NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan government has firmly denied allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that Bomas of Kenya, a cultural heritage site in Nairobi’s Lang’ata area, has been sold to a Turkish investor.
Gachagua, speaking at a church service in Kitengela on Sunday, alleged that President William Ruto’s Cabinet had approved the sale, despite his objections.
“As we speak, Bomas of Kenya has been sold to a Turkish national. The Cabinet was informed, and I was the only one who opposed it. I stood firm and said this is a national heritage; we cannot sell it,” Gachagua claimed.
However, Culture Principal Secretary (PS) Ummi Bashir swiftly refuted the claims in a statement on Monday, calling them “shocking” and completely unfounded.
𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐘𝐀
Bomas of Kenya Still Government-Owned
Bashir assured Kenyans that the site remains fully government-owned and is not up for sale.
Instead, she clarified that the government is undertaking long-overdue renovations to upgrade the facility.
“Bomas of Kenya has not been sold to anyone. The development of the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC) was approved by Cabinet on 8th August 2023, after a Cabinet Memorandum presented by the then Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, Hon. Peninah Malonza,” Bashir stated.
According to her, plans to revamp Bomas have been in the works for over a decade, but it is the current administration that has pushed for its actualization.
A Strategic Cultural and Tourist Asset
Established in 1971, Bomas of Kenya serves as a cornerstone of Kenya’s cultural tourism, preserving and showcasing the country’s diverse ethnic heritage.
Over the years, it has drawn both local and international visitors eager to experience Kenya’s traditional music, dance, and customs.
Gachagua, however, maintained that the alleged sale posed risks beyond cultural preservation.
He claimed that Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) officials had objected to the transaction due to the site’s location within a flight path.
“The people from civil aviation opposed it, but the President went ahead and sold it. We are on our own,” he lamented.
Political Tensions Fuel the Debate
Gachagua’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions between him and President Ruto’s administration following his impeachment last October.
While his claim about Bomas remains unverified, it has stirred political discourse, with critics viewing it as part of a broader rift within Kenya Kwanza leadership.
For now, the government insists that Bomas of Kenya remains a national asset, held in trust for the people of Kenya, with no ownership changes in sight.
