
Nairobi City County has saved an estimated KSh 8.48 billion over the last two financial years by reducing its reliance on external law firms and strengthening its internal legal department. A report by the County Assembly鈥檚 Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, covering the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, indicates that the county shifted more legal work to its in-house advocates. This move has substantially reduced legal costs and improved the management of court cases. The legal department also successfully negotiated down legal fees claimed by external law firms. During the review period, the county concluded 174 court cases, with 84 handled by internal lawyers, achieving a 56% success rate for in-house cases. Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson stated that this strategy of strengthening internal legal capacity will continue, allowing savings to be redirected towards service delivery and development projects.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.

The Kenyan Judiciary has affirmed that court operations are continuing normally across the country, with all judicial officers and staff on duty. This assurance comes despite a nationwide boycott announced by the Law Society of Kenya LSK on July 20. The Judiciary stated that all scheduled court processes and proceedings are proceeding as planned, sharing images and video clips of court proceedings from various stations including Milimani, Makadara, and Kisumu. They also reported that 54 cases were heard across nine benches in the Court of Appeal, with all counsel present. The LSK's boycott, which began on July 22, targets specific judges and judicial officers over alleged integrity issues and is set to continue indefinitely until court orders restraining investigations by the Judicial Service Commission, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are lifted. LSK president Charles Kanjama named all six Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice Martha Koome, among those to be avoided.

Residents of Chepkorio in Elgeyo Marakwet protested on July 21 against the government's planned fencing of the Kaptagat Forest ecosystem. They accused the government of proceeding without public participation and raised claims of bribery linked to the project. Protesters chanted "wantam" directed at President William Ruto, with one resident stating that bribery was behind the push to fence the forest. Another protester, Evance Kipkorir, alleged that the region had been sidelined in terms of development despite strong electoral support for Ruto in 2022, citing the transfer of Mashujaa Day celebrations from Elgeyo Marakwet to Eldoret as an example of deliberate marginalization. Residents indicated that the government's handling of the Kaptagat Forest dispute would influence their voting decisions in the 2027 General Election. Protesters also called on Democracy for Citizens Party DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua to intervene and champion dialogue regarding the proposed fencing, urging him to ensure community concerns are heard. The Kaptagat Forest, located in the Rift Valley, has been a point of contention between local communities and government agencies over conservation and land use, with residents concerned about their livelihoods and access to forest resources. In related news, some Kericho residents also threatened to withdraw support for Ruto ahead of the 2027 polls, citing alleged oppression and stalled projects.

Coast Police Commander Ali Nuno announced on Tuesday, July 21, in Mombasa that state security would be withdrawn from any politician found to be hiring or sponsoring goons at political events. Nuno emphasized that police would not tolerate political figures using security officers as cover while simultaneously funding lawlessness. He urged leaders to conduct politics based on ideas and development rather than chaos and individual interests, stating that mixing politics with security would be detrimental to the country. The commander appealed to politicians to engage in principled and mature politics, focusing on national development. This warning comes amidst growing concerns over politically motivated violence at public gatherings.