Ruto changes State House Nairobi roofing structure to a flat roof
President William Ruto renovates State House Nairobi, replaces red tiles with a flat roof
President William Ruto renovates State House Nairobi, replaces red tiles with a flat roof.
After more than two years of constant renovations and upgrades, State House has now debuted a new look – in the place of the tiled colonial roofing, the House on the Hill now sports a spectacular white flat roof, as evidenced in photos released on January 25.
President William Ruto gave a glimpse of the new outlook on Saturday, January 25, when he hosted his Guinea-Bissau counterpart, President Umaro Sossoco.
Seen from afar, the read tiles roofing that covered the house for over a century was replaced by a uniform flat design.
Rising above the new roof is the dormer that holds the presidential standard.
After the President’s communication team shared photos of the State reception of Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the visiting Guinea-Bissau President, hawk-eyed Kenyans quickly noticed the new-look State House, with many sharing diverse opinions on the revamp.
The Presidential abode also appears to have undergone a fresh paint job which adds to the overall aesthetic and stately elegance.
While a few Kenyans have expressed admiration of the renovation, most have castigated it, calling it an ugly upgrade with some going as far as stating that historical buildings should he exempt from such refurbishments.
Since taking office, the president has allocated billions for State House makeovers, giving new outlooks to the interior and exterior compound.
In 2023, the asphalt tarmac around the house and its front courtyard were replaced with grey cabro blocks. Some quarters were, however, opposed to the change, arguing that the courtyard’s traditional tarmac surface was more durable.
In January 2024, State House was out of bounds for close to two months, during which another round of renovations was on.
Throughout the closure period, the president operated from the state lodges in Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Kakamega, and Kisumu, among other areas.
The facelift was informed by the need for austerity measures, as much was being spent on hiring tents for functions on the lawn.
Part of the renovation involved reinforcing walls, pillars, and the roof, which came after the construction of a new pavilion meant to host visiting dignitaries.
Ruto had turned down suggestions to build a new State House as it would cost the country over KSh 2 billion.
With the routine renovation costs incurred, many Kenyans are always unimpressed, questioning the president’s priorities in the face of a limping economy.
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The aggrieved citizenry argues that the monies allocated for the cause could be channelled to other important sectors, considering the regime has been grappling with financial shortfalls that lead to increased taxation.
All the renovation works in the past two years have significantly changed the State House that former president Uhuru Kenyatta found when he started occupying it in 2013.
Details are scanty about Uhuru or his predecessors going on a renovation spree.
Budget for State House renovations Whilst the complete products present a sight to behold, they come at a heavy cost shouldered by the Kenyan taxpayer.
For instance, in October 2023, Ruto’s office was allocated KSh 700 million for constructing a modern presidential dais, as borne in the 2023/2024 supplementary budget estimates.
The estimates, presented in the National Assembly, detailed that State House Nairobi received a total of KSh 4.1 billion.
This included KSh 3.2 billion for both State House and State House affairs, along with an additional KSh 900 million designated for operations and maintenance.
The house was designed and built in 1907, then as the residence of Sir Edward Gregg, the governor of Kenya during the colonial times. It was later adopted as the residence for the heads of state post-independence.
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