For the last three years of the Kenya Kwanza administration, many Kenyans have questioned why President William Ruto and his Cabinet rarely use the traditional State House boardrooms. Instead, they often hold meetings in open-air spaces just beside the President’s official podium.
For a long time, the public speculated about the unusual setup. Some believed the outdoor location was chosen simply to give the Cabinet a bit of fresh air, while others assumed it was a symbolic gesture.
But on Wednesday, during the Taxpayers’ Dinner, President Ruto finally explained the real reason behind the shift—shedding light on internal government decisions that had remained unclear for years.
While addressing guests before dinner, the President revealed that the change was directly linked to budget cuts at State House. According to him, the Treasury’s reduced allocation forced his office to find new and more economical ways of operating. This is what encouraged him to move meetings from the old boardrooms to the newly refurbished open space.
Ruto further explained that the tents used during the previous Jubilee administration were extremely costly to maintain, placing a heavy financial burden on the taxpayer.
As a result, he asked Parliament to allocate funds for the construction and modernisation of a permanent facility, which he said was part of the larger transformation happening at the State House.
“As part of being prudent in managing resources, this is my office; you are going to have dinner in my office. During the day, this is usually my boardroom.
This is where I hold Cabinet meetings because the resources allocated for my office were reduced by CS Mbadi and his team,” Ruto said, drawing laughter from the audience.
He went on to praise Parliament for approving funds for the construction. According to him, the new building is far more cost-effective compared to the temporary tents used before.
“We used to have tents here that cost two to three times more than this building. We have already recovered the money that was being wasted on those tents within just one year,” he added.
Since assuming office, President Ruto has shown strong interest in giving State House a modern facelift.
For decades, the building had retained most of its original colonial-era architectural design. Earlier this year, Ruto announced a controversial plan to build a massive church within the State House grounds, estimated to cost Ksh1 billion.
The proposed church, designed to seat 8,000 people, would feature tall stained-glass windows and large crosses—a grand, modern structure meant for national prayer services, diplomatic functions, and interfaith ceremonies.
However, the High Court temporarily stopped the construction after Justice Chacha Mwita issued suspension orders pending a full hearing.
In January, the government also revealed plans to build 130 housing units for General Service Unit (GSU) officers inside the State House compound in Nairobi County. This formed part of ongoing renovations that have sparked criticism from heritage and architectural groups.
The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) strongly opposed the renovations, saying they threaten the historical importance and architectural integrity of one of Kenya’s most iconic landmarks.
AAK insisted that while modernisation may be necessary, it must not compromise heritage preservation.
State House, built in 1907 by British architect Sir Herbert Baker, originally served as Government House—the official residence of the colonial Governor.
After Kenya gained independence in 1963, it was renamed State House and became the official residence of Kenya’s President.
The recent renovations have therefore stirred debate over how much change should be allowed on such an important national symbol.
Join Government Official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
