There is a looming diplomatic row between Nairobi and Lilongwe after Malawi government initiated probe against a Kenyan law firm over alleged fraud claims amounting to Sh50million, The Informer can authoritatively reveal.
In a new twist, despite existence of audit queries involving the Malawi High Commission to Kenya and Kairu Mbuthia & Kiingati Advocates, Mbuthia implicates the Embassy of non payment.
The law firm had been contracted as a custodian in the stalled rehabilitation of Malawi Chancery and Ambassador’s residence in Nairobi.
The matter is still under investigation and Malawian Attorney General Charles Mhango has been in the country over the same but they are yet to receive formal communication.
Malawi government is pursuing audit queries amounting to Sh50million but Mbuthia says they only received Sh11million.
The law firm was appointed by the government of Malawi to handle some legal work and consultancies and also to facilitate the repair of their chancery and Ambassador’s residence.
Further, with their official’s approval, they appointed a contractor to work on their properties as per the contract which work was not completed due to non payment by the Malawi government.
The Malawi government maintains the the law firm failed to provide the services despite receiving the payment.
The Malawi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament have commenced formal probe but Mbuthia confirmed the Kenyan Foreign Ministry I yet to communicate to his office over the matter.
The audit report conducted since 2013 when the Chancery was reopened following temporary closure shows the amount in question is Sh50million but Mbuthia says they only received Sh11,144,000.