Gov’t denies Gachagua’s claims that Bomas of Kenya sold to Turkish national

The government has denied reports by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that Bomas of Kenya, the State-owned tourist village in Nairobi’s Lang’ata area, has been sold to a Turkish national.

Gachagua on Sunday claimed President William Ruto’s Cabinet had already approved the sale, which he alleged also includes prison lands.

"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," he told a church service in Kitengela, Kajiado County,

In a statement on Monday, Culture Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir refuted the “shocking” allegations, saying the government has only refurbished the heritage site.

“Bomas of Kenya has not been sold to anyone. The development of the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC) was approved by Cabinet on 8th August 2023, after a Cabinet Memorandum presented by the then Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, Hon Peninah Malonza, EGH,” Bashir said.

“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.”

The PS assured that Bomas of Kenya remains a government facility, saying: “Its ownership shall not change, as it is held in trust on behalf of the people of the Republic of Kenya, for posterity.”

Gachagua, who has been critical of Ruto’s government since his impeachment last October, claimed he and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) officials had objected to the purported sale of the tourist village on grounds that it is located within a flight path.

"The people from civil aviation opposed it, but the President went ahead and sold it. We are on our own," Gachagua lamented.

Established in 1971, the Bomas of Kenya was created to preserve, showcase, and promote the rich and diverse cultures of Kenya's various ethnic groups.

 It has served as a significant tourist attraction and cultural centre.