How lawyers will share Sh567 million IEBC presidential election petition legal fees

A recent report tabled in Parliament has revealed that the lawyers who represented the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during the 2022 presidential election petition will be paid a total of Sh567.3 million.

The IEBC had hired 28 different law firms to defend the commission in the petition that was filed by Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga against President William Ruto.

The petition was eventually dismissed by the seven judges of the Supreme Court who unanimously upheld Ruto's election.

Leading the legal team for the IEBC at the Supreme Court was Senior Counsel Githu Muigai of the Mohamed Muigai LLP law firm.

The pre-trial Conference for the presidential petition underway at the Supreme Court of Kenya. Pulse Live Kenya

Of the total bill, Muigai's law firm will receive Sh34.8 million, while Senior Counsel Abdikadir Hussein Mohamed of the Abdikadir & Abdikadir Advocates will pocket Sh26.7 million.

Senior Counsel Kamau Karori, the team leader of IKM Advocates, will receive Sh26.7 million, and another unnamed law firm will also receive Sh26.7 million.

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Apart from the above law firms, the IEBC also owes Sh20.9 million to each of the law firms listed below:

Murugu, Rigoro and Company Advocates
Garane and Somane Advocates
SM Kilonzo Associates
Mukele Moni and Company Advocates
Dr. Mutubwa Law
JK Kibicho and Company Advocates
Wekesa and Simiyu Advocates
Tiego and Company Advocates
G and A Advocates LLP
Manyonge Wanyama and Associates Advocates

In addition, several other law firms will each be paid Sh17.4 million, including:

Hassan Mutembei and Company Advocates
Sagana Biriq Advocates
Muchemi and Company Advocates
Ngeri, Omiti and Bush Advocates LLP
Kang'ethe Mola and Company Advocates
Ng'etich, Chiira and Associates Advocates
Samba and Odeck and Mulama Company Advocates

Kenya's Supreme Court judges (L-R) Isaac Lenaola, Smokin Wanjala, DCJ Philomena Mwilu, CJ Martha Koome, Mohamed Ibrahim, Njoki Ndung'u and William Ouko during day one of hearing the consolidated presidential election petition on August 31, 2022 [Photo: Zakheem Rajan] Pulse Live Kenya

Finally, five law firms were hired specifically to provide research for the presidential poll petition against Dr. Ruto, and each of these firms will be paid Sh13.92 million.

The firms include Mutai and Oduor Advocates, Meritad Law Africa, ZK Yego and Company Advocates, Sheikh Shariff Advocates, Robson Harris Advocates, and Keli Mwinzi Advocates.