IN PICTURES: Ruto Unleashes Photos Offering Glimpse Of Another State House Revamp
President Ruto's meetings with regional leaders aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and discussing critical issues in the East African region.
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto on Wednesday, January 3 shared never-before-seen images of the Presidential pavilion at State House, Nairobi, leaving Kenyans wondering if it was another one of those revamp works being done at the country's highest office.
The photos were shared on his social media accounts while he met Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo for discussions in ending the conflict in Sudan through dialogue.
President Ruto's meetings with regional leaders aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and discussing critical issues in the East African region.
President William Ruto held talks with the RSF Leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, State House, Nairobi on January 3, 2024. /PCS
Before he met with Dagalo, the Head of State held engagements that included discussions with Somalia Foreign Minister Ali Mohamed Omar, South Sudan special envoys General Akol Koor Kuc and General Simon Makuac Yen on Tuesday, January 2.
"Kenya appreciates the commitment by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo in ending the conflict in Sudan through dialogue.
"The ongoing Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) talks should bring about a political settlement that would effect a lasting peace in the country. We are looking forward to nothing but a peaceful resolution and a stable neighbour," Ruto stated in part.
The images however left many questioning if State House went through another transformation or if the pictures were from a previously undisclosed area within the official residence.
"Which part of State House is this? Ama there is a new building there?" NTV Managing Editor in charge of Audiences and Engagement Oliver Mathenge posed.
"State House, Nairobi has been redecorated to the taste of its new tenant. It no longer looks like the former colonial house.
President William Ruto met South Sudan special envoy General Akol Koor Kuc at State House Nairobi on January 2, 2024. /PCS
"The country's seal is in the centre of the Presidential office carpet. This is not the presidential room that his predecessors hosted meetings," award-winning African journalist, Mwangi Maina, weighed in.
According to Maina, the Presidential Pavilion at State House will be used for State Receptions and Meetings.
The former colonial house where foreign leaders were hosted underwent massive renovations, though Maina recommended that the flag protocols needed some improvement.
On August 21, 2023, President Ruto unveiled a fresh look at the landscape at State House during the visit of Indonesian President, Joko Widodo.
This was State House's second major transformation of its grounds in less than a year and according to photos shared by the Kenyan president, the terraces at the country's highest house received a fresh makeover.
The terrace is frequently used for official events and ceremonies, especially those dealing with other Heads of State and governments whenever they're visiting the country, and who are treated with a one-of-a-kind guard of honour documented via drones in the air taking photos for sharing on social media.
The cabro terrace was revamped from its original rectangular pattern to an edgy configuration and took a darker hue in terms of colour compared to the previous cabro that sent tongues wagging on social media in February 2023.
In November 2023, MPs were divided over the increased allocations to State House to finance renovations.
The Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) report on the supplementary budget estimates revealed that State House got an additional Ksh2.6 billion to Ksh9.9 billion.
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