Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s official Karen residence received a facelift with new tiles replaced after he assumed office.
The new-looking residence was spotted in viral photos as Kindiki met Embu parliamentarians to discuss economic areas of concern for the region.
Keen-eyed Kenyans spotted the glaring changes in the office in a side-by-side comparison of the residence while Gachagua was still the occupant.
“Met Embu Parliamentarians who paid a courtesy call to discuss the status of national government development projects in the county and government interventions to protect and strengthen critical agricultural value chains in the county- notably tea, coffee, milk, macadamia and cathus edulis (Muguuka),” DP Kindiki captioned.
Captured alongside Kithure Kindiki were CS Geoffrey Ruku, Senator Alexander Mundigi, Woman Rep Njoki Njeru, MPs Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), and Eng. Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South).
Netizens were quick to notice the changes in the face of the official residence, the fresh renovations taking center stage.
@widson_ambaisi quote-tweeted the post with a photo of Former DP Rigathi Gachagua at the same residence, which had black exquisite tiles then. He captioned, “The tiles had not even lasted a year.”
@MJGaitho was quick to take the first jab, “Government buildings used to be well built. Looking at the poor finish, you wonder what kind of contractor they engage.”
@Lilyjames20440 added, “The finishing looks very shoddy. I see splotches of cement & mold on the cabro, rusted tile edges.”
@Johnsoni_1 shared a photo of President Ruto at the residence, showing also a different design, “We are really a wasteful country.. and Gachagua changed the tiles when he took over the residence.”
A section of X users speculated the flooring to be made of granite.
A quick check online by TNX Africa returns that granite flooring generally costs between KSh 12,000 and KSh 40,000 per square meter, depending on the type and quality of the stone, hence making it a premium flooring option.
More affordable options like ceramic tiles exist as a popular choice, typically ranging from KSh 700 to KSh 8,000 per square meter, offering durability and variety.
In the recent past, the government has come under fire for allocating money for renovations every financial year, leaving Kenyans questioning the frequency and effectiveness of these allocations.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's office rattled Kenyans after seeking Sh1.12 billion for renovations at his Harambee Annex office and the Karen residence.
Officials from the then DP's office cited the buildings' condition and a "continuous lack of maintenance" as reasons for the requested funds. These included security system upgrades, which parliamentary committees questioned, including the frequent and quick succession of renovations at the Karen residence.
In the 2025/26 fiscal year, Sh894.9 million has been allocated for rehabilitation at State House Nairobi and other official residences, even as critics argue that the renovations in the house on the hill alter its original architectural design.
