The National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture has rejected a request to allocate Ksh150 million for the relocation of staff at the historic Bomas of Kenya to facilitate renovations.

The request, made by the State Department for Culture, Arts and Heritage, sought funding from the National Treasury for the relocation, despite not having identified a temporary workspace.

The department’s Principal Secretary, Ummi Bashir, made the request, stating, “Relocation of staff to new temporary offices as the construction works would be going on requires Ksh150 million. We request the Committee to intervene and have the money allocated to the department to fund the process.”

According to Bashir, the reconstruction of Bomas of Kenya was being funded by a donor and not the government.

A photo of well-arranged seats at the Bomas of Kenya

Bomas of Kenya

However, the MPs rubbished the request terming it misplaced and possibly an avenue for mismanagement and embezzlement of public funds.

Committee Chair Dan Wanyama led the team of MPs in questioning the request, stating, “The amount you requested was too much. Have you identified offices where you want to move your staff to? What is the breakdown of the relocation exercise?”

As a suggestion, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi proposed that the company awarded the tender to refurbish Bomas of Kenya should also cover the relocation costs.

“Whoever won the tender for reconstructing Bomas of Kenya should undertake the relocation of staff at their expense,” he noted.

The Principal Secretary was also pressed to explain how the department had utilised funds allocated by the National Treasury.

“The allocation amount consists of Ksh3.45 billion for recurrent expenditure and Ksh90 million for development,” she explained.

She further lamented that even national heroes, such as legendary broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela, could not be honoured, as the Treasury had also rejected a request to allocate Ksh50 million to establish the Heroes Fund.

Meanwhile, the State Department of Sports—also within the same ministry—had received an additional Ksh122 million beyond its initial request for the 2024/2025 financial year, bringing its total allocation to approximately Ksh1.5 billion.

According to Sports Cabinet Secretary Peter Tum, Ksh72 million of this amount was allocated to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, while the remaining Ksh50 million was directed to the Kenya Academy of Sports.

Bomas of Kenya

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