Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika with her husband Sam Mburu.
The multi-billion shilling Encore Hotel constructed near Nakuru State House is owned by Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and her husband, Sam Mburu, the Nation can reveal.
A day after Members of Parliament raised concern about construction of the five-star, 200-bed capacity hotel, Mr Mburu confirmed ownership of the facility in an interview.
The upcoming Encore Hotel in Nakuru City. The hotel is being constructed close to State House Nakuru.
He said all mandatory approvals were obtained from county and national government agencies before construction began.
“Projects of this scale require proper approvals. I want to clear the air that we followed all legal requirements. I can also confirm that I own the Encore Hotel and that we obtained all the necessary approvals from the county and national government agencies before construction started,” Mr Mburu told the Nation.
He added that the hotel’s location does not compromise the security of Nakuru State House, having received the requisite clearance.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika with her husband Sam Mburu.
Nakuru Tourism Association chairman, David Mwangi, who is the project manager who oversaw the construction from inception to completion, also confirmed that all approvals were in place.
“I can confidently reveal that we received all necessary approvals for construction, including county building plan approval, the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) Environmental Impact Assessment licence and Public Health department approval. It is a massive project expected to boost tourism in the South Rift region,” Mr Mwangi said.
The Encore Hotel sits on prime land near the Nairobi–Nakuru highway and boasts 205 elegantly appointed rooms, including deluxe, executive and a presidential suite.
“The hotel is designed to attract both high-yield corporate guests and premium leisure travelers. Purpose-built for events and conferences, it features 23 modern meeting rooms, a grand ballroom and a 3,500 sqm high-end events garden setting a new benchmark for destination events in the region,” explained Bishop Mwangi.
Amenities include a wellness centre with a gym, steam and sauna facilities, hydropools, massage and treatment rooms, a salon, barber, swimming pool, eight restaurants and lounges and 300 parking spaces.
“The Encore Hotel is a game changer in Kenya’s hotel industry strategically designed for MICE, leisure, wellness and transit tourism. This iconic development positions Nakuru County as a competitive destination on the national and regional hospitality map,” Mr Mwangi said.
The hotel set to open in the coming months once fully refurbished.
Queries over approvals
However, its proximity to State House which a highly protected area has sparked debate with Kenyans questioning how approvals were obtained. Construction of tall buildings near State Houses is restricted under the Protected Areas Act (Cap 204), reinforced by the Physical Planning Act and local zoning regulations.
On Tuesday, MPs raised concerns about high-rise construction and encroachment on State House land, urging State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito to intervene.
The National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, chaired by Gabriel Tongoyo, wants to protect the integrity of the President’s official residences.
“You must stop construction of multi-storey buildings near State Houses and State Lodges. Such developments pose security threats,” Mr Tongoyo said.
Nakuru’s city zoning plan classifies the area around State House as a low-to-medium residential zone, permitting only two-storey buildings, meaning taller or large-scale projects fall outside legal limits.
Mr Metito confirmed that the government is recovering encroached State House and lodge land, having already repossessed 100 acres in Kakamega; Nakuru and Kisumu are next.
Kenya has three State Houses — in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa — and numerous State lodges across the country. These facilities serve as presidential residences, official offices, and venues for hosting dignitaries, and are guarded exclusively by the General Service Unit.
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