Construction of the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC), a major government-backed project expected to host international events, is set to cost taxpayers more than Sh42 billion, lawmakers have been informed, as questions emerge over timelines, procurement and readiness ahead of a major global summit.
Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru on Thursday appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Tourism and Wildlife, chaired by Japheth Mbiuki, where he briefed members on the progress of the facility and responded to concerns about whether the venue will be ready in time for the planned Africa-France Summit scheduled for May 12.
Mariru assured the committee that the project remains on course, noting that the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife is funding the construction while the Ministry of Defence is in charge of overseeing the works being carried out on site.
“The President has committed to hosting the summit at Bomas and I can assure the Committee that the facility will be ready for the event,” said Mariru.
He explained that the convention centre, which is among the largest infrastructure projects of its kind on the continent, is being developed on a 12-acre parcel of land. Once complete, it will have a total seating capacity of 11,000, consisting of a 5,000-seater convention hall, a 3,500-seat auditorium and a 28-seat presidential lounge.
According to Mariru, construction is progressing around the clock, with about 2,300 workers currently deployed at the site to ensure deadlines are met despite the scale of the project.
Despite the assurance, members of the committee raised several concerns, particularly around the readiness of the facility and the planning process tied to hosting the international summit. Committee chairperson Japheth Mbiuki questioned whether Kenya had formally secured the rights to host the event.
“Has the BICC bid to host the summit?” he posed, adding, “The information we have is that a French team has been in Kenya inspecting the Kenyatta International Convention Centre as a possible venue.”
Lawmakers also pushed for clarity on procurement and financial arrangements surrounding the project. Ijara MP Abdi Ali Abdi called for details on subcontracted companies and payment timelines, expressing concern about potential delays in settling contractors.
“Submit the names of the companies and the payment schedule. We do not want a repeat of a situation where companies that were subcontracted to repair KICC are still owed Sh550 million,” said Abdi.
Fafi MP Farah Yakub raised doubts about whether the project could realistically meet its deadline, arguing that the current stage of work may not allow completion within the remaining time.
"The project is currently 35 percent complete a month to the set deadline. You cannot beat the deadline of such a huge project in a month," he added.
Yakub further questioned the cost of the project, suggesting that it appears higher compared to a similar convention centre in Kigali, Rwanda, and called for greater accountability in how the funds are being used.
Likuyani MP Innocent Maino warned against concentrating a large share of tourism promotion funds on a single development, noting that while the BICC is a valuable investment, other tourism initiatives should not be neglected.
On her part, Lamu East MP Obo Ruweida expressed support for the project and the government’s broader infrastructure agenda, commending the role of the Kenya Defence Forces in the construction works.
“BICC will position Kenya as a leading destination for conferences, conventions and meetings. The KDF is doing a good job on the project,” Obo said.
Mariru told the committee that upon completion, the BICC is expected to rank as the second-largest convention centre in Africa after a similar facility under construction in Accra, Ghana, a milestone the government says will boost Kenya’s profile as a regional hub for international meetings and events.
