Lawmakers flag rising legal costs from delayed govt court settlements
By Faith Lagat, May 26, 2026The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns over rising financial losses linked to the delayed settlement of court awards by government institutions.
The issue was discussed during scrutiny of the Auditor-General’s report for the 2023/2024 financial year, focusing on the State Department for Livestock Development.
Chaired by Tindi Mwale, Butere MP, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the committee questioned Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke and senior officials over a contingent liability that had escalated due to accumulated interest.
The Auditor-General reported that a court award initially valued at Ksh5.2 billion had been reduced to Ksh4 billion following negotiations, but remains unpaid despite a 2018 directive from the Attorney-General to settle the matter.
PS Mueke told the committee that the department had repeatedly requested budgetary allocation to clear the award, but no funds had been released by the National Treasury.
“The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Tindi Mwale Butere MP has raised concern over billions of shillings lost through court awards and interest accrued from delayed payments by government institutions,” read the Parliament of Kenya post in part.
Concerns Over Delays and Taxpayer Burden
Committee members expressed concern over delays in settling the liability, noting that continued non-payment has increased costs borne by taxpayers. Nabii Nabwera Lugari MP, Mary Emaase Teso South MP, Edwin Mugo Mathioya MP, and Marianne Kitany Aldai MP said earlier settlement would have prevented the escalation of interest and legal costs.
Similar concerns were raised by Adow Mohamed, Wajir South MP, Naisula Lesuuda, Samburu West MP, and Yakub Kuno, Bura MP, who said delays in compliance with court rulings place an unfair burden on citizens. Members noted that repeated postponement of payments undermines public confidence in government financial management.
Committee Chair Orders Treasury and AG Summons
Mwale directed that the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and the Attorney-General appear before the committee to explain the delay in releasing funds and to outline measures for addressing pending court awards across government departments.
“The issue of pending court awards and accruing penalties cuts across several State departments,” said Hon. Mwale. “As a Committee, we want to hear what measures are being put in place to protect taxpayers’ money.”
The Auditor-General’s findings indicate that delayed settlement of court awards continues to generate additional interest, increasing government liabilities beyond initial rulings.
The committee noted that such cases often stem from budgetary constraints and administrative delays, leading to prolonged financial exposure for the State.