The National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture has turned down a request for Sh150 million by the State Department for Culture, Arts, and Heritage to facilitate the relocation of staff at Bomas of Kenya. The committee, led by Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, dismissed the request as excessive and a potential avenue for misuse of public funds.
During a session to review the 2025 Budget Policy Statement, the MPs questioned the justification for the amount requested, particularly in the absence of a detailed breakdown of expenditures.
“The amount you requested was too much. Have you identified offices where you want to move your staff to? What is the breakdown of the relocation exercise?” Wanyama asked the department representatives.
Principal Secretary (PS) Ummi Bashir, who presented the budget request, explained that the planned facelift of Bomas of Kenya was being funded by a donor, necessitating the temporary relocation of staff to facilitate the project.
“Relocation of staff to new temporary offices as the construction works would be going on requires Sh150 million. We request the Committee to intervene and have the money allocated to the department to fund the process,” she said.
However, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi opposed the request, stating that the contractor undertaking the Bomas reconstruction should cater for the relocation expenses.
“Whoever won the tender for the reconstruction of Bomas of Kenya should undertake the relocation of staff at his expense,” Omondi argued.
The committee also criticized the department’s budget priorities, questioning why only Sh90 million out of a Sh3.54 billion budget was allocated for development.
Teso South MP Mary Emaase raised concerns about the disproportionate spending, asking, “Why allocate Sh90 million out of more than Sh3 billion for development? What are your priorities as a department?”
Bashir informed the committee that the department had requested Sh5.98 billion for the Financial Year 2025-2026 but was only allocated Sh3.54 billion. The funds include Sh3.45 billion for recurrent expenditure and Sh90 million for development projects.
Additionally, the PS revealed that the Treasury had declined to allocate Sh50 million requested for the establishment of a Heroes Fund to honor national heroes such as the late broadcaster Leonard Mambo Mbotela.
The committee’s firm stance underscores the need for accountability and prioritization of public funds, especially in projects that require substantial expenditure.
