Why new-look State House has sparked outrage instead of praise

Controversy has erupted around State House, President William Ruto’s official residence, following the billions of shillings spent on its renovation at a time when the government is advocating for austerity measures.

Questions have also been raised regarding the legality and the wisdom of altering the exterior of a historic site that has been at the heart of Kenya’s history and governance for the past 118 years.

This is the residence that 17 colonial governors once ruled from during Kenya’s colonial era. It is the same building from which all five of Kenya’s presidents have governed the country for the past 60 years.

As outraged Kenyans continue to question the government’s priorities, reports from the Controller of Budget have revealed the extent of the billions spent on renovating State House, including changes to its exterior, which have made the building almost unrecognisable.

Florence Nyole, President of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), stated that while renovations may be necessary, it is crucial to maintain the architectural integrity of such buildings.

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She explained that available information suggests significant alterations have been made to the classical architectural style of State House.

“This is where we begin to part ways, and there is a need for public participation on projects involving public buildings. State House is a protected site, a seat of power that deserves respect, yet even these plans could have been shared with the public,” she said.

Nyole added: “As it stands, the building has deviated completely from its original form. It is now unrecognisable.”

In a statement on Monday, the AAK said that public buildings and other key national structures requiring renovation should be listed by the National Museums of Kenya and subjected to public scrutiny before any work proceeds.

According to AAK, notable changes to State House include the replacement of the iconic red roofing tiles, and the addition of a roof parapet that is deeper than the previous roof moulding, thus giving the building a flat roof design.

Other changes include the merging of two entrances into a large canopy, which potentially includes a drop-off point, thereby “drastically altering the building’s symmetry and classic proportions.”

The AAK also noted that the new parapet depth has obscured key architectural features, such as the chimneys, which had previously given the house a distinct look. It remains unclear whether these features were retained.

“The design changes diminish the recognition of State House as we know it,” AAK said in a media statement. “While Nairobi’s State House has not been officially declared a national monument, it undoubtedly qualifies as a structure of immense historical significance. Having witnessed defining moments in Kenya’s history, its preservation should be a national priority.”

Kenya Defence Forces

AAK also expressed concern that the ongoing renovations have significantly compromised the historical and cultural value of “an architectural masterpiece in the neo-classical style,” which follows the Doric and Corinthian orders, evident in its columns and the mouldings around the roof eaves.

Shammah Kiteme, President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), stated that given State House has stood for over a century, significant renovations were to be expected at some point.

“As a national security installation, the Kenya Defence Forces have been involved in ensuring the building’s structural integrity is preserved,” he said.

Kiteme acknowledged that Kenyans have a right to question the renovations.

“We appreciate that State House is a national asset, part of Kenya’s heritage, and Kenyans have the right to know what is happening and to question the facts and figures,” he said.

Many Kenyans continue to voice their displeasure over the renovations at State House, arguing that the country’s most famous address has lost its style and character.

Historical buildings often hold deep cultural, historical, and emotional significance, and the alterations to State House have induced a loss of tangible connections to the past. To many, this seems like erasing a part of Kenya’s history, with the modern changes feeling inauthentic.

In addition to voicing their frustration over the design changes, Kenyans are questioning whether renovations of State Houses and State Lodges are a priority while so many are struggling with economic hardship.

During the height of the Gen Z protests last year, the President committed to implementing austerity measures aimed at reducing government expenditure, following public rejection of the Finance Bill 2024. He pledged that these measures would begin with the Executive Office of the President and extend to other government agencies.

“I direct that operational expenditure in the Presidency be reduced to eliminate allocations for the confidential vote, reduce the travel budget, hospitality, vehicle purchases, renovations, and other expenditures,” the President stated.

Despite this assurance, renovations of various State Houses and State Lodges have continued, with reports from the Controller of Budget showing several allocations for the works.

Kenyans, however, argue that such projects are not a priority given the current economic state.

“With businesses closing and people losing their jobs, renovating State House can wait,” said Haron Ochieng, a mechanic in Kibera’s Soweto.

The Controller of Budget (CoB) report covering the first quarter of the 2024/25 Financial Year summarises some of the works undertaken by State House, the project values, and the percentage of completion.

Subsequent reports from the CoB office show that State House is among the biggest spenders of public money.

For example, refurbishment of buildings at State House Nairobi began in July 2015, with an estimated cost of Sh1.77 billion, and works are expected to be completed by June 2027. Cumulative funding for the project stands at Sh775 million, with 44 per  cent of the works completed.

Other projects highlighted in the CoB report include the Eldoret State House, which has a budget of Sh926 million, with cumulative funding of Sh47 million. The works are expected to be completed by June 2027, with only five per cent completed.

Duale defence

Renovations at Kisii State Lodge were valued at Sh795 million as of July 2019, with cumulative funding of Sh15.96 million, and works are expected to be completed within the same period.

Sagana State Lodge was allocated Sh388 million in July 2016, with cumulative funding of Sh106 million, and is expected to be completed by June 2027.

Mtito Andei State Lodge, which has rarely been used by any president since Jomo Kenyatta’s time, was allocated Sh45 million but has only received Sh240,000.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale defended the renovations, saying they followed procedures under the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act and the Public Procurement and Disposal (PPD) Act before work commenced.

He compared the revamped State House to similar projects in the region, such as Tanzania’s State House in Dodoma.

“This is Kenya’s face to visiting dignitaries. State House does not belong to William Ruto. It is not his home; it is for posterity and future presidents,” he said in a TV interview.

Duale also stated that the reconstruction works are being carried out by Kenya’s security agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces, and therefore “we cannot go to the streets to seek public views.”

AAK pointed out that precedents for altering historical sites had been set when the previous government undertook renovations at Uhuru Park.

“Similar changes were made to the Uhuru Park Pavilion, which was demolished without consideration for its historical significance, depriving future generations of a connection to their past,” AAK stated.

“Other national landmarks, such as the National Jubilee Palace in Addis Ababa and Ghana’s Christiansborg Castle, have been preserved as national monuments, maintaining their original character for centuries. Similarly, renowned sites such as Westminster Abbey and the White House have undergone careful preservation to retain their historical essence. Kenya must adopt a similar approach, prioritising restoration over drastic design alterations,” Nyole added.

AAK has called on the government to halt further alterations to State House and establish clear regulations to guide heritage conservation, while consulting experts and the public in preserving national landmarks.