Have State lodges been left to rot?

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><xml> Normal 0 21 false false false SW X-NONE X-NONE </xml><xml> </xml> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style> The Government should do something to address the shameful neglect of what used to be State lodges in the country.

While initially former presidents and other top Government officials used to frequent these facilities to rest while on official duties, that has long ceased to be the case and the lodges are now teeming with wild animals. Some are overgrown with bushes, rust, dust and cobwebs.

The State lodges are Government facilities, but under the devolved system, it might be prudent for both arms of Government to work together to convert the lodges, say into tourist facilities, so that they can generate revenue for both the country and counties.

A good example of this sheer neglect is the Mtito Andei State Lodge in Tsavo National Park, on the border of Taita-Taveta and Makueni counties.

Sadly, now the lodge is in a pathetic state.