State House allocated another Sh890 million more for renovation

By Newsflash Writer

The taxpayer will use Sh894.9 million to further renovate Kenya’s State House in Nairobi, Newsflash can reveal.

According to National Treasury documents for the 2025/2026 financial year, Sh2.3 billion has been allocated to the Executive Office of the President.

Of this, Sh894.9 million will go specifically toward rehabilitation and refurbishing works — a significant annual budget item. State House Nairobi will receive the lion’s share: Sh680.7 million.

Other State lodges lined up for repairs include Eldoret (Sh60.1 million), Sagana (Sh15 million), Mombasa (Sh42.5 million), Nakuru (Sh25 million), Kisumu (Sh24 million), Kakamega (Sh25 million), Kisii (Sh12.5 million), and a mechanical garage (Sh10 million). These upgrades follow earlier architectural warnings that parts of the 117-year-old Nairobi residence were structurally compromised.

Public outcry over priorities

The renovations — especially the redesign that flattened the State House’s colonial-style roofing — have triggered a backlash, including condemnation from the Architectural Association of Kenya. The works appear to contradict Kenya Kwanza’s earlier pledges to eliminate luxury spending, particularly following mass protests by youth over proposed tax hikes in the 2024 Finance Bill.

Curiously, a previous Sh1.5 billion budget for the renovations was removed in the second supplementary budget for 2024/2025. However, the funding resurfaced under the 2025/2026 budget with Sh894.9 million earmarked.

Treasury officials maintain that the funds are essential to support the President’s constitutional role. “In the fiscal year 2025/26 and throughout the medium-term period, the State House will support His Excellency in executing the constitutional mandate,” reads the budget statement.

President Ruto is not alone in upgrading presidential residences. His predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, invested heavily in landscaping and furnishings, notably at Sagana State Lodge. Records from the Controller of Budget show that in his final two years, Kenyatta spent Sh10.7 billion on similar refurbishments.

Under Ruto’s watch, the government spent Sh122.8 million on renovations in 2022/2023 and Sh50 million in 2023/2024 for refurbishing the Office of the President.

Despite the justification for security and functionality, critics argue the spending is excessive. Kisumu West MP Rozaah Buyu said: “We are spending too much beautifying the State House. If Kenyans are suffering because of budget cuts, the State House should take the lead in tightening its belt.”

In March, State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito told MPs the renovations were being handled by the National Intelligence Service and Ministry of Defence, a revelation that did little to quell concerns.

Critics question hidden agendas

Lawyer and activist Joshua Okayo believes the refurbishments are a smokescreen for misappropriation. “State House renovations have become a money-minting machine,” he said. “They do a little work to show something was done, and then steal the rest.”

He added that the expenditures betray the government’s promise of people-centered leadership. “If this was truly a people-centered administration, that money would be redirected to services that benefit citizens.”

Governance expert Javas Bigambo, while acknowledging the symbolism and security considerations of State House, called for transparency. “There should be a clear valuation showing the necessity — whether structural, functional, or aesthetic. Renovations must not represent imagined luxury.”

Bigambo emphasized that security installations like State House should be upgraded “in a manner that is not opulent but reasonably cautious.” He added that renovations should align with the country’s economic reality and be justified by genuine need.

Billions more approved in supplementary budgets

In a controversial move just days before the end of the financial year, State House was among 15 government agencies awarded a combined Sh2.8 billion under the third supplementary budget for 2024/25. This figure is part of a Sh50.93 billion mini-budget that Treasury CS John Mbadi has tabled for National Assembly approval under Article 223 of the Constitution.

Of this amount, Sh9.3 billion has already been disbursed. The additional allocations — comprising Sh27.7 billion in recurrent and Sh23.2 billion in development expenditures — come as the government faces increasing pressure to curb runaway spending.

In March, State House received Sh3.81 billion in the second supplementary estimates. With the new Sh2.8 billion, the presidency’s total annual budget now stands at Sh10.92 billion — a steep increase from the Sh4.31 billion approved by Parliament in June 2024.

According to Treasury data, Sh358.2 million of the Sh2.8 billion was withdrawn on May 15, 2025. In a request to Parliament dated May 23, 2025, CS Mbadi said the additional disbursements were granted in line with Article 223 of the Constitution.

As the House on the Hill continues to evolve under President Ruto’s tenure, Kenyans are left questioning whether the costs — both financial and symbolic — align with the country’s economic condition and leadership values.

To some, the renovations reflect statecraft and institutional pride. To others, they exemplify government excess in a time of sacrifice. Either way, the conversation about power, priorities, and public trust is far from over.