MPs have urged the government to relocate State House, Nakuru citing severe congestion, limited room for expansion and the growing status of Nakuru as a major city and regional hub.

Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on National Administration and Internal Security made the call during scrutiny of the 2026/2027 State House budget estimates, where State House Comptroller Dr Katoo Ole Metito appeared to defend proposed allocations and appropriations.

Nakuru County Woman Representative Liza Chelule led calls for the relocation, arguing that the current facility no longer reflects the stature and dignity of a modern State House.

“The State House is in a very poor position and condition, considering it is just next to the main road to Nairobi,” she told the committee.

Chelule said the residence, located along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway and surrounded by high-rise buildings, faces serious limitations that make expansion nearly impossible.

She proposed the acquisition of a larger parcel of land, saying the government should establish a modern facility befitting Nakuru’s city status.

“I am proposing that Nakuru, being a city now, we can get more than 100 acres and relocate so that we come up with the right structures that reflect the stature and dignity of State House,” she said.

According to the lawmaker, continued investment at the current location would only worsen congestion challenges.

“It is not in the right position. It is squeezed between tall buildings and there is no room for expansion. I think we need to do something different and relocate completely from that place,” she added.

Committee chairperson and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo acknowledged concerns over the location and lack of space at Nakuru State House.

He said the committee had previously discussed the issue, noting that surrounding developments belonged to legitimate landowners and the county government, making expansion difficult unless the State acquired more land.

“Of course, they are the rightful owners, and the issue of space remains a challenge,” he said.

Tongoyo, however, noted that the current budget had allocated Sh100 million for renovation of State Houses and State lodges across the country.

He suggested part of the allocation could be used to improve facilities at the Nakuru residence as discussions on relocation continue.

The legislator specifically proposed refurbishment of a pavilion previously used by former President Daniel arap Moi to host delegations.

“Out of the Sh100 million allocation, we can at least improve that pavilion as we continue discussions on acquiring land or relocating the facility,” he said.

But Chelule rejected the proposal, insisting that renovation of the current compound would not solve the underlying challenges.

“We need to get out of that place. Even if we are going to do a pavilion within that space, we are doing completely nothing. Let’s move out of that place,” she said.

Metito told MPs that several State House facilities across the country face infrastructural and physical limitations that make expansion difficult and expensive.