Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi has refuted claims that she asked for a posh mansion located in an upmarket location that has a swimming pool in the backyard.
According to Ms Elachi, the executive mansion is not meant to meet her taste but will be the official residence of any holder of the Speaker’s office.
She told a local tabloid that if it was up to her, she would reject the house.
According to tender documents seen by Nairobi Wire, the mansion must be located on at least half an acre, have a perimeter wall with electric fencing, and should not be adjacent to empty plots.
The document posted on the Nairobi County Assembly’s website also states that the property must be in the designated UN blue zones, which are synonymous with diplomats and expatriates as well as people working for international agencies.
They include Karen, Kileleshwa, High Ridge, Kitisuru, Lang’ata, Muthangari, Spring Valley, Muthaiga, Loresho, Lower Kabete, Windsor, and Balozi.
“It should have a swimming pool, private gate, paved driveway, can hold at least five parking slots, superior fittings, guard house, two worker’s quarters, a borehole, lawns and flower beds as well as a backup generator,” it states.
A reception area capable of holding 50 persons is also another requirement of the county assembly and five bedrooms with at least three en-suite with balconies and terraces.
The flooring of the house should be wooden or ceramic and it should have kitchen fixtures and fittings. It should also have a library, study room, and family/television room.
The mansion will be the first time for a county assembly to purchase a house for its speaker since the advent of devolution.
Speaking to Nairobi News, Ms Elachi allayed concerns that she had made demands that meet her personal preferences.
“This posh girl has lived in Lavington for over 25 years in a bigger house than the one being bought by the county. Have I been living on a tree for me to demand for a house?” she posed.
She said she does not need city’s taxpayers to fund her house.
“Nairobians are suffering a lot and the notion that the Speaker is buying a house is just in bad taste. I have a big house with a swimming pool and my agenda is not just a big house.”
County Speakers are entitled to a monthly house allowance of sh150,000.
