Duale Defends Govt's Spending Of Ksh3.3B To Renovate State House

Environment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale on Sunday, February 2 defended the government's move to spend Ksh3.3 billion on renovating State House in Nairobi, a few days after images of the new-look House on the Hill surfaced online.

In January 2024, renovations led to the closure of the main building of the Nairobi State House, with President William Ruto relocating his office to the newly constructed pavilion, where he has been holding Cabinet meetings and welcoming visiting heads of state and other high-ranking officials. Additionally, some engagements have taken place at state lodges in various regions of the country.

The images of the renovated State House emerged last week as the President hosted Guinea-Bissau President Général Umaro El Mokhtar Sissoco Embalo, who was on a State Visit to Kenya.

Duale, who appeared on Citizen TV, however, dismissed uproar from some Kenyans over the refurbishment, arguing that State House is the country’s face before visiting dignitaries and the upgrade is justified.

The CS, referring to himself as "one of the 22 privileged Cabinet Secretaries" who have extensively travelled with President Ruto, stated that if Kenyans had visited other countries and seen the condition of their State Houses, they would better appreciate the renovations.

Previously, the house featured a distinct red-tile roof complete with chimneys, though it is unclear whether the chimneys remain intact.

The original structure had two drive-through entrance porches: the left one, primarily used by the President and his guests as the main entrance, and the right one serving as a secondary access point to the symbolic powerhouse.

The left porch was adorned with the presidential standard and the East African Community flag, while the right porch displayed the national flag. These porches have since been removed and replaced with a single, centrally positioned porch, forming a drop-off point with a canopy.

Additionally, the roof appears to have been extended, with new columns installed along the driveway, possibly to support the expanded roof or enhance the building's aesthetics.

This marks the second time in just over two years that State House Nairobi has undergone significant renovations. In late 2022, a few months after President Ruto took office, the building received a fresh coat of paint and a cabro-paved front courtyard. Additionally, the decade-old wooden pavilion was demolished and replaced with a modern, state-of-the-art pavilion featuring meeting rooms.

As of September 2024, Ksh3.3 billion had already been invested in the project, with the Nairobi segment valued at Ksh1.7 billion. By that time, Ksh775 million had been spent, indicating a 44 percent completion rate.

Records from the Controller of Budget show that no funds were used between June and December 2024, following the budget cuts ordered by the President after the withdrawal of the 2024 Finance Bill. Despite this, construction continued, resulting in the revamped State House. There is a possibility that some pending bills for the project have yet to be disclosed.

During the 2022/2023 financial year, which ended in June 2023, State House spent Ksh59.8 million, likely for the initial renovations under President Ruto. In the following financial year, ending June 2024, an additional Ksh160.4 million was paid for major refurbishments, bringing the total reported expenditure to Ksh220.3 million.

Originally designed and constructed in 1907 by British architect Herbert Baker, the building was initially known as Government House. During the colonial era, it served as the official residence of Sir Edward Gregg, the then-governor of Kenya. Following independence, it was renamed State House and designated as the official residence of the head of state.

Since then, the building has not undergone any significant renovations, raising concerns about its structural integrity. This prompted the president to order a facelift.

A photo collage of different cabro blocks installed at State House pavement in 2023. /PCS