The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has kicked off the purchase of furniture, electronics, and kitchenware for use at the official residence of its governor, signalling the completion of renovation works on the facility, which has remained unoccupied for about a decade.
The official house of the CBK chief in Nairobi’s Muthaiga estate had been empty for 10 years since former governor Patrick Njoroge opted to put up elsewhere.
An order book by the CBK showed that the residence is finally set for occupation, with the apex bank inviting suppliers of lavish high-end furniture, electronics, and kitchenware.
For example, the orders showed that the residence would be fitted with furniture made from kiln-dried mahogany wood, a custom-made 7-by-8 feet mahogany box bed for the master bedroom, multiple QLED TVs with displays of up to 85 inches, and top-of-the-range sound bars, among others.
The property, which sits on two acres and neighbours the residence of the late President Mwai Kibaki and the official houses of the US ambassador and British High Commissioner, has been undergoing major renovations since 2024.
An order book by the CBK showed that the residence is finally set for occupation, with the apex Dr Njoroge exited as CBK boss in June 2023 after serving for eight years, paving the way for his successor Kamau Thugee.
It was not immediately clear whether Dr Thugge would move into the official residence once the furnishing is complete.
The CBK governor’s residence is among the public-owned facilities, which are on the spot for remaining disused despite costing fortunes in taxpayer funds.
Other residences that have remained idle include the official residence of the Chief Justice and those built for the National Assembly and Senate Speakers. The official CJ residence, which was bought for Sh310 million, has never been occupied by successive office holders, including Willy Mutunga, David Maraga, and Martha Koome.
Senate and National Assembly Speakers, Amason Kingi and Moses Wetang’ula, still operate from their private homes and have not occupied the designated official residences.
The Senate Speaker’s official residence in Karen was bought for Sh150 million in 2013 and occupied by the first Speaker of the House, Ekwe Ethuro, and his successor, Kenneth Lusaka.
