City Hall is preparing to commence the construction of a Ksh 290 million official residence for the Governor in the Kilimani estate of Nairobi.
Plans are in place to compensate twelve families currently living on the property.
Acting County Secretary Geoffrey Akumali has confirmed that each family will receive Ksh 50,000 as part of the compensation process, which is crucial for the initiation of construction at the site.
On Tuesday, Akumali informed the County Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee that the county has fallen behind in meeting the legal obligations necessary for the establishment of an official residence for the governor, a requirement first introduced during the devolution process by the Transition Authority.
“We are actually behind schedule because this is something that should have been done long ago,”he stated, underscoring the importance of advancing the project.
A contractor is anticipated to commence work by the end of this month, as stated by the county government.
The initial budget for the residence was set at Ksh 500 million; however, this amount was subsequently decreased to Ksh 290 million after Governor Sakaja opted against the proposal for an official residence, citing other funding priorities.
To date, Ksh 60 million has been allocated for the project, which is expected to be completed by April 2025.
Committee Chairman Jared Akama emphasized that the construction of the residence is not only a legal obligation but also essential to prevent potential audit complications.
“This is a requirement of the law, and indeed, Nairobi is behind schedule. For now, it is important to clear the audit queries,” Akama noted.
In 2019, the Treasury disclosed that the monthly rental expenditures amounted to Ksh 5 million for governors, Ksh 4.51 million for deputy governors, and Ksh 3.75 million for speakers.
These expenses place an additional financial strain on taxpayers, who are also responsible for the transport and entertainment allowances allocated to these officials.
Sakaja had earlier expressed his opposition to the project in 2022, advocating for the reallocation of funds to support initiatives aimed at assisting small and medium enterprises in Nairobi.
“I already have a place where I live; why do I need Ksh 500 million for another residence? Let’s work for our people,” he stated.