The President of Kenya’s official residence and workplace has been subject to many conversations over the past weeks owing to its newly unveiled look.
The standout external feature was the new flat roof unlike the traditional roof, which was scraped away by President Ruto’s administration. Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has shed light on whom the government contracted to conduct the costly State House renovation.
He explained that it was only the Kenya Defence Forces who were qualified to execute renovations as it is a key security installation. The clarification came amid shouts of an open tender system for government projects.
He noted that the Kenya Army Engineers Brigade were awarded the contract. This is the division of the KDF responsible for combat engineering, counter-IED operations, construction and infrastructure developments and disaster relief. They are divided into the 10th Engineers Battalion and the 12th Engineers Battalion.
“The architect in State House and the engineers are from the Kenya Defence Forces. Of course, State House is a security installation and the seat of the President of the republic,” Duale stated.
The Environment CS further added that the final design was approved by the Comptroller, Katoo Ole Metito, leading to the commencement of construction works.
“The architects are those of the KDF. It is the Comptroller of the State House who approves the design as he is the accounting officer.”
Renovated Nairobi State House ‘resembles’ Machakos County headquarters
Records from the Controller of Budget’s office indicate that Sh. 10.7 billion had been set aside to refurbish State House and other State Lodges across the country over 12 years, ending in June 2027. As of September 2024, only Sh. 3.3 billion had been spent, with the State House taking up Sh. 1.7 billion.
CS Duale dismissed the concerns raised by Kenyans and encouraged them to remain patient while the investigative agencies responsible for reviewing expenditures carry out their assessments.
“Everything that we do including the building of the State House is anchored on the law. It is not something pedestrian. It is not in the streets,” he said.
“The auditor general, the controller of Budget and the EACC will use the law to see where money was lost in the process or a proper work was not done; State House is no different.”
