The Senate Roads, Transportation and Housing Standing Committee has asked the Defence Ministry and the National Treasury to provide all contract, procurement and financing records for the multibillion‑shilling Bomas International Conference Centre (BICC) project.

Committee members were briefed by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, who said Defence is handling contract, procurement and technical supervision while Tourism monitors progress and will own the facility after completion.

Senators questioned the arrangement, noting that the Ministry of Tourism funds the project yet the key contractual records are held by Defence, limiting Tourism’s oversight.

Background on the BICC project and ministry shifts

The BICC was approved by Cabinet in 2023 and was originally under the Ministry of Culture and Gender before procurement responsibilities were transferred to Defence and later the facility was moved to Tourism.

According to CS Miano, Defence will continue to manage construction and technical oversight, while Tourism will handle tourism development, marketing and eventual ownership of the centre.

The BICC is designed to boost Kenya’s capacity for large international conferences, complementing the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, with an expected capacity of about 11,000 attendees and additional auditoria and ballrooms.

Upcoming appearances and document submission

The committee has listed the specific documents it seeks, including the project contract, procurement and financing records, budgets, financial statements, payment records, progress reports and any amendments to the contract.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya is expected to appear before the Senate committee to present the requested records.