Culture, Arts and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir has responded to claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the Bomas of Kenya has been sold to a Turkish national.
In a statement released on Monday, March 10, Bashir described the allegations as shocking, clarifying that Bomas remains under government ownership.
"I am therefore shocked by the allegations made by the former Deputy President with regard to the sale of Bomas of Kenya to a Turkish national. The State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage stands to categorically refute this allegation. Bomas of Kenya has not been sold to anyone," the statement read.
Bashir further addressed concerns about ongoing developments at the facility, noting that it was approved by the Cabinet as part of a plan to refurbish and upgrade the existing facilities.
"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, EGH.
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"The idea of refurbishing and upgrading Bomas of Kenya is not new and has been in consideration for the past 10 years. Nevertheless, it is the current administration that has given impetus to its actualization. The Bomas of Kenya has a valid title in its name, issued in 1971. This title is in the Government's custody," the statement added.
Bashir assured that the ownership of Bomas will not change, noting that it remains held in trust on behalf of Kenyans.
"The State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage assures the public that Bomas of Kenya will remain a Government facility. Its ownership shall not change, as it is held in trust on behalf of the People of the Republic of Kenya, for posterity," the statement concluded.
Speaking on Sunday, March 9 in Kajiado County, Gachagua claimed that the government has 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," he said.
Gachagua 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,” he remarked.
