Wako’s office dismisses lawyer’s Sh600m claim

By NANCY AKINYI

Attorney General Amos Wako says lawyer Kenneth Kiplagat has no right to claim Sh600 million from the State on account of Word Duty Free proceedings at The Hague.

Mr Wako, through Deputy Solicitor General Muthoni Kimani, told the court he has proof to show Kiplagat did not represent the republic at the proceedings concluded in 2006.

Kimani told trial judge Muga Apondi that the AG’s office would be calling witnesses to prove Kiplagat’s role at The Hague.

"My Lord, our records and tribunal details are very clear. Kiplagat merely attended proceedings and we will call witnesses to state the purpose of his appointment and who he was representing there," she said.

Muthoni told court it was a reputable international law firm with renowned advocates who represented Kenya and were paid slightly more than Sh100 million.

"I don’t understand why an advocate who merely attended proceedings could demand Sh600 million while the international law firm was only paid slightly over Sh100 million," she said.

The court heard the international law firm of Freshfields Bruckhaus Derringer with advocates Jan Paulson, Constantine Partasides and Mitesh Kotecha represented Kenya.

Muthoni was arguing out an application in which the Government wants Kiplagat’s affidavit struck out.