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The High Court has ordered former Nairobi County Finance Chief Charles Kerich to appear in person on December 7 as a legal row over Sh76.7 million in unpaid legal fees owed to Kwengu & Company Advocates escalates.
Justice Francis Gikonyo directed Kerich’s physical attendance alongside ordering Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Finance County Executive Committee member Ibrahim Auma Nyangoya, and Chief Officer Asha Abdi to respond within 14 days to applications seeking to cite them for contempt of court.
The legal battle stems from a November 2024 ruling by Justice Alfred Mabeya directing the Nairobi County Government to pay Kwengu & Company Advocates Sh106.7 million from money owed to Foton East Africa Ltd. Kerich was convicted of contempt for failing to comply with the directive and sentenced to three months in prison in May 2026.
Execution of the sentence was suspended after the parties struck a court-approved settlement in July 2026. The agreement outlined three tranches: an immediate Sh30 million, Sh36.7 million by October 15, and the remaining Sh40 million by December 15.
However, the law firm contends that City Hall only disbursed the initial Sh30 million before defaulting, leaving an outstanding balance of Sh76.7 million. Per the agreement’s terms, default automatically lifts the stay on execution, allowing enforcement actions to resume.
In a fresh application filed on October 28, Kerich petitioned the court to drop contempt proceedings against him, arguing that he exited his post as finance chief in June 2026 and lacks administrative power to authorize payments.
The law firm and the county government have both opposed Kerich’s request, describing it as defective and an abuse of the court process. Justice Gikonyo will hear the matter on December 7.
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