Kenya Buys High Commission Building In London
PCS Hon Musalia Mudavadi has announced that President William Ruto’s administration has finally been able to purchase the Kenyan High Commission building in London. Kenya has been leasing the building at Ksh. 58.63 million per year in the recent past (2021 to 2023), before the price was suddenly hiked to Ksh. 95.18 million per year (last year).
In a statement on Wednesday, Mudavadi said the government is planning to upgrade the building to give it a fresh look after decades of leasing it.
“During my visit to the Kenya High Commission in London, I shared exciting news with the staff: after decades of leasing, the Government of Kenya has officially acquired the building. Plans are underway to give it a fresh new look,” Mudavadi stated.
The building’s official lease was expiring in 2021, and Kenya has been trying to purchase the chancery since then, but the plans experienced some hurdles because of a lack of a conveyancing lawyer to necessitate the transfer.
According to reports, the building, which has a total floor space of between 9000-12000 square feet would go for at least 1.22 Billion in Central London, or in the high end of 7B in more prime areas of Central London.
The idea to purchase the property in London was first floated in 2020 during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, but faced various challenges.
In 2024, the government allocated Ksh1.74 billion to acquire the London chancery and renovate the facility
