Gachagua Claims Bomas of Kenya Has Been Sold To A Turkish National

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that the government has sold the historic Bomas of Kenya to a Turkish national. 

Speaking on Sunday, March 9 in Kajiado County, Gachagua said the government has already approved the sale of Bomas.

The former DP noted that he was the only one who opposed the selling of the heritage site to a private individual.

"I was the only one who stood up and said that Bomas of Kenya is a national heritage and we cannot sell it. It has been sold to a Turkish national who is a business partner of a very senior person in this government, you all know him. That Bomas is gone," said Gachagua.

He also pointed out that the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) raised concerns about Bomas citing that it is a flight path to Wilson Airport. 

"The people from Civil Aviation opposed it, saying that the flight path to Wilson Airport is there and it will be dangerous,” the former DP remarked. 

Further, he claimed that all prison lands across the country had been sold and the prisons would have to be relocated.

"All prison land has been sold. All prisons are supposed to be relocated. Even all the churches within the prisons will be demolished,” he added.

In August 2023, the Cabinet approved the establishment of an ultra-modern convention centre that will be known as the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC).

In a communique, the cabinet noted that the establishment of the facility will position Kenya as the destination of choice for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions and tourism.

The ultra-modern convention will feature a conference centre, a presidential Pavilion, and at least five hotels.

The ultra-modern convention centre, which will be an advancement of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), is expected to feature a Conference Centre, a Presidential Pavilion and at least five hotels.

“This State initiative, fifty years after the groundbreaking of Kenya’s first international convention centre (KICC), is expected to further the growth of conference tourism, hospitality, and event and aviation industries as set out in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” a dispatch from the cabinet read in part.

The tender to build the facility was awarded to Summa Turizm Yatimciligi Anonim Sirketi but it was later terminated and issued to the Turkish company.