Fresh uncertainty has emerged over the status of Nairobi County Finance CEC Charles Kerich after conflicting accounts were presented on whether he had been suspended from office or was away on an official trip to the United States.

The controversy follows earlier reports that Governor Johnson Sakaja had suspended Kerich after he was sentenced to three months in civil jail for contempt of court over failure to comply with orders requiring payment of Sh106,736,841.83 to Wexing & Company Advocates.

Kerich’s lawyer, Dan Okatch, has disputed claims that his client was suspended, insisting that Kerich had formally requested 21 days from work and was away in the US when the suspension reports emerged.

A letter from the County Public Service Management department, however, indicates that Kerich was suspended from his position following the contempt sentence, deepening confusion over his official administrative status at City Hall.

The dispute has now been complicated further by claims that a supporting affidavit allegedly sworn by Kerich in June was questionable because he was reportedly already out of the country, with the matter raising fresh questions around the contempt proceedings and the county’s handling of the issue.

Kerich has also moved to court seeking to block the contempt conviction and the appointment of his replacement as acting Finance CEC, arguing that the actions taken against him were unlawful.

The matter is expected back in court on July 7, 2026 for further directions.