State House gets a face-lift, but most Kenyans are not impressed with the new design

Kenya's most powerful address has undergone a sparkly renovation which has seen the current occupants do away with the colonial look and adopt a modern flat roof aesthetic.

After more than two years of constant renovations and upgrades, State House has now debuted a new look - in the place of the tiled colonial roofing, the House on the Hill now sports a spectacular white flat roof, as evidenced in photos released on January 25.

After the President's communication team shared photos of the State reception of Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the visiting Guinea-Bissau President, hawk-eyed Kenyans quickly noticed the new-look State House, with many sharing diverse opinions on the revamp.

The Presidential abode also appears to have undergone a fresh paint job which adds to the overall aesthetic and stately elegance.

While a few Kenyans have expressed admiration of the renovation, most have castigated it, calling it an ugly upgrade with some going as far as stating that historical buildings should he exempt from such refurbishments.

One unimpressed Kenyan wrote, "There should be some legal protections to the modifications that can be done to historical buildings like State House. What the hell is frame 2? Hideous. Si Kilgoris State House imetosha, did he need to replicate it in Nairobi?"

Someone else said, "What in the name that is ugly is that monstrosity? Giving public residences such ugly personal tastes! I mean, how can a tenant modify a house they do not technically own?"

On her part, Waithera Njoki said, "You can tell the difference between someone raised in wealth who chooses a simple life and someone who wasn't, who's out there seeking validation."

Some also have noticed that the new-look State House appears to attentively look like the White House, the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States.

"What in the White House monstrosity is this?! He was accorded ONE State visit to the US and now everything must remind him of that unforgettable chapter of his Presidency!" Caroline Ndunge tweeted.

Some have, however, expressed their approval, noting that the old State House was a 'drab' colonial relic whose restoration was long overdue.

"The old State House was ugly and boring anyway. This new-look is welcome. We're in 2025 and we have to align with the tastes and trends of the new world. I like the new State House!" someone said.

Back in 2024, Citizen Digital reported that a budget estimate showed that Ksh.11.5 billion of the taxpayers' revenue would be spent on 13 projects including renovation of State Houses and State Lodges situated at different locations across the country.

The estimates included the refurbishment of buildings at State House, Nairobi, estimated at Ksh.1.7 billion over the next three years, with a proposed allocation of Ksh.250 million in the 2024/2025 budget estimate.