(NAIROBI, KENYA) – State House Renovation Projects Face Delays and Rising Costs
The Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, has warned that State House renovation projects valued at Sh7.82 billion, or about $56.7 million, are significantly behind schedule and are likely to cost taxpayers more through contract price variations and penalties.
In her National Government Budget Implementation Review Report for November 2025 covering the 2025/26 financial year, Dr Nyakang’o attributed the slow progress to a lack of strategic planning by the agencies responsible for implementing the projects. She said weak coordination and poor prioritisation had contributed to prolonged delays across several sites.
According to the report presented to Parliament, by September 30, 2025, a total of Sh2.1 billion, equivalent to about $15.2 million, had already been spent on the projects. Despite this spending, the average completion rate stood at only 22.6 per cent, with less than 18 months remaining before the expected completion deadline of June 30, 2027. Some of the projects date back to July 1, 2015, and are fully financed by taxpayers.
Dr Nyakang’o noted that progress varied widely across the projects. Some recorded completion rates as low as one per cent, while the most advanced stood at 47 per cent, even though more than ten years have passed since construction began in some cases.
She said the delays highlighted the urgent need for better planning and prioritisation to ensure timely completion. As an example, she cited the refurbishment of buildings at Kakamega State Lodge, which began in 2015 but had reached only 20 per cent completion by the time of reporting.
At Eldoret State Lodge, refurbishment works valued at Sh926.6 million, or about $6.7 million, started on July 1, 2016, with completion scheduled for June 30, 2027. By September 30, 2025, the project had consumed Sh47.1 million, or roughly $341,000, and had achieved only a five per cent completion rate.
Renovation works at Sagana State Lodge also began on July 1, 2016, at a cost of Sh388.8 million, equivalent to about $2.8 million. As of September 30, 2025, spending stood at Sh106.9 million, or about $775,000, with the project reaching a 27 per cent completion rate.
The refurbishment of the fence and main building at Mombasa State House, budgeted at Sh1.4 billion, or approximately $10.1 million, started on July 1, 2016. By the end of September 2025, Sh418.2 million, or about $3.0 million, had been spent, with the project standing at 30 per cent completion. The expected completion date remains June 30, 2027.
Another delayed project is the refurbishment of buildings at Nakuru State House, valued at Sh1.2 billion, or about $8.7 million. The project began on July 1, 2015, and is also due for completion on June 30, 2027. By September 30, 2025, spending had reached Sh424.4 million, or roughly $3.1 million, translating into a 36 per cent completion rate.
At Kisii State Lodge, refurbishment works estimated at Sh795.8 million, or around $5.8 million, started on July 1, 2019. By September 30, 2025, the project had recorded only a one per cent completion rate and had not received any government funding during the first three months of the 2025/26 financial year.
The report also highlighted delays in the construction of a mechanical garage project valued at Sh428.6 million, or about $3.1 million, which started on July 1, 2020. By the end of September 2025, the project had absorbed Sh15.96 million, or roughly $116,000, and had reached a two per cent completion rate.
Other slow moving projects include the refurbishment of buildings at Kakamega State Lodge, awarded at Sh265.3 million, or about $1.9 million, which started on July 1, 2015. By September 30, 2025, spending stood at Sh52.93 million, or around $383,000, with the project recording a 20 per cent completion rate.
The refurbishment of buildings at Kisumu State Lodge was awarded at Sh245.14 million, or approximately $1.8 million, with works starting on July 1, 2015. By September 30, 2025, Sh35.31 million, or about $256,000, had been spent, resulting in a 14 per cent completion rate.
The Controller of Budget warned that unless implementation improves, the prolonged delays will continue to expose public funds to higher costs and undermine value for money in the delivery of State House infrastructure projects.
