Former Nairobi County Finance Executive Spared Jail Term

The High Court has lifted a three-month jail term against former Nairobi County Finance Executive Charles Kerich after he settled a Sh106 million legal fees dispute. Kerich has already made an immediate payment of Sh30 million to the law firm Kwengu & Company Advocates involved in the dispute, and the remaining balance will be paid in instalments under a payment schedule presented before the court.

Kerich was initially committed to serving the sentence after being found guilty of contempt of court over failure to comply with previous court orders in the long-running dispute. The court had directed that if he failed to surrender, police officers were to arrest him immediately and present him before the court, warning that he would be treated as a fugitive from justice.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, the court was informed that the parties had reached an agreement on the settlement of the outstanding debt. In light of the agreement and the partial payment already made, Justice Francis Gikonyo lifted the contempt orders against Kerich, stating that he had demonstrated remorse and a willingness to comply with the court's directives.

The court was told that delays in settling the amount were occasioned by bureaucratic processes within Nairobi County, despite efforts to clear the debt. Justice Gikonyo noted that the parties had reached a settlement and that Kerich had made a significant payment towards the debt.

Key Facts

• Sh106 million: the amount owed by Nairobi County to the law firm Kwengu & Company Advocates • Sh30 million: the immediate payment made by Kerich towards the debt • Three months: the jail term that Kerich was initially committed to serving

This development comes as a relief to Kerich, who would have faced a three-month jail term if he had failed to pay the debt. The court's decision to lift the contempt orders against him suggests that he is willing to comply with the court's directives and settle the outstanding debt.

Nairobi Finance CEC's Background

Charles Kerich is a former Nairobi County Finance Executive who has been involved in a long-running dispute over a Sh106 million legal fees debt. The debt was incurred by the county government for legal services rendered by the law firm Kwengu & Company Advocates. Kerich was found guilty of contempt of court over failure to comply with previous court orders in the dispute.

The court's decision to lift the contempt orders against Kerich is a significant development in this case. It suggests that the parties have reached a settlement and that Kerich is willing to comply with the court's directives. However, the exact terms of the settlement are not clear, and it remains to be seen what will happen next in this case.

'The court is satisfied that he has demonstrated remorse and willingness to comply with its orders. The committal order is hereby lifted,' Justice Francis Gikonyo said.

The High Court's decision to lift the contempt orders against Kerich is a significant relief to him and his supporters. However, it remains to be seen what will happen next in this case and what the implications of this decision will be for Kerich and the people of Nairobi.