Government Declares New State Lodges for Ruto in Bungoma and Kwale

The government has officially added two new state lodges in Bungoma and Kwale counties to support President William Ruto’s regional visits.

The decision was announced in a gazette notice by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, marking a strategic move to improve presidential accessibility and enhance service delivery during countrywide tours.

This brings the total number of state lodges across Kenya to nine.

These new lodges are based at the residences of the county commissioners in Bungoma and Kwale and are set to provide resting and operational bases for the president and top officials when visiting the respective regions.

New State Lodges Expand Ruto’s Reach Across the Country

In a gazette notice published recently, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen declared that the official residences of the Bungoma and Kwale County Commissioners will now serve as State Lodges.

These government-owned facilities are now part of a growing list of presidential lodges meant to support official functions beyond the capital city.

“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.

State Lodges in Kenya serve as temporary presidential bases outside Nairobi. They are used for rest, high-level meetings, private retreats, or state functions.

These properties are strategically located in different regions and are managed by the State House Comptroller’s office.

Their use reduces logistical challenges that come with moving the President and his security across long distances for brief visits or events.

Until now, there were seven existing state lodges in Kenya: Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Sagana, Mombasa, Kakamega, and Kisii. With the addition of Bungoma and Kwale, the number now stands at nine.

This development appears to align with Ruto’s strategy of taking government services closer to the people.

By having lodges in more counties, the President can now better coordinate activities in far-flung regions without always needing to return to Nairobi or rely solely on air travel and hotels.

A Look at Existing State Lodges and Their Roles

State lodges differ from state houses in both their roles and importance. While state houses serve as the official residences and offices of the president, state lodges act more like regional stations for short stays and localized government functions.

Some of the most notable state lodges include:

• Sagana State Lodge—Located in Nyeri County, Sagana is famous for hosting key retreats and political events. It gained prominence during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term as a venue for major national declarations.

• State Lodge Nakuru—Known for its deep historical value, Nakuru was frequently used by former Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi. Today, it remains an important site for administrative and political meetings in the Rift Valley region.

Other lodges, like those in Kisii, Kakamega, Eldoret, and Kisumu, play supporting roles in hosting the president or senior officials during regional events, county visits, or emergencies.

While these lodges are maintained by the government using public funds under the State House budget, there have been consistent efforts—especially under Ruto’s administration—to reduce wastage.

For instance, President Ruto has emphasized reducing unnecessary expenditures and streamlining operations within State House and its affiliated lodges.

Audit reports from institutions like the Office of the Auditor-General occasionally highlight the costs of maintaining or renovating these lodges.

Public scrutiny often follows when budgets appear inflated or upgrades seem excessive, but the government insists that proper oversight and need-based renovations are always observed.

Strategic Planning or Extravagance?

The gazettement of new State Lodges has raised mixed reactions among the public and political observers.

Supporters of the move argue that decentralizing presidential facilities improves accessibility and allows the head of state to work more effectively while on the move.

This could also enhance regional development and offer local economies a boost when the President and senior officials visit.

On the other hand, critics question the need for more lodges at a time when the government has been calling for austerity measures.

They argue that such expansions could lead to increased spending on renovations, security, staffing, and maintenance.

These expenses are footed by taxpayers, and critics insist that transparency in budgeting for these lodges is essential.

Regardless of differing opinions, the trend of expanding presidential reach through infrastructure appears to continue.

It reflects a model seen in many countries where heads of state maintain several official residences or bases across the nation to ease travel and enhance governance.

Conclusion

The addition of new State Lodges in Bungoma and Kwale marks a significant step in expanding the operational footprint of President Ruto’s government.

While it enhances logistical convenience for the presidency, it also adds to public interest and scrutiny over government spending.

As the number of State Lodges rises to nine, their use, maintenance, and purpose will remain under the spotlight, especially as the government continues to promise fiscal discipline.

With decentralization as a key pillar of Kenya Kwanza’s agenda, these lodges could play an essential role in bringing leadership closer to the people—if managed transparently and efficiently.