Bomas of Kenya's legacy in jeopardy as bulldozers move in for Sh31.6B project

The late Barack Obama Senior must be turning in his grave at the sight of bulldozers and excavators ripping apart the Bomas of Kenya.

Obama Snr, according to archives, was among the brains behind the centre's established in 1971 as a special repository where Kenya’s diverse cultural heritage would be preserved and showcased.

Now, 54 years later, that dream is being dismantled. The proposed Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC) threatens to erase Kenya’s cultural heritage forever, replacing it with a modern structure that risks overshadowing the site’s historical significance as envisioned by the father of the 44th US President, Barack Obama.

“Were he alive, he could be disappointed to see the country’s history being destroyed by bulldozers,” says a long-serving Bomas of Kenya senior employee who retired recently.

With the military personnel on site supervising demolition of decades-old structures, Kenya’s rich history is being buried in the rubble.

It all begun at the start of this year when activities at the facility were scaled down after a number of staff breaking for Christmas festivities were informed not to return to work in January.

The halting of bookings was another sign that all was not well – but the employees who were lucky to resume work persevered, praying for the best.

Then out of the blue, bulldozers arrived followed by excavators under heavy military security. They were told the facility was set for a major renovation.

For the past three weeks, the earthmovers have completely changed the face of Bomas of Kenya.

Some of the employees say they struggle holding back tears watching a place they have known home and a sanctuary for Kenya’s traditions being torn apart.

“The whole place is a total mess; Bomas is gone. The roof of the main auditorium is being removed, Baraza Hall has been brought down while the VIP rooms that accommodated about 200 guests have been reduced to debris. So is the media centre,” says a staff.

At the moment, a paltry 20 staff members out of the close to 200 have remained to secure items from the demolished structures. 

Regarded as Africa’s unique masterpiece, the auditorium has capacity to hold close to 3,000 people.

Baraza Hall was a mini-auditorium complete with three-breakaway rooms for holding indoor activities like music performances, cultural workshops, seminars, and poetry. Next to this stood the Utamaduni Hut that depicts a typical Maasai hut. It used to serve Kenya’s traditional cuisines.

And now, the Sh31.6 billion project is shrouded in controversy, especially after the contractor last week won a court case against the government.

On November 22, 2023, the Ministry of Defence awarded the tender to a Turkish firm, Summa Turizm Yatirimciligi Anomin Sirketi, to turn the place into an international complex akin to the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.

However, in October last year, the ministry abruptly terminated the tender, 329 days after the award.

"But after nearly a year of silence and no signed contract, the ministry wrote to the firm on October 16, 2024, to terminate the award," according to court papers.

This is after the construction firm had on November 6, 2024, informed the ministry that it had secured financing for up to 80 per cent and was waiting for confirmation.

Aggrieved by the decision to terminate the contract, the Turkish firm moved to the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board, which on December 23, 2024, ruled in its favour and directed the Defence ministry to conclude the procurement within 90 days.

As the matter played out in court, President William Ruto announced the Cabinet had, on March 11, resolved to put up the complex.

“The project aims to redefine the look, feel, and purpose of Bomas, positioning it as a premier destination for global events,” stated a dispatch after the Cabinet meeting. The proposed complex would have a conference centre, a presidential pavilion, and at least five hotels.

Soon after, the bulldozers and excavators arrived.

By the time Court of Appeal dismissed the government's case against a ruling on the tender dispute on Friday, all traditional huts known as bomas and representing the 42 Kenyan tribes stood intact.

Justices Gatembu Kairu, Fred Ochieng and Aggrey Muchelule upheld a High Court decision that struck out the ministry’s application after finding that it had filed its case against the Turkish firm outside the 14-day window prescribed under Section 175(1) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.

But despite the losing the case, the government continues with the demolitions. It is also unclear who is funding the multi-billion-shilling project.

“It hurts so much that we are about to lose our heritage due to this ill-timed decision made by a few individuals whose sole interest is to benefit at all cost. Preserving our culture and history can never be their motive as they want us to believe. But it is not too late, we can save Bomas,” said a former employee.

The facility was founded by Kenya Tourist Development Corporation. Located in Lang’ata opposite the Nairobi National Park, Bomas has for decades showcased and preserved Kenya’s diverse cultures.

Standing on an 80-acre piece of land, Bomas is also home to a variety of indigenous trees most with medicinal value besides attracting a thousand species of birds and butterflies, which can be used for research purposes.

Inside lies a huge open ground for outdoor events for visitors and school children who frequent to enjoy picnics, nature walks and even play traditional games.

Apart from preserving and showcasing Kenya’s rich cultural heritage, Bomas plays a unique role in promoting cultural tourism locally and abroad.

But with the BICC coming up, Bomas risks losing its allure, and in its place will stand a concrete jungle.

Other concerns have been raised on the ownership of the prime land. Two days before the Cabinet announced the redevelopment, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed the land had been sold.

“As we speak, Bomas of Kenya has been sold to a Turkish national. The Cabinet was informed, and I was the only one who opposed it. I stood firm and said this is a national heritage; we cannot sell it," claimed Gachagua on March 9 at the ACK Holy Trinity Church in Kitengela, Kajiado County.

However, the Gender, Culture, Arts and Heritage ministry dismissed Gachagua, maintaining that Bomas remains public property.

"The idea of refurbishing and upgrading Bomas of Kenya is not new and has been in consideration for the past 10 years. Nevertheless, it is the current administration that has given impetus to its actualisation. Bomas of Kenya has a valid title in its name, issued in 1971, and remains in government’s custody," said Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir.