

The National Assembly’s security committee on Tuesday conducted an inspection tour of the Nakuru State House to assess the progress of the refurbishment works at the facility.
The inspection, according to a statement, aimed to establish whether the works were on track and to identify areas requiring urgent attention before the residence can fully serve its intended purpose.
Led by Committee Chairperson Gabriel Tongoyo, the lawmakers were briefed on the current status of the renovations and the challenges facing the project.
During the session, State House Hospitality Manager Julius Kiptoo gave a detailed report on the refurbishment.
He highlighted several key challenges, among them structural and technical uncertainties, lingering security vulnerabilities, and budgetary constraints that continue to affect the pace of progress.
Kiptoo, who previously served at State House Mombasa, urged the Committee to consider lessons from other State House facilities in order to raise Nakuru State House to the required standards.
He underscored the importance of prioritising urgent repairs, noting that issues of leakages must be addressed immediately to prevent further damage and additional costs.
“The matter of leakages is particularly urgent. If it is not resolved, it could compromise the long-term integrity of the building,” he cautioned.
The Committee members listened keenly to the presentation and sought clarification on timelines, security upgrades, and the allocation of resources.
They emphasised the importance of ensuring that the refurbishment delivers value for money while providing a safe and functional residence capable of hosting official government events.
After the briefing, the Committee conducted a physical tour of the premises, moving through key sections of the facility to obtain a first-hand view of the renovation progress.
Members examined completed works and identified areas still lagging behind.
Speaking after the visit, Tongoyo reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to ensuring government facilities such as State House Nakuru are well maintained and meet the expected standards.
He said the Committee would compile its observations and make recommendations to guide the completion of the project.
“The people of Kenya expect accountability, efficiency, and quality in the use of public resources. Our responsibility as a Committee is to ensure that such projects are implemented in a way that serves the country effectively,” Tongoyo said.
The Nakuru State House, one of the three presidential residences outside Nairobi.
Others are Nairobi and Mombasa.
There are, however, several other state lodges across the country.