NAIROBI, Kenya – The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) has strongly criticized ongoing renovations at State House, Nairobi, warning that the changes compromise the building’s historical and cultural significance.
In a statement issued on Monday, AAK President Florence Nyole expressed concern that the modifications, which include structural alterations and the removal of iconic design elements, threaten the architectural integrity of the 1907 neo-classical masterpiece designed by British architect Sir Herbert Baker.
“The ongoing renovations have significantly deviated from the building’s classic proportions, undermining its historical and architectural value,” Nyole said.
Among the contentious changes are the replacement of the building’s signature red roofing tiles, the introduction of a deeper roof parapet, and the expansion of two entrances into a large canopy—potentially a porte-cochère or drop-off point.
PRESS RELEASE: AAK’s Statement on State House Renovations.The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) @Arch_KE expresses deep concern over the ongoing renovations at State House, Nairobi, which compromise its historical and architectural significance.Built in 1907 and…
These alterations, AAK argues, disrupt the building’s symmetry and diminish key architectural features such as chimneys.
Although State House has never been officially declared a national monument, AAK insists that its historical significance, as a witness to key moments in Kenya’s political and social evolution, makes its preservation a matter of national priority.
The architects’ body likened the situation to the demolition of Uhuru Park Pavilion, which it described as an act of historical erasure that deprived future generations of a vital link to Kenya’s past.
They pointed to global examples such as Ethiopia’s National Jubilee Palace and Ghana’s Christiansborg Castle, which have been carefully preserved as national monuments.
AAK is now calling on the government to halt further renovations, establish clear heritage conservation guidelines, and involve experts and the public in decision-making processes related to national landmarks.
“Kenya must adopt a similar approach to global heritage sites by prioritizing restoration over drastic design alterations,” the statement read.
