MPs push for relocation of Nakuru State House over congestion concerns

The issue dominated deliberations before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on National Administration and Internal Security during scrutiny of the 2026/2027 State House budget estimates, where State House Comptroller Dr Katoo Ole Metito appeared to defend the proposed allocations.

Nakuru County Woman Representative Liza Chelule led calls for the relocation, arguing that the current facility no longer reflects the stature and dignity expected of a modern State House.

“The State House is in a very poor position and condition, considering it is just next to the main road to Nairobi,” she told the committee.

Ms Chelule said the residence, located along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway and surrounded by high-rise buildings, faces serious space limitations that make expansion nearly impossible.

She proposed the acquisition of a larger parcel of land to establish a modern facility befitting Nakuru’s city status.

“I am proposing that Nakuru, being a city now, we can get more than 100 acres and relocate so that we come up with the right structures that reflect the stature and dignity of State House,” she said.

According to the lawmaker, continued investment at the current site would only worsen congestion challenges.

“It is not in the right position. It is squeezed between tall buildings and there is no room for expansion. I think we need to do something different and relocate completely from that place,” she added.

Committee chairperson and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo acknowledged concerns over the location and lack of space at Nakuru State House.

He said the committee had previously discussed the issue, noting that surrounding developments belonged to legitimate landowners and the county government, making expansion difficult unless additional land was acquired.

“Of course, they are the rightful owners, and the issue of space remains a challenge,” he said.

Mr Tongoyo, however, noted that the current budget had allocated Ksh100 million for renovation of State Houses and State lodges across the country.

He suggested part of the allocation could be used to improve facilities at the Nakuru residence as discussions on relocation continue.

The legislator specifically proposed refurbishment of a pavilion previously used by former President Daniel arap Moi to host delegations.

“Out of the Ksh100 million allocation, we can at least improve that pavilion as we continue discussions on acquiring land or relocating the facility,” he said.

But Ms Chelule rejected the proposal, insisting that renovating the current compound would not address the underlying challenges.

“We need to get out of that place. Even if we are going to do a pavilion within that space, we are doing nothing completely. Let’s move out of that place,” she said.

State House Comptroller Dr Katoo Ole Metito told MPs that several State House facilities across the country face infrastructural and physical limitations that make expansion difficult and costly.

“It is very expensive. You can imagine the noise this country is making when we are just doing one facility. Suppose we picked three in one financial year,” he said.

Dr Metito said the government had prioritised renovation of State House Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret due to their deteriorating condition.

“The problem we are having is that most of these facilities are very old. Some, like Mombasa, have very limited room for expansion,” he said.

On Nakuru State House, the Comptroller acknowledged that expansion remained difficult because neighbouring landowners legally owned the surrounding property.

“We also want to expand Nakuru, but there is very little space. The people around are genuine landowners, so we can only engage them to see whether they are willing to sell,” he said.

He further disclosed that the government had acquired three additional acres in Eldoret from a willing seller, with funds already factored into the current budget.

Dr Metito defended continued allocations for maintenance of State lodges, saying the President’s frequent tours across the country required the facilities to remain operational and presentable.

“Even if we focus on two or three facilities, we must still allocate money for routine maintenance on the others so that whenever there is an activity, the State lodge or State House looks presentable,” he said.

The Comptroller also addressed concerns over staffing and budget reductions raised by Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ng’elechei.

He explained that the reduction in staffing expenditure was linked to the expiry of contracts for nearly 500 employees working on fixed-term arrangements.

“Employee salaries have not been affected, but almost 80 per cent of the people working in State House are on contract basis,” he said.

Dr Metito said gratuity payments for the affected workers, amounting to Ksh127 million, had already been catered for in the 2025/2026 financial year.

Sotik MP Francis Sigei defended the State House budget, warning against allowing negative publicity to influence funding decisions.

“We should not succumb to negative publicity. State House is a national image and we must give it enough resources for proper functioning,” he said.