State House
The Kenyan government has broadened its network of State Lodges, designating new facilities in Bungoma and Kwale counties.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has formalised the expansion through a gazette notice, increasing the total number of State Lodges nationwide to nine. State Lodges serve as crucial infrastructure, providing secure and convenient accommodations for the President and senior government officials during official engagements, retreats, and regional tours.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares the Bungoma County Commissioner and Kwale County Commissioner’s official residences as State Lodges,” the notice read.
The newly established lodges leverage the existing official residences of the Bungoma and Kwale County Commissioners, in line with the government's strategy to repurpose existing infrastructure for state use. These facilities, overseen by the State House Comptroller's office, are maintained through public funds, supporting renovations and operational costs. Historically, State Lodges have been utilised for political discussions, high-level summits, and administrative retreats, in addition to serving as presidential residences outside Nairobi.
Kenya's State Lodge network now includes locations in Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Sagana, Mombasa, Kakamega, and Kisii. Sagana State Lodge, in particular, has played a significant role in political strategy and retreats, hosting key announcements under previous administrations. Nakuru State Lodge also holds historical significance, having been frequently used by founding President Jomo Kenyatta and his successor, Daniel arap Moi.
State Houses, located in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru, serve as official presidential residences and administrative centres, providing a base for national operations and hosting dignitaries. State Lodges, on the other hand, are designed for temporary stays and regional engagements, catering to a more specific range of activities.