The State House before the renovation|Photo Courtesy|
The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) during a press release on February 3, 2025 urged the government to preserve Kenya’s heritage amidst the ongoing renovations at State House, which according to the association, have compromised its immense historical and cultural significance.
The State House was built and was designed in 1907 by the renowned British architect Sir Herbert Baker (1862-1942). It is an architectural piece of the Neo-classical style; a style that follows the Doric and Corinthian order which is evident in its columns and mouldings around the heaves of the roof, a design that was a testament to timeless architectural principles which they insist should be preserved, not altered.
Even though the State House has not been officially declared a National monument, it’s with no doubt that it qualifies as a structure of immense historical significance, having witnessed defining moments in Kenya’s history.
The notable changes made include; replacement of iconic red roofing tiles; introduction of the roof parapet whose depth is greater than the previous depth which takes away its initial character and giving the form of a flat roof design; merging two entrances into large canopy with port coche`re or drop-off point, which has drastically modified the building’s symmetry and classic proportions; and lastly, the parapet depth obscuring other essential architectural features including chimneys, which makes it unclear if they were retained.
“The design alteration diminishes the State House as we know it. Similar mutilation has been meted on the Uhuru park pavilion which was brought down without consideration of its significance in the heritage of our country’s history, denying the future generations a way to connect with their past,” The association said in a statement.
According to AAK, several historic government buildings have been carefully preserved to maintain their cultural and architectural integrity. The likes of National Jubilee palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Ghana’s Christianborg castle which are protected as national monuments and have upheld their original characters for centuries
They insisted that Kenya should use the same approach by prioritizing restoration over drastic design changes.
They also added that public buildings and other strategic national installations requiring renovations should be listed by National Museums of Kenya and subjected to national scrutiny before any work is undertaken, engage the public and seek architectural advice.
AAK sternly called on the Government to halt further alterations to the State House, establish clear heritage conservation guidelines and consult heritage experts and the public in preserving national landmarks
AAK criticism comes after different leaders and citizens across the country called on the government for renovating State House with a huge lump sum of money and accused them of “living large.”
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