Incoming President William Ruto will have to make the final decision whether or not to occupy the State House, the official residence of Kenya's head of state, located in Nairobi after taking the oath of office.
According to former State House Comptroller Franklin Bett, the decision solely lies with the incoming Head of State and his preferences on what to consider as his official residence.
Speaking to the Standard on Monday, September 12, Bett explained that Ruto could decide to live in a rented house, but the government would be compelled to incur extra costs to maintain the premises.
Bett, who served as State House Comptroller under the late President Daniel Moi's administration, detailed that if Ruto shuns the official residence, the government will have to pay his rental charges at another house of his choice.
He added that his administration would also be required to accord him full security protection and staff to facilitate all the operations.
On top of that, the government would also be expected to acquire an office space for Ruto to use when executing some of his roles.
Justifying his argument, Bett explained that Moi did not live in the State House.
"It is not mandatory for the President to live inside the State House. But he has the right to live there," he stated.
"President Jomo Kenyatta lived in there, Mwai Kibaki lived in there but President Moi did not live inside State House Nairobi. So the choice is William Ruto's," Bett explained.
Already, Ruto expressed his willingness to relocate after meeting President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, September 12. During the visit, Uhuru and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta took Ruto and Rachel Ruto around State House.
Uhuru also congratulated Ruto for the first time, assuring him of total support as he takes over the instruments of power at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, September 13.
After swearing-in, the outgoing Deputy President will vacate his official Karen residence, which the incoming DP, Rigathi Gachagua, is expected to occupy.
State House Architecture
Sir Herbert Baker is credited for building the State House, which he constructed facing the hilly side of Nairobi.
He borrowed some of the designs from Washington DC to perfectly execute his genius for stone carving, bricklaying, and meticulous construction skills.
Baker also incorporated some designs borrowed from the freemasonry world to construct the iconic building that still stands tall a century later.
Initially, the State House was the official residence for the then Governor of Kenya, Sir Edward Grigg in 1925.
Other than the State House, he also built the Supreme Court of Kenya, Kenya Railways Central Station, and the Nairobi School
