Ex-Nairobi County Attorney Distances Sonko from Disputed JamboPay Contract in Court

In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over the Web Tribe/JamboPay contract, former Nairobi County Attorney Lydia Kwamboka testified on Monday, distancing former Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko from the controversial agreement. During a cross-examination before Chief Magistrate Charles Ondieki, Kwamboka clarified that Sonko's administration was not obligated to continue using legacy systems inherited from previous county governments, including the disputed JamboPay revenue collection system.

Kwamboka confirmed that Web Tribe Limited, the company behind JamboPay, was initially contracted by the now-defunct City Council of Nairobi to provide revenue collection services. When questioned about why no legal action was pursued against the firm, she explained that her office was not responsible for handling criminal matters, effectively limiting their scope to civil and administrative duties.

Another key witness, Newtone Munene, a businessman and former Nairobi County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for ICT, provided further insight into the matter. Munene revealed that shortly after assuming office, a colleague presented a memo advocating for the termination of the JamboPay contract and the adoption of a new service provider. This move was intended to address inefficiencies in the existing system.

The court also heard an audio recording allegedly capturing a conversation between Sonko and the then-ICT CEC. In the recording, Sonko is heard expressing frustration over the JamboPay system, stating he did not want to "hear the issue of JamboPay" and emphasizing that his administration would not inherit "problems from past regimes." He further alleged that the payment system was being intermittently disabled by unknown parties, complicating revenue collection efforts. Sonko reportedly instructed his team to transition to an upgraded system, noting that the software in use had been operational for over 20 years and was outdated.

Sonko's defense team reinforced his position, arguing that the former governor was unwilling to renew the JamboPay contract due to its inefficiencies. They highlighted his push to modernize Nairobi County's revenue collection system to ensure greater transparency and accuracy. Munene supported this stance in his testimony, stating that Sonko had raised concerns about the system's inability to provide reliable data for decision-making. "My job was to ensure I provided him with a proper data centre," Munene testified. "Web Tribe was collecting revenue, and strangely, they would collect money and pay themselves directly." He added that Sonko was vocal about the illegality of this practice and took decisive action to terminate the contract, citing Web Tribe's failure to deliver sufficient value to the county.

The hearing also referenced Allan Esabwa Igambi, a former Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Finance, who played a role in the county's financial management during Sonko's tenure. Igambi's involvement underscored the broader context of financial oversight during the period in question.

The case, which continues to draw attention due to its implications for governance and financial management in Nairobi County, is scheduled for mention on January 29, 2026. The testimony presented thus far paints a picture of an administration grappling with inherited challenges while striving to implement modern, transparent systems for the benefit of the county.