The Kenyan government has firmly denied allegations that the historic Bomas of Kenya has been auctioned to a foreign investor.
This follows claims made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, March 9, alleging that the cultural landmark had been sold to a Turkish national with Cabinet approval.
In a statement released on Monday, March 10, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Culture and Arts, Ummi Bashir, refuted the allegations, reaffirming that Bomas of Kenya remains government property.
“By dint of Executive Order No. 2 of 2023, Bomas of Kenya was placed under the State Department for Culture, the Arts, and Heritage,” Bashir stated. “The State Department categorically refutes these claims. Bomas of Kenya has not been sold to anyone.”
The PS clarified that the ongoing transformation at the facility was not the result of a foreign investor’s involvement but part of an initiative approved by the Cabinet in 2023 to enhance the site’s infrastructure. She further noted that discussions about upgrading Bomas of Kenya have been ongoing for the past decade, with the current administration accelerating its implementation.
“The idea of refurbishing and upgrading Bomas of Kenya is not new. It has been under consideration for the past 10 years. However, it is the current administration that has taken decisive steps to actualize it,” Bashir explained. “Bomas of Kenya has a valid title in its name, issued in 1971.”
The government’s vision, according to Bashir, is to transform Bomas into a premier conferencing and cultural facility of international standards. She emphasized that the facility remains under state ownership with no intentions of privatization.
These remarks came in response to Gachagua’s allegations made during a church service at ACK Holy Trinity Church in Kitengela, Kajiado County. The former Deputy President asserted that he was the only Cabinet member who opposed the alleged sale and further claimed that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) had raised concerns about the facility’s proximity to a critical flight path.
However, the government’s firm stance seeks to dispel any doubts, ensuring the public that Bomas of Kenya remains a national asset and will continue to be a cultural and heritage hub for generations to come.
