President Uhuru Kenyatta’s private residence that sits next to State House Nairobi has been fully refurbished and has been occupied for the past six months.
State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu had in 2015 confirmed that President Kenyatta and his family has moved out of their private residence at Caledonia estate to allow for an upgrade.
A source familiar with the refurbishment confirmed to Pulselive.co.ke that it had been completed late last year and the First Family had moved back to the home for at least six months.
Helipad
A spot check on Google satellite confirmed an imposing stylish house with a marked helipad at the top. The right wing of the house features a swimming pool.
Media reports had last year estimated that the upgrade would cost Sh700 million.
There is another swimming pool next to two separate houses, possibly guest houses, built on the left side from the gate.
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The main house opens up to a mini round-about and an extensive drive away lined by trees.
Reinforced security system
Unlike Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Daniel arap Moi who lived at State House most of the time, President Kenyatta prefers staying at his private home that is across the fence from the government residence.
Uhuru’s house, which was demolished to allow for the upgrade, initially belonged the Aga Khan who gifted it to Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
The elder Kenyatta is famed for his spite of State House, so much so that he never slept there for a single night in the fifteen years that he was President.