The County Government of Nairobi has allocated Ksh235 million for the new official residence of the County boss, Governor Johnson Sakaja, in Kilimani.
This is according to the County's 2025/2026 Annual Development Plan, which has revealed how the county plans to use its resources in accordance with Section 104 of the County Government Act (CGA) 2012.
The planned residence will be located in Lady Northey, Kilimani Ward, a new location, and will include a main house, servants’ quarters, a perimeter wall, a gate, and landscaping.
The project is expected to be completed in one-phased construction in the third quarter of the year, with an award letter and completion certificate serving as key performance indicators.
The source of the funds for the project will be the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) budget.
This is not the first time the county has allocated a lump sum for the residence of the county boss. In 2022, the governor revealed a plan for the county to spend Ksh500 million on his residence and that of his deputy.
He, however, rejected the plan and instead directed the county MCAs to reallocate the money to other projects that would benefit the larger community.
“I have just seen a budget that is allocating Ksh500 million for the construction of governors’ and deputy governors’ houses. I have asked them to reallocate the money to other priority projects like the construction of markets and creating jobs for our young people,” the governor noted in October 2022.
Suggestions were made for the governor's house, which was originally located in Lavington, to be renovated instead of constructing another one, but these efforts stalled following legal battles. In 2024, however, the amount was lowered to Ksh290 million, and the budget was approved.
The new 2025/2026 budget reveals that the amount has been lowered further to Ksh235 million.
Apart from the governor’s residence, the county has allocated Ksh100 million for City Hall's renovation, which will include tiling, painting, branding, electrical and plumbing works, and door replacements. The project aims to modernise the county’s administrative headquarters.
Other notable allocations include Ksh20 million for reroofing the audit wing on the 5th floor of City Hall, Ksh25 million for replacing old aluminium gutters, and Ksh50 million for the construction of an off-site archives facility.
These projects, according to the county, are expected to improve the county’s operational efficiency. However, some residents argue that funds should be channeled towards more impactful initiatives.
