AAK urges preservation of National Heritage amid fierce debate on State House renovations

AAK President Florence Nyole, in a statement on February 3, 2025, called for the preservation of the architectural gem, which was originally designed in 1907 by renowned British architect Sir Herbert Baker.

“While renovations to maintain structural integrity are necessary, the recent changes have strayed far from the building’s original proportions and aesthetic identity,” Nyole remarked.

The association has proposed several changes, including replacing the iconic red roofing tiles, adding an oversized roof parapet that disrupts the building's form, and merging two entrances into a large canopy, possibly with a drop-off point. 

AAK contends that these modifications dilute the recognition of State House as a historical landmark.

The association also drew parallels to the demolition of the Uhuru Park Pavilion, which occurred without regard for its historical importance. 

AAK urged the government to adopt international best practices for heritage preservation, citing Ethiopia's National Jubilee Palace and Ghana's Christiansborg Castle, both of which are protected as national monuments.

In light of these concerns, AAK urged the government to halt all further renovations, establish comprehensive heritage conservation guidelines, and involve heritage experts and the public in the preservation of national landmarks.

“Public buildings and strategically important national sites requiring renovations should be listed by the National Museums of Kenya and subjected to public scrutiny before any work begins,” AAK stated, adding that a team of experts is available to assist in heritage conservation efforts.

The ongoing renovations at State House have come under scrutiny amid a growing financial outlay on refurbishments across various state lodges.

In the 2022/2023 financial year, State House allocated Ksh.59.8 million for initial works under President Ruto's administration. 

In the following financial year, Ksh.160.4 million was spent on major refurbishments, bringing the total expenditure for State House to Ksh.220.3 million.

The broader renovation initiative has extended to other state residences, with the Mombasa State Lodge alone receiving over Ksh.311 million for the refurbishment of its main house and fence under President Ruto. 

Other state lodges have also seen significant investments: the Nakuru State Lodge has cost Ksh.116 million, Eldoret State Lodge Ksh.36.7 million, Kisumu Ksh.10.3 million, Sagana Ksh.30.8 million, Kakamega Ksh.15.9 million, Kisii Ksh.9.8 million, and Mtito Andei Ksh.220,000.

Over the past two years, the total development expenditure on state houses has amounted to Ksh.2.9 billion, against a required budget of Ksh.3.7 billion. 

However, the financing needs for the nine state houses and lodge projects stand at over Ksh.7 billion, with the July 2024 budget cuts posing a significant obstacle to meeting these requirements.