NAIROBI, Kenya – Members of Parliament have raised concerns over the Ministry of Defence’s involvement in the ongoing Sh31.6 billion renovation of Bomas of Kenya, warning against a repeat of problems seen during the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) upgrade.
The Wildlife and Tourism Committee, chaired by Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, said they had been left in the dark on the terms of engagement, procurement process, and funding arrangements for the works — despite Bomas falling under the Ministry of Tourism’s mandate.
“Please, CS, tell us what is happening. Your people are only keen on engaging us during the budget process, but during the implementation process, they pass us. We only see projects being launched in high-profile events where the president is involved, and we are in the dark,” Kareke told Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano during a committee session.
Committee members Abdi Ali (Ijaara) and Innocent Mugambe (Likuyani) recalled delays and cost overruns that marred the KICC renovations, which were also overseen by the Defence Ministry, warning that similar pitfalls could occur without full disclosure and parliamentary oversight.
“There are a lot of works ongoing at Bomas of Kenya, and as the oversight committee, we don’t know what is going on. We should not take this lightly; we must be provided with information,” Mugambe said.
The MPs demanded that CS Miano provide detailed agreements with the Defence Ministry, including the project scope, financing structure, and procurement procedures, to ensure transparency and safeguard public funds.
Miano acknowledged the concerns, saying the project’s budget had been transferred from the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to the Tourism Ministry after an executive order, and that a formal handover was in progress.
“We have taken note of the members’ concerns both for the Tourism Promotion Fund and Bomas of Kenya, which has now been domiciled in our ministry, and we are in the process of handing over,” she said.
