The government has gazetted two new locations that will
serve as State Lodges in Bungoma and Kwale counties.
In the gazette notice done by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen,
these two locations are the official residences of the County Commissioners
of Bungoma and Kwale.
“It is notified for the general information of the public
that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares
the Bungoma County Commissioner and Kwale County Commissioner’s official
residences as State Lodges,” the notice read.
The facilities are managed by the State House Comptroller’s
office to ensure they are ready for any official engagement by the Head of
State.
These lodges, alongside the country’s main State Houses,
serve as official residences for the President and other top government
officials when conducting duties outside the capital.
Apart from Nairobi, there are other State Houses in Mombasa
and Nakuru.
There are also state lodges in Eldoret, Sagana, Kisumu, Kakamega,
Kitale and Kisii.
They are scattered around the country to provide
accommodation to the president whenever he is touring various parts of the
country.
State Lodges are maintained using public funds under the
State House budget.
President William Ruto, since coming into office, has been occasionally
holding Cabinet meetings in State Lodges.
This is usually done when he is out for his regional
development tours of the country.