearance, had differed with the Finance department on the payment of pending bills to some of the legal firms owing the county.

As it stands, the pending bills from the legal fees stands at Sh21 billion, which is being scrutinized and verified by Governor Johnson Sakaja’s taskforce before any payment is made.

According to the then-Attorney, her office had a budget of Sh60 million which was meant to reduce legal fees, and her office had approved the amount to be used to pay some of the firms with small claims, ranging from Sh300,000 to Sh3 million.

However, to her surprise, the office of the Chief Finance Officer went ahead and paid the Sh60 million randomly to the firms which were not on her list.

After listening to her side of the story, JLAC Committee summoned her to appear on the next meeting which was to be communicated later, together with Chief Finance Officer, Ms Asha Abdi.

However, the letter seen by Nairobi News from the Acting County Secretary Mr Patrick Analo dated August 7, 2023, asked the then-Attorney to facilitate smooth transfer of office, since her contract ended on December 2022.

Also, her dismissal came amidst ongoing investigation from the Directorate of Criminal Investigatoions (DCI) relating to fraudulent payment of millions to nine firms which did not supply any goods or services to the county government.

The nine companies on the list of detectives includes Larsen Investment Company, Burasha General Suppliers Limited Tweem Limited, Future Link Limited, and Cloud Mobile Technologies Limited.
Others are AR Pharmaceuticals Limited, Instabul Investment Limited, Ramecon Engineering Limited and Brigit West Limited.

In November 2023, a section of Members of County Assembly questioned why the then-Attorney was still in office, yet she had been suspended over graft during the last regime.

According to Nairobi West MCA Rex Omolleh, Kwamboka was in office illegally, and that JLAC had earlier recommended for termination of her contract over abuse of office, and that she did not have a valid advocate practicing certificate.

While defending her office, Kwamboka said she had been reappointed by the former Governor Ann Kananu in July 2022 for another term of six years.

Also, the recent petition from a resident called John Mark Ojiambo tabled before JLAC committee had called for the removal of Kwamboka following the expiry of her term in 2018, and her suspension under former governor Mike Sonko.

Meanwhile, the petition had claimed that the then-Attorney single handedly sourced Njenga Maina and Company Advocates to take up over 60 cases related to City Hall even when the law firm had not been pre-qualified to offer legal services to the county.

During her tenure, her office was on spot over the payment of Sh250 million to a prominent politician for the acquisition of 2.5 acre piece of land which is located in Mukuru kwa Reuben.

The land in Mukuru kwa Reuben is still being investigated by EACC and several politicians have been summoned and recorded statement over it.

Currently, a section of MCAs including Kileleshwa member Mr Robert Alai are backing her removal and immediate vacation of office, and handover the office to the Acting Attorney pending the formal appointment of County Attorney.

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