The Bomas International Convention Center (BICC) project in Nairobi has passed through two major contracting stages.
A Turkish firm was initially selected before China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) took over the current construction contract.
The project, whose cost has since risen from an initial KSh31.7 billion to a reported KSh45.1 billion, is now under Senate scrutiny over procurement, contracting responsibilities and access to key project documents.
Summa Turizm Won the Initial Tender
The first major award for the BICC project went to Turkish company Summa Turizm Yatirimciligi Anonim Sirketi in November 2023.
The company was selected to design, construct, and equip the convention complex at a proposed cost of US$245 million (KSh31.6 billion). The Ministry of Defense handled the procurement after the Government transferred responsibility for the project from the then Ministry of Culture and Gender.
However, the Summa award did not result in a completed construction contract. The Ministry of Defense later terminated the tender, citing issues including funding and changes to the scope of works.
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Public Procurement Administrative Review Board faulted the ministry over the termination and directed it to proceed with the procurement process.
The dispute over the Summa award reached the courts, leaving the original Turkish contractor without the construction contract currently being implemented.
CRBC Secured the Current Sh41.9 Billion Contract
The Ministry awarded the current construction and equipping contract to China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
According to the Auditor-General’s report on the Ministry of Defense, the ministry entered into the contract with a foreign contractor on March 18, 2025, for US$324,090,561.49 (KSh41.9049 billion) with a 24-month contract period.
Construction work began in March 2025 under the supervision of the Ministry of Defense through the Kenya Defense Forces. The Defense Ministry has described the project as an 11,000-seat convention center, with other facilities, including a sports and recreation zone, hotel, and cultural facilities.
By June 2026, the project was reported to be 38 percent complete, with the construction program having been extended to December 31, 2026. The project was expected to be completed during the 2025/26 financial year.
The Auditor-General found that it approved direct procurement on February 17, 2025, after procurement proceedings had already commenced.
It also identified a mismatch between the contract’s repayment arrangement of nine installments over 24 months and a Treasury-approved financing plan providing for a 10-year deferred payment period.
Why Senate Is Seeking the Contract
Tourism owns the project and is responsible for its tourism positioning, marketing and oversight, while Defense was delegated procurement, contracting, technical supervision and project management responsibilities.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano told senators that Defense holds the principal contract documents.
The Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing is seeking contracts, along with procurement records, financing agreements, budgets, invoices, payment records, technical reports, bills of quantities, approved designs, and details of any contract variations.
The committee has questioned why the ministry responsible for the project and its funding arrangements does not have immediate custody of the main construction contract. Senators have called on Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya to provide the documents and explain the ministry’s role in the project.
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Proposed Components of the KSh45.1 Billion BICC Project
Bomas International Convention Center (BICC) is a large conference and hospitality project whose projected cost has risen to KSh45.1 billion, up from an initial KSh31.7 billion.
The development covers 323,500 square meters near the intersection of Lang’ata Road and Magadi Road in Nairobi.
BICC is planned to accommodate up to 11,000 delegates and will have 54 meeting rooms to support conferences, diplomatic engagements, exhibitions, and other major events.
The main convention hall is planned to seat 5,000 people, making it the largest individual meeting space in the complex.
The project also includes a 3,500-seat auditorium, expected to host large presentations, meetings, and performances.
Another major component is a 1,500-capacity banquet ballroom. The ballroom is designed for large receptions, dinners, and other events that require a dedicated hospitality and entertainment space.
BICC will also include a Presidential Pavilion designed to accommodate 32 Heads of State. The facility is intended to provide space for high-level international meetings, summits and diplomatic engagements hosted in Kenya.
To support the large number of visitors expected at the convention center, the project includes parking facilities with a planned capacity of 1,300 vehicles.
The BICC development is also connected to plans to relocate and upgrade the Nairobi Animal Orphanage. The government has identified 90 acres for the relocation and development of the facility. Work on the relocation project commenced in March 2026.
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