President William Ruto has issued an update on the status of the Bomas International Convention Complex, highlighting its progress and announcing timelines for completion.
In a statement on Monday, December 22, he said the project is advancing as planned, with round-the-clock work ahead of its completion in April 2026.
Ruto explained that the design and standards of the facility are intended to align with international expectations.
"Construction of the Bomas International Convention Complex is progressing well. The project is being delivered around the clock, employing up to 3,000 workers daily, to ensure it is completed by April 2026.
"It is designed to meet modern global conference standards and positions Kenya as Africa’s leading conference destination," he said.
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Ruto further noted that the complex has already attracted major international interest, with a high-profile summit booked even before construction is completed.
"The facility has already been booked to host the France Africa Summit on 12 May 2026, even before completion. This demonstrates our commitment to delivering world class infrastructure that propels Kenya towards first world status," he added.
This comes months after Culture, Arts and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir 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.
"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.
