State House Kenya, Lodges Renovations To Cost Kenyan Taxpayers KSh 1.3b

• President William Ruto will work away from State House, Kenya for two months to pave the way for costly renovations
• State House, Mombasa was allocated KSh 302 million in the revised budget, down from an initial planned expenditure of KSh 382 million
• This came after the head of state's budget was increased from KSh 6.4 billion to KSh 9.9 billion despite opposition from Kenyans

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

The government is refurbishing State House Kenya in Nairobi and state lodges nationwide.

What will State House Kenya and lodges renovations cost?

The substantial KSh 1.309 billion expenditure aims to revitalise the president's official residence, addressing structural improvements and enhancing its facilities.

According to Daily Nation, State House Kenya will take the largest chunk of KSh 795.47 million, up from an initial budget of KSh 195.47 million.

State House, Mombasa was allocated KSh 302 million in the revised budget, down from KSh 382 million.

The renovation of State House Nakuru would cost taxpayers KSh 195.49 million, while the Eldoret State Lodge would gobble KSh 30 million.

Other state lodges will cost as follows: Sagana (KSh 27 million), Kakamega (KSh 10 million), Kisumu (KSh 9.94 million) and Kisii (KSh 9 million).

The mechanical garage will be refurbished at KSh 800,000.

Critics on social media expressed concern over the hefty cost and questioned whether the expenditure was justifiable, particularly given other pressing financial priorities in the country.

How State House Kenya renovations began

• A few months after President William Ruto took power, he replaced the tarmac at State House, Kenya, with cabros.
• Some netizens opposed the move to replace the courtyard's traditional tarmac surface with cabros, saying the former was more durable.
• The new Presidential Pavilion at State House, Nairobi, captured the attention of Kenyans after it was constructed discreetly.
• This came President William Ruto's budget was increased from KSh 6.4 billion to KSh 9.9 billion, while that of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was enhanced from KSh 3.5 billion to KSh 4.2 billion.
• State House in Kenya will be out of bounds for nearly two months, during the ongoing renovations.