Culture and heritage PS dismisses Gachagua’s claim on sale of Bomas
Ummi has clarified that the facility is under refurbishment and upgrade as approved in the cabinet in August 2023 under the development of the Bomas International Convection Complex (BICC) as had been presented by the then cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, Peninah Malonza.
Culture and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir has refuted claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the Bomas of Kenya has been sold to a Turkish national.
Ummi said the facility is under refurbishment and upgrade after the Cabinet in August 2023 approved the development of the Bomas International Convection Complex (BICC) as had been presented by the then Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage Peninah Malonza.
“The State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage stands to categorically refute claims that the Bomas of Kenya has been sold to a Turkish national. Bomas of Kenya has not been sold to anyone,” Ummi said in a statement.
She stated that the development of BICC and the upgrade and refurbishment of Bomas of Kenya are not new as they have been planned for the last 10 years with President William Ruto’s administration only actualising the project.
“The idea of refurbishing and upgrading the Bomas of Kenya is not new and has been in the consideration of the last ten years. It is the current administration that has given impetus to its actualization,” she stated.
According to the PS, through the Bomas International Convection Complex, the government plans to create a premium conferencing facility as part of a bold vision to rewrite the look, feel, and purpose of Bomas.
She added that the target is ensuring BICC becomes the market leader in the region with multiple conferencing venues that will quantum leap from the facilities as she assured that the facility will remain a government facility.
Her statement comes after Rigathi alleged that the facility had been sold to a Turkish national.
Speaking at the ACK Holy Trinity Church in Kitengela, Kajiado County, yesterday, Gachagua alleged that the Cabinet had already approved the sale, despite objections from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) due to it being on their flight path.
“As we speak, Bomas of Kenya has been sold to a Turkish national. The Cabinet was informed, and I was the only one who opposed it. I stood firm and said this is a national heritage; we cannot sell it,” he claimed.
Established in 1971, the Bomas of Kenya was created to preserve, showcase, and promote the rich and diverse cultures of Kenya’s various ethnic groups. It has served as a significant tourist attraction and cultural center.
