NAIROBI, Kenya – The Cabinet has approved the construction of the Bomas International Convention Complex, despite public controversy surrounding the project.
President William Ruto, who chaired a Cabinet meeting at State House on Tuesday, announced that construction will begin in two weeks as part of a broader plan to transform Bomas of Kenya into a premier international conferencing hub.
“The project aims to redefine the look, feel, and purpose of Bomas, positioning it as a premier destination for global events,” read a Cabinet dispatch following the meeting.
This is not the first time the Cabinet has greenlit the establishment of an international convention center at Bomas.
A similar approval was given in August 2023, during a Cabinet meeting at Sagana State Lodge.
The initial plan positioned the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC) as an expansion of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and envisioned the inclusion of a Presidential Pavilion, a Conference Centre, and multiple high-end hotels.
However, the revival of the project has reignited public concerns, with questions being raised about its financing, necessity, and the transparency of the process.
The State Department for Gender, Culture, Arts, and Heritage has been forced to dispel claims that Bomas of Kenya has been sold to a Turkish firm.
The allegations, first raised by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, sparked public debate over the fate of the iconic cultural site.
Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir clarified that Bomas remains under government ownership and is only undergoing refurbishment under a directive from the Cabinet.
“Bomas of Kenya, a key national heritage site, has been under consideration for refurbishment and upgrade for the past decade,” Bashir stated, adding that the modernization efforts are aimed at enhancing its global competitiveness.
She emphasized that the facility’s title deed has been in the government’s custody since 1972, and its ownership is not up for negotiation.
Despite government assurances, skepticism remains over the project’s necessity and execution.
Critics argue that Kenya already has an established convention center in the KICC and that public funds could be better allocated elsewhere.
Others have called for greater transparency in the project’s implementation, including clear details on financing and stakeholders involved.
