A GSU officer walks towards the main gate to Nakuru State House after protesters destroyed a section of the facility on June 25, 2024.
Members of Parliament have proposed the relocation of Nakuru State House to a different location away from the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway, citing severe congestion and limited room for expansion.
The MPs drawn from the National Assembly Departmental Committee on National Administration and Internal Security want the facility moved from its current location – Milimani area because of congestion caused by various establishments including high-rise buildings around it.
They made the proposal when State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito appeared before the committee to defend proposed allocations and appropriations during scrutiny of the 2026/2027 budget estimates.
President William Ruto, First Lady Rachel Ruto and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during the winners concert of the 63rd Kenya National Drama And Film Festival at State House, Nakuru on April 16, 2025.
"State House Nakuru is in a very poor position and condition, considering it is located just next to the busy Nakuru -Nairobi highway. The facility is also surrounded by high-rise buildings and faces serious limitations that make expansion nearly impossible," stated Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule who is also a member of the committee.
She proposed acquisition of a larger parcel of land elsewhere for the facility to guarantee expansion.
“I am proposing that Nakuru, being a city now, we can get more than 100 acres and relocate the facility to the place, so that we come up with the right structures that reflect the stature and dignity of State House. The government should establish a modern facility befitting Nakuru City status. The current facility no longer reflects the stature and dignity of a modern State House," explained the MP.
According to the lawmaker, continued investment at the current location would only worsen congestion challenges.
“It is not in the right position. It is squeezed between tall buildings and there is no room for expansion. I think we need to do something different and relocate completely from that place,” she added.
Ms Chelule's concerns were backed by committee chairperson and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo who also said the critical facility is located in a highly congested place, making expansion nearly impossible.
He however, suggested that Sh100 million allocated in the budget for renovation of State Houses and State lodges across the country be used to renovate the facility, as discussions on relocation continue.
"Congestion and lack of space at the facility is a major headache. However, we have allocated Sh100 million for renovation of State Houses and State lodges across the country in the current budget, part of the allocation can be used to improve facilities at the Nakuru residence as we make further discussions on relocation," said Mr Tongoyo.
The legislator specifically proposed refurbishment of a pavilion previously used by former President Daniel arap Moi to host delegations.
“Out of the Sh100 million allocation, we can at least improve that pavilion as we continue discussions on acquiring land or relocating the facility,” he added.
High rise buildings
"The committee had previously discussed the issue and we found that surrounding developments belonged to legitimate landowners and the county government, making expansion difficult unless the State acquired more land.
“Those in the surrounding areas are rightful owners of land and property and therefore the issue of space remains a challenge,” further stated Mr Tongoyo.
But Ms Chelule rejected the proposal, insisting that renovation of the current compound would not solve the underlying challenges.
“We need to get out of that place. Even if we are going to do a pavilion within that space, we are doing completely nothing. Let’s move out of that place,” she said.
Although the construction of high rise buildings near State House, State Lodges and other government protected areas like military barracks and airports is prohibited by law, the current location of the facility has in the recent past experienced increased development activities.
For instance, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika's family has constructed a more than 250 multi-storey hotel near the facility.
The ne upcoming Encore Hotel in Nakuru City which has been built adjacent to State House Nakuru.
The construction of the hotel and other structures near the critical facility recently gripped national limelight as MPs directed the State House Comptroller to intervene and stop the constructions.
But the hotel is not the only high rise building that has caused concern in the past. A State-of-the-art storey building at Milimani area that serves as Governor Susan Kihika's office also overlooks State House Nakuru. Also located next to the critical facility is a supermarket.
According to Nakuru's approved city zoning plan, the area around State House Nakuru, where the developments have been taking place, is designated as a low-to-medium residential zone.
The classification allows for maisonettes and townhouses of up to only two floors, meaning any taller or large-scale projects would fall outside what the law permits.
Security experts have in the past warned that such establishments may compromise the security of the protected facility.
Construction of tall buildings near State House and State Lodges is primarily restricted under the Protected Areas Act (Cap 204),which empowers the government to declare areas surrounding such installations as protected, thereby restricting development for security reasons.
Multi-storey buildings projects near secured establishments like State House are seen as security threats. The restrictions are often reinforced by the Physical Planning Act and local zoning regulations.
Urban plans in the capital Nairobi for instance; have historically restricted building heights in areas near State installations including State House and military camps.
While acknowledging the concerns ,Mr Metito told MPs that several State House facilities across the country face infrastructural and physical limitations that make expansion difficult and expensive.
“It is very expensive. You can imagine the noise this country makes when we are just doing one facility. Suppose we picked three in one financial year,” he said.
Dr Metito said the government had prioritised renovation of State House Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret due to their deteriorating condition.
“The problem we are having is that most of these facilities are very old. Some, like Mombasa, have very limited room for expansion,” he said.
The new building hosting offices of the Nakuru Governor, her Deputy and other staff at Milimani Estate, adjacent to Nakuru State House on February 25, 2026.
On Nakuru State House, the Comptroller acknowledged that expansion remained difficult because neighbouring landowners legally owned the surrounding property.
“We also want to expand Nakuru, but there is very little space. The people around are genuine landowners, so we can only engage them to see whether they are willing to sell,” he said.
He further disclosed that the government had acquired three additional acres in Eldoret from a willing seller, with funds already factored into the current budget.
Mr Metito defended continued allocations for maintenance of State lodges, saying the President’s frequent tours across the country required the facilities to remain operational and presentable.
“Even if we focus on two or three facilities, we must still allocate money for routine maintenance on the others so that whenever there is an activity, the State lodge or State House looks presentable,” he said.
The Comptroller also addressed concerns over staffing and budget reductions raised by Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ng’elechei.
He explained that the reduction in staffing expenditure was linked to the expiry of contracts for nearly 500 employees working on fixed-term arrangements.
“Employee salaries have not been affected, but almost 80 per cent of the people working in State House are on contract basis,” he said.
Metito said gratuity payments for the affected workers, amounting to Sh127 million, had already been catered for in the 2025/2026 financial year.
Sotik MP Francis Sigei defended the State House budget, warning against allowing negative publicity to influence funding decisions.
“We should not succumb to negative publicity. State House is a national image and we must give it enough resources for proper functioning,” he said.
Kenya has three State Houses, the main one at the capital Nairobi and then in Nakuru and Mombasa Cities.
Besides the three facilities, there are numerous state lodges spread across the country.
State House, Nairobi
They include; Sagana, Kericho, Kisumu, Mtito Andei, Rumuruti, Malindi, Kitale, Eldoret, Kakamega and Kisii.
The state lodges are used by the President and other high-ranking government officials for official and private functions while in the regions.
The facilities also act as presidential residences and are also used to host foreign dignitaries and other guests.
Majority of the facilities are located in secluded areas, and they offer a variety of amenities, including swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf courses. They are also equipped with state-of-the-art security features.
The three State Houses and the government state lodges are a symbol of the power and prestige of the Kenyan government and are gazetted protected areas in the country.
All the facilities are guarded by officers only drawn from the elite General Service Unit. The government recently said it is mulling over the construction of a State lodge in Northern Kenya.
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