MPs raise alarm over Ksh.400M renovation budget by former DP Gachagua

Members of Parliament have raised a red flag over the more than Ksh.400 million renovation budget by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for refurbishment of his Harambee Annex office, Karen and Mombasa residences in the previous financial year.

Documents presented before the National Assembly Security and National Administration Committee detailed that some of the monies were used to repair broken kitchens, build new washrooms and to plant flowers at the premises, in what the committee termed as wasteful spending.

Members concerned that the renovation expenditure was equal to or more than the total cost of constructing the buildings, in the Ksh.1.2 billion budget he requested for the works a year ago.

Current staff at the DP’s office have disclosed that Ksh.100 million was spent to refurbish the Harambee House Annex, including the renovation of the 6th floor, supply of installation for 3 lifts and revamping a VIP dining room on the second floor.

The total works will cost Ksh.450 million by the time they are complete in 2027, the construction is at 22% of total works.

Committee Chaiperson Gabriel Tong’oyo posed: “The cost of that building was Ksh.600 million and the cost of repair will be Ksh.450 million. Don’t you think that’s too much?”

Ann Mwangi, Director of Planning at the Office of the Deputy President, said: “Some other pending works at Harambee Annex include changing of tiles, corridor size, fountain etc.”

Gachagua also reportedly spent Ksh.250 million to give a face-lift to his Karen residence.

These included the construction of a 50-seater Cabinet meeting room, a 100-seater dining room, supply of furniture and fittings and construction of a garage and 2 washrooms.

The total cost on completion will be Ksh.560 million, about Ksh.100 million more than the amount used to build the residence. The works are nearly halfway done.

The Mombasa residence got a state-of-the-art swimming pool, air conditioning system, new ceiling boards, new washrooms and a guest wing.

All this at a whooping Ksh.50 million. The total cost of the project will hit Ksh.240 million shillings by the end of the refurbishment.