Ruto's Weston Hotel Secures 37 State Tenders Worth Sh57.9 Million

The Weston Hotel, owned by President William Ruto, has emerged as a prominent recipient of government contracts among Nairobi's hotels since the Kenya Kwanza administration assumed office in September 2022.

Data from the Public Procurement Information Portal reveals that the hotel has secured 37 tenders valued at Sh57.9 million, outpacing other local establishments such as the Fairview Hotel which obtained 15 contracts. These tenders, awarded by various state corporations, agencies, and counties, have primarily been for the provision of diverse services. A significant portion of Weston Hotel's government business stems from a substantial payment of Sh43.2 million from the ICT Authority. This sum was allocated for catering services during the Connected Africa Summit, an event aimed at fostering regional collaboration in technology and innovation. The summit, which took place at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi from April 12 to May 13, 2023, was inaugurated by President Ruto himself.

The hotel's dealings with public entities have ignited considerable debate, particularly in light of President Ruto's disclosure of his ownership stake. Other notable directors associated with the hotel include the First Lady Mrs Chebet Rael Kimeto and the President's daughter Ms Charlene Chelagat Ruto. Public records indicate a marked increase in government contracts awarded to Weston Hotel following Dr Ruto's ascension to the presidency, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. According to available data, the Machakos County Assembly stands as the hotel's largest client, having awarded it 21 contracts. Other state corporations that have engaged Weston Hotel's services include the Kenya Medical Research Institute and the Kenya Investment Authority, with the majority of these engagements occurring after Ruto took office.

It is worth noting that despite government austerity measures discouraging state entities from hosting events in hotels, Weston Hotel continues to secure public sector engagements. However, the transparency of public procurement processes remains incomplete as numerous suppliers and procuring entities have yet to fulfil their obligations to update the portal with the requisite information. This lack of comprehensive documentation undermines efforts to enhance transparency, particularly in light of the government's initiatives in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF has stipulated that Kenya must strengthen its frameworks for declaring assets and managing conflicts of interest among public officials. The ongoing discussions surrounding the Conflict-of-Interest Bill, 2023, further complicate the landscape.

While the bill, approved by the President's Cabinet, aims to impose stricter penalties on public officials engaging in business with the government, amendments made by Senators have diluted some of its more stringent provisions. These changes have particularly affected clauses prohibiting government officers from tendering for contracts with public entities and those mandating regular wealth declarations, intensifying scrutiny of public officeholders' dealings. The sensitivity surrounding conflicts of interest is further exemplified by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's public caution to his sons regarding their ownership of the Sh3.5 billion Tree Tops Hotel.

Adding to the complexity of Weston Hotel's situation is the controversial history of its land acquisition. The procurement portal includes details about allegations that the land was unlawfully acquired from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. While the hotel's stakeholders maintain they procured the land in good faith, the legitimacy of its acquisition continues to attract public scrutiny.