State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito, on Friday, March 24, apprised Members of Parliament about the critical condition of State House Mombasa, which was built in 1897.
Addressing the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security members, Metito divulged plans to rebuild the estate, citing the challenges encountered in renovating the building.
He explained that the architectural design of the estate built before the advent of the colonial administration was incompatible with current trends in building and construction, hence complicating previous renovation plans.
Metito added that the State was in the process of acquiring the initial architectural designs of the building, which had reportedly been traced in a British Museum.
His sentiments were echoed by the Director of Hospitality at State House Mombasa, Julius Chumo, who explained the challenges hindering the renovation of the House.
"We have had a few challenges trying to renovate it because the technology used then, is not in tandem with the current building trends, making the process delicate and, ultimately, expensive," the Chumo stated.
In addition, the director revealed challenges experienced in the State House due to the proximity to the Indian Ocean.
Among the concerns raised was the exposure to wind and salty water from the ocean, which he noted risked corroding parts of the building.
"We need to do a sea wall to help prevent the building from adverse effects of corrosion and strong wind”, the Director explained.
On their part, MPs promised to support the renovation works of the State House and other State Lodges in upcoming budgetary allocations to give the buildings a state-of-the-art face.
The MPs also noted concerns about water supply to the amenity after establishing that three boreholes sunk in the State House produce salty water whose treatment through reverse osmosis had proven to be very expensive.
“As a Committee, we would recommend a comprehensive restoration rather than a renovation. This is the practice elsewhere, especially for such historical icons,” Gabriel Tongoyo, the Committee's chairperson, stated.
In 2022, State House Mombasa was among the state lodges set for a facelift, at Ksh258 million.
The Treasury allocated Ksh94 million in the financial year 2022/23 for the repairs of the State House and State lodges. The refurbishment of Mombasa State House was projected to cost Ksh42 million.
