State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito, speaking before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, insisted that the renovations haven’t compromised the building’s heritage, despite concerns from various groups. He pointed out that State House hadn’t been refurbished in 117 years. ‘The ongoing works aren’t listed in vote 1017 of the budget estimates because we received no allocation for development,’ he said. ‘State House, being a secure location, is also receiving support from other departments. For instance, the pavilion is being handled by the Department of Defence, while the main building is being supported by the National Intelligence Service (NIS). This is due to security-related matters that need addressing’
The ongoing refurbishments at State House in Nairobi have been partly funded by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Department of Defence, staying true to the original structural plans. State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito has explained that the money for these works didn’t come from this year’s budget, as development spending for the 2024/2025 financial year was cut by 54 per cent.
Earlier this month, the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) voiced strong objections to the project. In a public statement, the AAK slammed the updated design, claiming it undermines the building’s historical and architectural value. “The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) is deeply troubled by the ongoing renovations at State House, Nairobi,” the statement began. It went on: “Constructed in 1907 and designed by Sir Herbert Baker, State House is a neo-classical gem that ought to be preserved, not changed. The recent alterations—tinkering with its iconic roof, proportions, and symmetry—are eroding its historical character.”
However, Mr Metito, speaking before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, insisted that the renovations haven’t compromised the building’s heritage, despite concerns from various groups. He pointed out that State House hadn’t been touched up in 117 years. “The ongoing works aren’t listed under vote 1017 in the budget estimates because we received no allocation for development,” he said. “State House, being a secure location, is also getting support from other departments. For instance, the pavilion is being handled by the Department of Defence, while the main building is under the National Intelligence Service (NIS). This is due to security-related matters that need addressing.”
He added that the renovations have only enhanced State House’s appeal, especially since it hosts visiting heads of state. “The work at State House is fine—people are just judging from a distance,” he remarked. “We haven’t lost any structural designs. The roofs are as it always was—it’s still there and, frankly, even more striking. The project isn’t finished yet, so there’s no cause for alarm. Our national heritage remains intact.”
Before the renovations began, State House boasted its original neo-classical design, crafted by British architect Sir Herbert Baker in 1907. The current upgrades, carried out by a Chinese contractor, aim to modernise the nearly 120-year-old building. Work kicked off in December 2023 and is expected to wrap up in the coming months.
