Alego Usonga MP and National Assembly Budget Committee Chair, Sam Atandi, has defended the ongoing renovations at State House Nairobi, terming them essential for restoring dignity to Kenya’s most important official residence.
Speaking during a forum at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Tuesday, Atandi stressed the urgent need to modernise the facility, which he described as being in a “deplorable state” during his first visit under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
“State House is an old house. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll realise it was in a filthy condition. We cannot have the Office of the President in such a state, especially when we are hosting international guests,” Atandi stated.
His remarks come in the wake of growing public scrutiny over the renovations, particularly regarding the Sh1.77 billion budgeted for the works amid pressing economic challenges facing the country.
Documents submitted to Parliament’s Administration and Internal Security Committee indicate that Sh775 million had already been spent on the renovations by September 2024, representing a 44 per cent completion rate.
State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito clarified that the project is being implemented by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Department of Defence (DoD), both of which are responsible for ensuring the facility’s security and structural resilience.
“This is a security facility that attracts security budgets,” Metito told MPs, defending the scale and scope of the upgrades.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi also weighed in, citing practical issues such as leaking roofs and the critical role State House plays in hosting foreign dignitaries.
“It had reached a point where State House was leaking. One can question the extent of the renovation, but you cannot question the need for it,” Mbadi said.
While critics argue that the funds could be redirected to pressing social needs, government officials insist that a dignified and secure State House is non-negotiable for a country positioning itself as a key player on the global stage.
