Multi-million VP house finally completed

By Mutinda Mwanzia

The famous multi-million building that will serve as the Vice President's house is now complete.

Public Works Minister Chris Obure has said that the official residence of the Vice President was complete and ready for occupation.

He said the VP's residence cost at least Sh600 million. Related story .

Obure said already Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka had begun using the offices at the residence for official and personal engagements. Related story.

"It is ready for occupation despite the fact that it has taken more days to complete than expected," said Obure.

He said the delay in completing the project was due to the fact that the original contractor had his tender terminated due to poor workmanship.

Obure revealed the information when he spoke to journalists at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), Nairobi, during the launch of the ministry's quality management system based on the ISO 9000 standards.

The VP's residence sits on a ten-acre piece of land in the plush suburb of Karen, Nairobi.

The original contractor, M/s Dimken Kenya Limited was awarded the tender for the residence on January 25, 2006 at a contract sum of Sh197,004,780 and was expected to complete the project on January 27, 2007.

Rear view Vice President's house at Karen, Nairobi. Photo:Moses Omusula/Standard

However, the contract was terminated on October 21, 2008 due to non-performance despite the contractor having been paid Sh69,975,895 million.

Following termination of the Dimken contract, the Government awarded the tender to a new company, M/s Italbuild Imports Ltd at a contract sum of Sh383,066,066 million.

Obure said the residence would be the official home of current Vice President if he decides to live there and future VPs.

The residence comprises a main house with a master bedroom, three children's bedrooms and two guest wings.

Other notable structures include a one-storeyed caretaker's house and an office block for the VP that has a boardroom, lounge and a media centre.

Obure said his ministry had completed over 200 projects countrywide adding that its core mandate was to ensure that the necessary infrastructure was built for the development of the nation.