Are the State lodges worth their bill?

By Abiya Ochola

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee chairman Bonny Khalwale said the Government should dispose of the facilities, as they were only gobbling up taxpayers’ money.

"This is a UK model where the Queen has rural castles. In the current set-up, it is my submission that State lodges serve no purpose other than to eat into our meagre resources," said Dr Khalwale.

He added: "Currently, there are several hotels in the countryside many of which are equipped with Presidential suites specifically designed to meet the standards of a Head of State. Why not use them?"

Khalwale said employees at the State Lodges should be redeployed to deserving ministries. Kimilili MP Eseli Simiyu termed the State lodges an "unnecessary waste".

"If President Kibaki avoids using the State lodges for security reasons, then shuttling in choppers is not the safest alternative," he said.

MPs Fred Outa (Nyando) and John Pesa (Migori) said the Kisumu State Lodge should be leased to an investor. Outa said State lodges are supposed to be "symbols of unity" where the President should meet residents of a particular region.

"By shunning Kisumu State Lodge, the President is sending a clear message about his attitude to people in the region," Outa said.

A peep at the budget for the State lodges shows that the largest item is hospitality supplies and services to entertain guests of the Head of State while at the facility.

However, with years going past without President Kibaki setting foot in many of the lodges, the question begging answers is, how is the money spent? Mombasa received the largest share — Sh13m in two years — followed by Sagana with Sh5.7m.

Despite Kibaki having last stepped in Kakamega and Kisumu not more than three times in his six years in power, the State lodges got an average of Sh1 million annually for hospitality supplies.

Nakuru and Eldoret got Sh13m for the vote in the last 24 months. Eldoret received Sh2.3m for maintenance while Nakuru and Mombasa got Sh2.9m and Sh4.3m respectively for refurbishment.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman defended the State lodges saying they were symbols of power and sovereignty.

The Ombudsman James Simani said: "We should not downplay the importance of the State lodges. These are installations where the President can host important meetings like Camp David in the USA. The amount used to manage them should not be an issue".

Some MPs from the Mt Kenya region did not want to be dragged into the debate.

PNU Chief Whip George Thuo and Central Kenya Parliamentary Group Chairman Ephraim Maina declined to comment. But former MP GG Kariuki said the lodges should be kept and adequate monies allocated to rehabilitate them.

"A hard working President can still use them. The personal conduct of the incumbent President should not affect his successors," Kariuki said. Former Subukia MP Koigi Wamwere said the State lodges should be converted to schools, hospitals or State Hotels open to all Government dignitaries.