MPs Rejects KSh 150 Million Request for Bomas of Kenya Staff Relocation

A parliamentary committee has rejected a request by the State Department for Culture, Arts, and Heritage for KSh 150 million to relocate staff at Bomas of Kenya to pave the way for the facility’s reconstruction.

The National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture dismissed the request by Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir, arguing that it was an unnecessary expense and a potential avenue for misappropriation of public funds.

While presenting the 2025 Budget Policy Statement to the committee, chaired by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, Bashir explained that plans were underway to give Bomas of Kenya a modern facelift. She requested that the committee approve the funds to facilitate the temporary relocation of staff during the construction process.

“Relocation of staff to new temporary offices during construction requires KSh 150 million. We request the committee’s intervention to have the funds allocated,” Bashir stated.

She further noted that the reconstruction project was being financed by a donor. However, the committee rejected the request, insisting that the relocation costs should be covered by the contractor handling the project rather than taxpayers.

“The amount you are requesting is excessive. Have you identified the offices where you plan to move your staff? What is the breakdown of this relocation budget?” Wanyama questioned.

Suba South MP Caroli Omondi echoed these sentiments, insisting that the firm awarded the contract should bear the cost of staff relocation.

“The contractor responsible for reconstructing Bomas of Kenya should handle the relocation expenses,” Omondi said.

During the session, Bashir informed the committee that the department had been allocated KSh 3.54 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year against its projected requirement of KSh 5.98 billion. She explained that KSh 3.45 billion was earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while only KSh 90 million was set aside for development.

This allocation drew sharp criticism from committee members, who questioned why such a small portion of the budget was dedicated to development.

“Why allocate only KSh 90 million out of over KSh 3 billion for development? What are your priorities as a department?” asked Teso South MP Mary Emaase.

Bashir also revealed that the department had requested KSh 50 million for the establishment of a Heroes Fund to honor national figures such as the late broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela, but the National Treasury did not allocate the funds.

In his presentation, State Department for Sports PS Peter Tum noted that his department had initially requested KSh 1.46 billion, but the Treasury revised the allocation upwards to KSh 1.58 billion. He explained that the additional KSh 122 million included KSh 72 million for the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya and KSh 50 million for the Kenya Academy of Sports.

Meanwhile, State Department for Youth and Creative Economy PS Ismail Madey stated that the Film Services Programme had been allocated KSh 738.7 million, with KSh 662 million going toward recurrent expenses and KSh 76.7 million for development.