Nairobi County is advancing with plans to construct a Ksh. 290 million official residence for the Governor in Kilimani, with construction set to commence by the end of the month.
The project includes a relocation package for twelve families currently living on the designated land, with each family set to receive Sh50,000 in compensation, according to Acting County Secretary Geoffrey Akumali.
Akumali, addressing the County Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, emphasized the importance of fulfilling this long-delayed requirement, initially mandated under the devolution framework.
“We are behind schedule on this legal requirement,” he stated, noting that the residence is essential to meet audit standards.
The original budget for the residence was Sh500 million, later scaled down after Governor Johnson Sakaja declined the allocation, redirecting funds to community projects instead.
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In 2022, Sakaja openly rejected budget allocations for both a governor’s residence and new official vehicles, advocating for the funds to support small and medium enterprises through market construction.
The construction, funded through the County Annual Development Plan, aims for completion by April 2025.
Committee Chairman Jared Akama emphasized that establishing an official residence will help Nairobi comply with legislative requirements and clear audit concerns on governor accommodations.
