Bomas of Kenya, once pitched as a bold cultural facelift, has morphed into a Ksh31.6 billion litmus test for transparency, accountability, and the true custodianship of the nation’s heritage
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By The Weekly Vision Reporter
A multi-billion shilling facelift at Bomas of Kenya, one of the country’s most iconic cultural centres, is now at the centre of intense parliamentary scrutiny. Lawmakers sitting on the Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration, and Agriculture (PIC-SSAA) have demanded full disclosure from the management of Bomas regarding a project expected to cost taxpayers Ksh31.6 billion.
MPs raised concerns about the renovations being carried out by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), financed by the National Treasury, with unclear procurement processes and allegations of a Turkish developer’s involvement.
During a tense session with Bomas CEO Nixon Serede, committee chair Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo MP) insisted that Parliament must have a detailed breakdown of the works being undertaken before it can defend the expenditure to Kenyans.
“This is a good project, but we cannot be able to defend it if you do not set the record straight. We need to know what is going on because most of us see trees being cut and lorries transporting materials. It is only prudent that we get the details,” Wangwe said.
The committee directed Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu to scrutinise the facelift and table a report in the next financial year. MPs also echoed growing public suspicion about Bomas’ ownership. Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino warned that persistent allegations of the enterprise being mortgaged to outsiders could not be ignored.
He added that the committee wanted full documentation on KDF’s involvement and all project details. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi cited public suspicion and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s claim of a Turkish developer’s takeover.
Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow pressed the Bomas management to “come clean” and provide a full cost breakdown of the project. In his submission, CEO Serede downplayed the fears, explaining that the facelift was informed by research conducted by the Tourism Research Institute, which showed the need to modernise Bomas to match similar facilities in Rwanda and South Africa.
He revealed that the project will deliver a new Conference Centre, a Presidential Pavilion, and at least five hotels, with completion slated for June next year to coincide with the hosting of the French Africa Summit.
“The project is being financed by the National Treasury, and the renovations are being done by the Kenya Defence Forces. We are working with them,” Serede told MPs.
Despite the reassurances, the committee remained unconvinced. MPs argued that the absence of clear documentation and transparency only feeds suspicion of foreign encroachment and financial impropriety.
The decision to assign KDF, primarily a security organ, the role of lead contractor has further raised eyebrows, as has the mention of a Turkish firm reportedly involved in some aspects of the work.
The Bomas of Kenya facelift comes at a time when government mega-projects are under increased scrutiny for cost inflation, secrecy, and questionable procurement. With a price tag of Ksh31.6 billion, the project is among the most expensive cultural and hospitality investments in Kenya’s recent history. For now, MPs insist they will not let the matter rest until all project documents are submitted and the roles of every player, local or foreign, are clearly spelled out.
The Bomas facelift, once marketed as a symbol of Kenya’s cultural pride, has now become a litmus test for government accountability, transparency, and fiscal prudence.
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