The Export Processing Zones Authority (Epza) is on the spot for paying two lawyers Sh87 million legal fees before work.
According to an audit report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu, the State corporation paid the two lawyers in advance to represent it in court without Attorney General’s approval.
The firm paid the lawyers Sh35 million and Sh52 million without negotiating the legal fees.
“The payment of the advance deposits of Sh35.3 million and Sh52.7 million, respectively, was irregular and not a proper charge to public funds,” said Gathungu.
The audit shows the negotiations began after Epza wired the money. However, the Auditor said that the management did not provide evidence of how the engagement of the senior counsel was arrived at.
Additionally, Gathungu said that Epza management did not provide evidence of the Attorney General’s, who is the principal legal adviser of the government and public bodies and responsible for representing them in court, approval before engagement of the firms offering legal services.
