Allegations surrounding the purported sale of the iconic Bomas of Kenya have ignited a fierce debate, pitting a former high-ranking government official against the current administration and drawing scrutiny from Parliament and civil society. While the government vehemently denies any sale, insisting on a major modernization project, questions regarding transparency and the facility’s future persist.
The controversy was largely sparked by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who claimed that the Bomas of Kenya, a renowned cultural and events center, had been secretly sold to a Turkish national. Gachagua alleged that the decision was made at the Cabinet level and that he was the lone voice of opposition to the sale of what he termed a “national heritage.”
The Kenyan government has swiftly and strongly refuted these allegations. Principal Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Ms. Ummi Mohammed Bashir, and other government officials have categorically stated that Bomas of Kenya has not been sold and remains public property. According to the government, the facility is undergoing a significant upgrade to transform it into the “Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC),” a world-class conference and cultural hub. This modernization plan, they state, was approved by the Cabinet on August 8, 2023, and has been under consideration for the past decade. Officials emphasize that the title deed, issued in 1971, remains in government custody.
Government spokesperson Dennis Itumbi, Head of Special Projects at the Office of the President, dismissed Gachagua’s claims as “misleading and baseless,” accusing him of attempting to derail national progress. Itumbi and Bashir both reiterated that the ongoing works are part of a long-overdue refurbishment aimed at positioning Kenya as a top destination for international conferences and cultural events. Some government statements also suggested that Mr. Gachagua had previously supported these modernization efforts while he was in office.
While no specific individual or company has been officially named by Gachagua as the buyer beyond a “Turkish national,” reports indicate that a Turkish firm, Summa Turizm Yatirimciligi Sirketi, is involved in the Sh31.6 billion Bomas renovation project. This has led to speculation about the nature of the deal and whether it involves any transfer of ownership or long-term control.
The situation has attracted the attention of Parliament, with the National Assembly reportedly freezing Sh4.5 billion from the Tourism Promotion Fund that had been allocated for the Bomas renovations. Legislators have raised questions about the necessity of these additional funds, given the substantial existing funding for the project by the Turkish firm, and are demanding more clarity on the government’s priorities.
Civil society has also voiced concerns, though not always directly about the sale itself. There is mounting public scrutiny over the developments at the national heritage site. Environmental organizations like Greenpeace Africa have previously raised alarms about the potential impact of development projects on adjacent green spaces, such as the “Bomas block” of the Ngong Forest, which they stated was at risk due to construction activities. These broader concerns tap into anxieties about the protection of public land and cultural heritage amidst large-scale development projects.
As the bulldozers continue their work at Bomas, the Kenyan public remains caught between assurances of a bright, modern future for the iconic venue and lingering suspicions fueled by the high-profile allegations. The government faces the task of not only completing the ambitious renovation but also ensuring full transparency regarding all aspects of the project to allay public fears about the fate of this cherished national asset.
