Kenyan Envoys Face Substandard Living Conditions Despite Millions Spent

A recent audit conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Kenya has identified concerns regarding the living conditions and financial strains of Kenya's diplomatic missions in Islamabad, London, and Pretoria.

The audit report, covering the fiscal year 2022-2023, highlights the dire state of the chancery building and the High Commissioner's residence in Islamabad. The project, initiated in 2008, remains incomplete after the original contractor withdrew his interest in 2014. The audit highlights ongoing issues such as poor drainage, malfunctioning elevators, structural cracks, and substandard construction despite the subsequent engagement of a new contractor.

In London, the situation appears equally concerning. As of November 2023, renovations at the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner's residence were underway, but crucially, without a formal contract or detailed cost estimates. This raises concerns about potential financial irregularities and project oversight. Furthermore, the audit reveales that the Kenyan mission has been incurring significant rental costs for the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner's residences, exceeding Sh2 million per month combined.

Adding to the concerns, the lease for Kenya's chancery building in London expired in October 2021. While the Kenyan government allocated funds for the purchase of a new building in the subsequent financial years, the process has stalled, potentially leading to increased rental costs in the future. The audit also identifies irregularities in the management of Kenyan diplomatic properties in Kinshasa and Pretoria.

In Kinshasa, ownership documents for the plot housing the chancery are reportedly missing, raising legal concerns. Meanwhile, the newly constructed ambassador's residence in Pretoria, completed in 2015 at Sh765 million remains unoccupied due to a lack of furnishings.