Parliament Split Over Sh300M Plan to Acquire St John Ambulance Building

The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) is facing internal divisions over a directive by President William Ruto for Parliament to acquire the St John Ambulance Kenya building located within Parliament Square for Sh300 million.

The acquisition forms part of a broader government-backed relocation plan for St John Ambulance Kenya. Under the arrangement, Parliament would purchase the organisation's existing property while the National Treasury would provide an additional Sh200 million towards the construction of a new headquarters in Upper Hill.

The combined Sh500 million package was announced by President Ruto during the 95th St John Ambulance Annual Parade and Inspection, where he said the organisation had outgrown its current premises and required a larger, modern headquarters.

According to the proposal, St John Ambulance Kenya would surrender its current building near Parliament after receiving the Sh300 million payment. The organisation has already been allocated a one-acre parcel of land in Upper Hill where the new headquarters is expected to be constructed.

However, the proposal has reportedly created unease within the PSC, with some commissioners questioning both the source of the funds and whether Parliament should finance the purchase amid competing budgetary priorities. The disagreements have also raised concerns about governance and the process through which the acquisition would be undertaken.

Supporters of the plan argue that acquiring the strategically located property would allow Parliament to expand its facilities as demand for office space continues to grow. The building sits within the Parliament Square precinct, making it attractive for future institutional development.

The proposal comes as Parliament continues to face pressure to manage expenditure carefully amid wider public scrutiny of government spending. Any acquisition would require the Parliamentary Service Commission to navigate legal, financial and procurement requirements before the transaction can proceed.