Under the leadership of Susan Kihika, the Nakuru County Government finds itself unable to account for a staggering Ksh116 million paid to various private lawyers.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu flagged these irregular legal expenses in her report on the County Executive spending for the 2022-2023 Financial Year.

During the audit period, it was observed that the county engaged these lawyers without adhering to due process, with no evidence provided to justify the substantial payments.

The Office of the Auditor General pointed out that the law firms were directly procured, bypassing standard procurement procedures, despite the absence of urgent circumstances necessitating such actions.

Furthermore, Kihika's administration failed to provide explanations for the direct procurement of these law firms, nor did they furnish required documentation, including approval for the procurement method, appointment of evaluation committees, or signed contracts.

Concerns were raised regarding the lack of itemized fee notes or justifications for the exorbitant legal fees, indicating potential non-competitiveness in the hiring process.

Additionally, the report highlighted another instance of financial mismanagement, revealing that Nakuru County incurred significant losses in a civil case where a decree was issued in 2019, demanding payment of Ksh98 million, with interest accruing thereafter.

Despite the decree, the county failed to comply, resulting in interest charges amounting to Ksh38 million by June 30, 2023, a situation deemed entirely avoidable.

Auditor General Gathungu emphasized the inability to confirm value for money regarding the Ksh116,085,352 expenditure on legal services, underscoring the urgency for accountability and transparency in public fund management.