MPs order crackdown on encroached state lodge parcels

MPs want State House to immediately repossess parcels of land belonging to state lodges that have allegedly been irregularly occupied by private individuals and institutions.

The directive came after it emerged some of the properties set aside for official use have gradually been taken over, raising questions over how public assets ended up in private hands.

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State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito singled out Kisumu and Nakuru state lodges as some of the facilities heavily invaded.

He was appearing before the National Assembly’s Administration and Internal Security Committee for the 2026 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) hearings.

In Kisumu, it has emerged that a nominated MCA is occupying a housing unit that is part of a state lodge.

“We visited Kisumu, and despite the renovations, there were many land disputes. One part had been taken away by the county government, and one house was occupied by a nominated MCA,” committee chairman and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo said.

“The security experts advised that the Nakuru building adjacent to the Nakuru State House may not be fit to be there.”

Another part within Kisumu State Lodge is reportedly being used by the Kenya Wildlife Service as a sanctuary.

“Almost all these state lodges have been encroached, but Kisumu and Nakuru are more pronounced,” Katoo told the committee.

He further disclosed that the 100 acres of Kakamega State Lodge land that had been grabbed have since been reclaimed.

Leaders responding to the matter said the situation points to possible grabbing of public property and called on the State House Nairobi to move swiftly to reclaim and secure all land belonging to state lodges across the country.

They warned that failure to act could encourage further encroachment on government facilities meant to serve official functions.

Suna West MP Peter Masara demanded a comprehensive audit of all state lodges to establish their current status and ensure any illegally acquired property is returned to the government.

“For lands, you can forego everything and reclaim those parcels. Prevention is better than cure,” Masara said.

The State House Comptroller also told Parliament they intend to spend Sh1.03 billion in renovation works for the state houses and lodges across the country.

According to Metito, State House intends to implement 13 ongoing projects to improve, restore and maintain physical infrastructure.

From the documents tabled, State House, Nairobi, gets the biggest chunk with Sh452.5 billion proposed for allocation in the BPS for the fiscal period 2026-27.

The renovations at the Mombasa State House are budgeted at Sh201.1 million for the next financial year.

The Nakuru State House has an estimated project cost of Sh875 million, with Sh424.44 million already spent as of December 31, 2025, with Sh98.7 million proposed for allocation in the 2026-27 financial year.

Eldoret State Lodge’s facelift is estimated to cost Sh88.5 million.

The Kisumu State House renovation works for the 2026-27 fiscal period is estimated to cost Sh30.1 million.

Kisii State Lodge, according to the BPS, with a budget of Sh195.75 million, has Sh15.4 million proposed for allocation in the next financial year.

Kakamega State lodge, with a budget of Sh265.3 million, has Sh28.6 million in projected expenditure for the next financial year.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

State House and the lodges facilitate the President in the execution of authority and functions as highlighted in the constitution towards the realisation of the government transformation agenda.