State House (Kenya)

State House

State House Nairobi (2005)
Former names Government House
General information
Architectural style Palladian, Neoclassical
Address State House Road
P.O Box: 40530-00100
Nairobi, Kenya.
Coordinates 1°16′58″S 36°48′00″E / 1.28278°S 36.80000°E / -1.28278; 36.80000Coordinates: 1°16′58″S 36°48′00″E / 1.28278°S 36.80000°E / -1.28278; 36.80000
Current tenants Kenyan Presidential Administration
Completed 1907 (109 years)
Design and construction
Architect Herbert Baker

State House is the official residence of the President of Kenya. It was the residence of the Prime Minister of Kenya from independence until Kenya (12 Dec 1963) transformed into a republic (12 Dec 1964). As the Prime Minister's position was abolished, it has been the official residence of the president since then.

Director-General of WTO Roberto Azevêdo with President Uhuru Kenyatta, at State House (2014)

History

Before the construction of Government House Nairobi, the first Governor's residence was at Government House Mombasa constructed in 1879. The Government House Nairobi, now State House was built in 1907 in Nairobi to serve as the official residence of the Governor of British East Africa when Kenya was a British Colony. The governor would conduct his official functions at the old Provincial Commissioner's office (now a national monument) next to Nyayo House and then retire to Government House for the day.[1] It was designed by the British architect Herbert Baker.

After independence, Government House was renamed State House. Although it remained the official residence of the Head of State, in practice it became an administrative or operational office occasionally providing accommodation to visiting state guests and receptions on National Days. This scenario has prevailed to-date with the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and President Moi preferring private residence as opposed to living in State House.

Other Residences

State House in Nairobi stands on a 3-square-kilometre (300 ha; 740-acre) piece of land. It is a 10-minute drive from the city centre. Other than the Nairobi one, there are other State Houses in Mombasa and Nakuru.[1]

There are state lodges in Eldoret, Sagana, Kisumu and Kakamega. They are scattered around the country to provide accommodation to the president whenever he is touring various parts of the country.[1]

President Uhuru Kenyatta once met Somali Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon in Sagana State Lodge, which is said to be Kenya's own version of Camp David. The president has been said to be shifting key presidential functions to stations outside Nairobi.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 The Presidency | State House Retrieved on 14 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Changing face of Uhuru Kenyatta's State House Retrieved on 14 January 2015.
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