Sh250m Kibaki office Uhuru rejected Now Occupied by Itumbi
In Nairobi’s Nyari estate, a Sh250 million government-owned compound that was once buzzing with Mwai Kibaki’s staff after his 2013 retirement has found a new purpose.
The gated property with manicured lawns, offices and tight security was acquired under controversial circumstances as an official office for retired presidents. Now it’s the workplace of President William Ruto’s Head of Creative Economy and Special Projects, Dennis Itumbi.
The one-acre residence became contentious last year when former President Uhuru Kenyatta refused to use it, instead opting for his Caledonia office near State House. The government initially opposed his preference but eventually relented.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said Nyari should not be seen as abandoned since Kibaki actively worked there. “The fourth President requested to use his own office which the government approved. Nyari has never been unused nor consistently rejected,” he said.
Asked why a facility designed for retired presidents is now used by a junior official, Mohamed said the government wants to maximise resources. “If a retired president prefers another office, repurposing Nyari for official work is good governance,” he said. “Nyari is still available should the former President change his mind.”
Nyari has had a chequered history. Initially budgeted at Sh700 million, public outcry forced Treasury to slash the figure to Sh250 million when it was acquired for Kibaki. He used it for nearly a decade but since then its role has been unclear, tied up in politics, personal choices and financial prudence.
Last year tensions rose when Kenyatta resisted pressure to move to Nyari. Mohamed countered suggestions of waste saying: “Government offices are restructured regularly. Nyari is a public asset and can be reassigned in future.”
Since his appointment last August, Itumbi has been based there. He defended the move saying: “Leaving such a facility idle until 2032 would be a misuse of public funds.” He said the office now supports creatives through music video productions, podcasts and government meetings.But the spat between Kenyatta’s office and State House mirrors their political rivalry since the 2022 election when Kenyatta backed Raila Odinga. His spokesperson, Kanze Dena-Mararo, accused Ruto’s administration of denying his office Sh1 billion in allocations including Sh503 million for 2023/24 and not providing vehicles and other entitlements.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura hit back saying a fully furnished office awaited Kenyatta in Nyari and accused him of wanting to lease his own premises—a potential conflict of interest. The government later relented and allowed Kenyatta to continue using his Caledonia office.
Mohamed dismissed claims of animosity between the administration and the former president saying: “The relationship is still cordial. The government is upholding all obligations under the law.”
Kenya’s Presidential Retirement Benefits Act requires the state to provide a retired president with an office of up to 1,000 square metres, fully furnished, maintained and funded by taxpayers.
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Sh250m Kibaki office Uhuru rejected Now Occupied by Itumbi