Mystery over Kerich's trip to America

 Nairobi CEC Member for Finance Charles Kerich was sentenced to jail for contempt of court. [File, Standard] 

The inquiry into the whereabouts of Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Finance Charles Kerich has taken another twist after reports emerged that he was away in the United States of America.

Kerich, who was convicted of contempt of court more than one month ago, has been missing in action, leading to various theories on his whereabouts.

On Tuesday, the Nairobi County Assembly Committee on Implementation, chaired by Makongeni Ward Rep Peter Imwatok, was expecting Kerich to appear as part of a team from the Finance department to deliberate on budget issues ahead of the end of the 2026 Financial Year.

Despite his suspension, the Committee had summoned Kerich citing that he had not official handed over his docket to Ibrahim Nyangoya Auma who was appointed to hold Finance docket in acting capacity.

In a letter through the Nairobi County Acting Secretary that was presented to the Committee, Kerich claimed that he was away on official assignment in the US.

"We wish to inform you that the county executive committee member is currently in the United States of America on official assignment and will therefore be unable to attend the scheduled meetings on 23rd June 2026.

Adding, " The county executive committee member for finance and economic planning will be available to appear before the committee from 10th July 2026 and shall be ready to provide the information and documentation requested in the summons.

This was, however, objected to by the Assembly legal team, who argued that the letter can be accepted if it has supporting documents, including Kerich's travel receipts or authentic documents, and why he was in the country, yet he had been convicted.

Imwatok, the Committee Chairperson, directed that since the legal team had raised concerns about the letter, Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali be invited to the sitting to give more details.

"The Council of this committee raised a concern, which is legally binding, that, subject to the fact that the letter presented by the CECM must be accompanied by evidence of the travel, the conference, how many days it lasted, and the chair, therefore, the county secretary should appear before this committee on July 3rd."

There have been reports that Kerich left the country after the court ruling to avoid arrest with reports swirling that he had landed in Dubai while other sources claimed that he was in the UK.

He was convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to three months in prison on May 19, 2026, for failing to settle a Sh106.7 million legal fee to Kwengu & Company Advocates for services rendered on behalf of Foton East Africa Ltd, which is owed Sh142 million by Nairobi County Government.

The decree was issued on May 19, 2026 by Justice Francis Gikonyo who sentenced Kerich to jail for contempt of court.