What was expected to be a modern conference facility after a Sh1.9 billion renovation is now at the centre of a Senate inquiry, with lawmakers demanding answers over reports that the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) has slipped into poor condition barely two years after the upgrade.
The Senate has launched investigations into claims that the country's main conference venue is struggling with poor maintenance, sanitation, security and management, despite the massive investment made to prepare it for the Africa Climate Summit in 2023.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei brought the matter before the House, saying complaints from tenants, workers and visitors point to a facility whose standards have steadily dropped despite the public money spent on its refurbishment.
According to the senator, KICC is now in a "sorry state" even after receiving a major facelift.
Among the concerns he raised were poorly maintained facilities, dark corridors, inadequate fumigation and pest control, as well as unrestricted access by hawkers and other unauthorised persons.
"This situation raises serious concerns regarding the management of a key national facility, the safety and security of staff, tenants and visitors, prudent management of public resources, and the centre’s ability to effectively host national, regional and international conferences and events," Cherargei said.
He also questioned recent changes in the provision of security services at the convention centre, saying concerns had emerged over whether the current security company has the capacity to secure such an important national facility.
Cherargei wants the Senate Trade Committee to explain why the security provider was changed, the procurement process followed in awarding the contract and whether proper due diligence was carried out before the firm was engaged.
"We should be told what informed the recent changes in the provision of security services at the KICC, what procurement process was followed in engaging the current security firm, and what due diligence was undertaken to establish its capacity to provide adequate security services," he said.
The senator is also seeking details on measures put in place to stop unrestricted access by hawkers, loiterers and other unauthorised persons. He further wants the committee to explain the security arrangements currently in place to safeguard tenants, delegates and visitors using the facility.
At the same time, Cherargei has asked for a report on the condition of the convention centre, including sanitation, lighting, fumigation and pest control, and wants management to outline the steps being taken to restore proper standards of cleanliness and safety.
The inquiry also extends to the convention centre's financial performance and governance.
The senator has requested a breakdown of KICC's revenue over the last five financial years, comparing annual targets with actual collections and explaining any increases or declines recorded during the period.
"We would like to know what measures the KICC management has put in place to improve governance, operational efficiency, maintenance, security and overall service delivery at the centre," he said.
He has also called for an update on the implementation of the Auditor General's recommendations on governance, financial management and asset management, together with details of planned refurbishment and modernisation programmes, including their budgets and timelines.
Further, the committee is expected to state whether disciplinary or administrative action has been taken against officials found responsible for the reported decline in the management and operations of the convention centre.
The inquiry comes months after KICC management defended the Sh1.9 billion renovation carried out ahead of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in 2023, dismissing claims that the project had fallen short of expectations.