Days after the Auditor General raised concerns about the deteriorating state of Nyayo House, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has been compelled to take immediate action. He has now assured the public that the government will begin renovations on the iconic building.
Speaking before the Senate on Wednesday, March 5, Murkomen confirmed that plans are in motion to revamp Nyayo House. He outlined that the renovations will include repainting the structure, repairing mechanical systems such as the elevators, and refurbishing washrooms and offices, particularly on the 3rd, 4th, and 8th floors.
“Nyayo House was commissioned approximately 46 years ago and currently houses over 58 departments from both the national and county governments, providing essential services to Kenyans, especially immigration services,” the CS stated.
Murkomen revealed that the Ministry of Interior had previously enlisted the State Department of Public Works to assess the necessary maintenance work for Nyayo House. Following their evaluation, the department provided a bill of quantities totaling Ksh244,831,860. However, he admitted that the Ministry currently lacks the funds to cover these expenses.
Despite financial challenges, the CS assured the Senate that the government has already begun refurbishing offices occupied by the State Department of Immigration to enhance service delivery.
“The State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services occupies most of the floors in Nyayo House, and we have prioritized refurbishing these areas to create a more efficient service delivery environment and improve working conditions for staff,” he explained.
Additionally, Murkomen confirmed that the offices of Principal Secretaries and the Directorate of e-Citizen Services on the 23rd, 22nd, and 17th floors have already been renovated and furnished with new office equipment.
The government has also completed renovations and expanded the service lobby on the ground floor, which plays a crucial role in handling passport applications. According to Murkomen, this expansion will allow the department to accommodate more applicants and streamline service delivery.
To address water supply concerns, the CS stated that the government had reinforced the building’s water system by installing reserve tanks on the rooftop. This ensures that staff and visitors have access to clean water at all times.
“We have secured a reliable water supply from Nairobi City County, ensuring uninterrupted access throughout the week. Additionally, the building has rooftop reserve tanks as a backup in case of any supply issues,” Murkomen added.
The Auditor General’s report highlighted that despite the government allocating a monthly maintenance budget for elevator repairs in the 2023/2024 financial year, two elevators at Nyayo House remain non-functional.
The report further revealed that the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, the State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services, and the Nairobi Regional Commissioner had collectively spent Ksh16,767,359 on elevator maintenance for Nyayo House and Harambee House. However, the funds did not lead to any noticeable repairs, leaving the elevators in both buildings out of service.
The Auditor General warned that the prolonged breakdown of these elevators could pose safety risks and cause significant inconvenience for both staff and visitors who rely on them to access various offices.
“In these circumstances, the expenditure incurred for the repair, servicing, and maintenance of lifts may not have achieved its intended value,” the report concluded.
With Murkomen now taking charge of the situation, Kenyans will be watching closely to see if the long-awaited renovations at Nyayo House will finally be carried out as promised.
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