How billions of shillings have been splashed on State House renovations since Ruto took over in 2022
Under Ruto’s tenure alone, State House and various lodges have already spent at least Sh4.5 billion, with more funding expected in the coming financial year.
Since President William Ruto took office in 2022, his administration has committed billions of taxpayer money to the renovation of State House, Nairobi, and several state lodges across the country, despite ongoing budget constraints.
Even as the country faces a biting cash crunch and sweeping budget cuts, the renovations have continued unabated, with plans for further upgrades well into the 2025/26 financial year.
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The renovations are part of a broader 12-year refurbishment programme launched in 2015, projected to cost Sh10.7 billion by its conclusion in June 2027. But under Ruto’s tenure alone, State House and various lodges have already spent at least Sh4.5 billion, with more funding expected in the coming financial year.
2022/2023: First facelift under Ruto
Barely months into office, President Ruto authorised minor renovations at State House, Nairobi. The works included a fresh coat of paint, installation of new cabro paving in the front courtyard, and the replacement of the decade-old wooden pavilion with a modern structure.
According to expenditure reports, Sh59.8 million was spent on these initial improvements in the 2022/23 financial year.
2023/2024: Major overhaul begins
In January 2024, the administration launched a full-scale renovation of the State House. The main building was shut down to allow extensive structural and aesthetic upgrades. President Ruto temporarily moved operations to the newly built pavilion and continued to hold meetings in state lodges countrywide.
By June 2024, an additional Sh160.4 million had been spent, bringing the total expenditure to Sh220.3 million for the two years.
The renovations included replacing the iconic terracotta-tiled roof with a modern flat design, redesigning the entrance porches, installing new columns, and extending the driveway canopy.
The architectural changes sparked debate, with critics saying they erode the heritage value of the country’s most iconic residence.
2024/2025: Multimillion-dollar project
Despite a temporary freeze on funds between June and December 2024 following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, renovation works continued.
By September 2024, records from the Controller of Budget showed that Sh775 million had already been spent on the Nairobi project, representing 44 per cent of the Sh1.7 billion estimated cost.
The broader national refurbishment programme also continued to draw funding. By the same period, Sh3.3 billion had been spent across all State House and lodge renovations under the 12-year plan.
Significant amounts went to refurbish regional lodges: Sh311 million on Mombasa, Sh116 million on Nakuru, Sh36.7 million on Eldoret and Sh10.3 million on Kisumu, among others.
The renovations sparked public and professional concern with the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), criticising the changes, saying they alter the historical essence of the State House.
“The renovation has ended up being a redesign and takes away from the recognition of State House as Kenyans know it,” AAK President Florence Nyole said, noting that such public buildings must be protected and reviewed by heritage institutions before major changes.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, however, defended the upgrades, stating, “State House is the country’s face before visiting dignitaries, and the upgrade is long overdue,” he said.
He dismissed the Sh10.7 billion figure as inaccurate, saying the actual figure discussed by the Cabinet was “not more than Sh2 billion.”
2025/2026: Treasury proposes biggest allocation yet
In the latest budget estimates, the National Treasury has yet again proposed a massive Sh2.3 billion allocation for the Executive Office of the President, much of which is earmarked for continued renovations.
According to the 2025/26 budget estimates table in Parliament, Sh894.9 million is set aside specifically for rehabilitation works at State House, Nairobi and other lodges.
The development budget for the Office of the President is set to rise to Sh1.46 billion, up from Sh50 million, to cater for upgrades at Harambee House, the Government Press, and allocations to the National Fund for the Disabled.
The facelift funding comes amid a nationwide austerity campaign, underwhelming revenue collection, and growing public concern over ballooning expenditure at the top levels of government.
Between 2022 and the projected 2025/26 fiscal year, President Ruto’s administration will have allocated or spent over Sh4.5 billion on State House and state lodge renovations, about 42 per cent of the total cost of the national refurbishment plan, with two years still to go.
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