Ruto moves to build State House Mombasa afresh after 126 years
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Ruto moves to build State House Mombasa afresh after 126 years according to State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito
Ruto moves to build State House Mombasa afresh after 126 years according to State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito.
On Friday, March 24, State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito informed Members of Parliament of the critical state of the 1897-built State House Mombasa.
Metito revealed plans to reconstruct the estate while addressing the members of the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, citing difficulties experienced during building renovation.
He added that earlier repair efforts had been complicated because the estate’s architectural design, which was created before the establishment of the colonial administration, was incompatible with modern building and construction trends.
Metito added that the State was in the process of obtaining the building’s original architectural plans, which were allegedly traced in a British Museum.
His sentiments were echoed by the Director of Hospitality at State House Mombasa, Julius Chumo, who explained the challenges hindering the renovation of the House.
“We have had a few challenges trying to renovate it because the technology used then, is not in tandem with the current building trends, making the process delicate and, ultimately, expensive,” the Chumo stated.
In addition, the director revealed challenges experienced in the State House due to the proximity to the Indian Ocean.
Among the concerns raised was the exposure to wind and salty water from the ocean, which he noted risked corroding parts of the building.
“We need to do a sea wall to help prevent the building from adverse effects of corrosion and strong wind”, the Director explained.
In order to give the structures a modern appearance, Parliamentarians pledged to support refurbishment projects at the State House and other State Lodges in subsequent budgetary allocations.
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The MPs also noted concerns about water supply to the amenity after establishing that three boreholes sunk in the State House produce salty water whose treatment through reverse osmosis had proven to be very expensive.
“As a Committee, we would recommend a comprehensive restoration rather than a renovation. This is the practice elsewhere, especially for such historical icons,” Gabriel Tongoyo, the Committee’s chairperson, stated.
State House Mombasa was slated for a refurbishment in 2022 as one of the state lodges, costing Ksh258 million.
For the financial year 2022–2023, the Treasury set aside Ksh94 million for State House and State lodge maintenance.
Mombasa State House’s renovation was estimated to cost Ksh42 million.
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