Bomas under renovation to make it a world-class facility - PS

Gender and Culture Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir during a past event/FILE

The government has strongly refuted claims that Bomas of Kenya has been sold to a Turkish national, as alleged by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a statement Tuesday, Gender and Culture Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir dismissed the allegations stating that Bomas remains a government-owned facility.

“The State Department categorically refutes this allegation. Bomas of Kenya has not been sold to anyone,” Bashir said.

According to the PS, Bomas of Kenya was placed under the State Department for Culture, the Arts, and Heritage through an Executive Order of Government No 2 of 2023 and therefore she was shocked by the allegations made by the former DP.

She, however, clarified that the government is currently developing the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC), a project approved by the Cabinet on August 8, 2023.

The cabinet memorandum was submitted by then Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza.

“To position Kenya as the destination of choice for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism and to cement her place as a diplomatic and commercial hub, Cabinet approved the establishment of the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC),” the Cabinet Despatch reads.

“The ultramodern convention will feature a Conference Centre, a Presidential Pavilion and at least five hotels. This State initiative, fifty years after the groundbreaking of Kenya’s first international convention centre (KICC), is expected to further the growth of conference tourism, hospitality, and event and aviation industries as set out in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).”

The initiative to refurbish the facility, Bashir disclosed, is not new and has been under consideration for the past 10 years in a bid to transform it into a world-class conferencing facility. "Bomas of Kenya has a valid title deed issued in 1971, which remains in government custody.

"The development of BICC is part of a broader vision to enhance Bomas, making it a premier conferencing destination in the region," she added.

Speaking Sunday at the ACK Holy Trinity Church in Kitengela, Kajiado County, Gachagua sensationally alleged that Bomas has been sold.

He said Cabinet approved it despite objections by KCAA.

"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," Gachagua stated.

Bashir also sought to assure the public that Bomas of Kenya will remain a government facility and that its ownership shall not change, as it is held in trust on behalf of the People of the Republic of Kenya, for posterity.