A parliamentary committee has raised concerns over the payment of Sh1 billion for a vacant plot adjacent to the Office of the Deputy President, citing potential overpricing.
The Administration and National Security Committee summoned the accounting officer in Deputy President William Ruto's office to provide explanations for the transaction.
During the review of the Presidency's budget for the upcoming financial year, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma expressed his doubts about the valuation of the land. As a lawyer, Mr. Kaluma drew comparisons to his own experience with a recent property transaction, stating,
I am a lawyer. I just transacted Kenya Cinema at Sh400 million. What we have behind the Deputy President’s office is just a small field. It shouldn’t cost that much.
Security Concerns and Acquisition Process ¶
According to State House Administration Secretary John Makumi, the plot was compulsorily acquired due to security reasons and was evaluated before its acquisition was published in the Kenya Gazette.
Committee Chairman Asman Kamama announced that the officer would be required to explain the decision-making process behind the acquisition, including how the land's value was determined.
Secretary Makumi suggested that the committee seek additional information from the National Land Commission (NLC), as they handled the gazettement and compulsory acquisition of the plot.
Presidency Budget and Refurbishment Costs ¶
Committee members also requested that officers from the Presidency provide Bills of Quantities for construction and refurbishment projects, including a Sh5 million allocation for refurbishing a dais and constructing a septic tank at Kakamega State Lodge.
MP Kaluma criticized the costs, comparing them to the price of building six large classrooms in his constituency.
Secretary Makumi defended the budgets, stating that they were based on detailed plans and Bills of Quantities.
He confirmed that the government paid Sh250 million for a building in Nyari to serve as the office of retired President Mwai Kibaki, which is owned by the State.
However, he was unclear about whether the Kabarnet Gardens office and home of retired President Daniel arap Moi is State property.
Budget Allocation and Departmental Expenses ¶
Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi noted that the Presidency's allocation of Sh9 billion makes it a very rich department.
In response, Secretary Makumi explained that the Presidency's budget has increased due to its expanded role in housing State House, the Deputy President's office, Cabinet Affairs, and various state agencies.
The recovered account cited reporting by Nairobi News.
