In a report, Auditor General Nancy Gachungu revealed that the land on which the iconic tower stands is not registered in the name of the state.
She further noted that the identity of the individuals who own the parcel is yet to be made public.
“It has also been noted that the land in which Kenyatta International Convention Centre building stands is not registered in the name of the Corporation although its value has been included in the financial statements,” stated Gathungu according to Business Daily.
She further noted that the 28-storey building is classified as a state corporation under the Ministry of Tourism but the ownership of the land beneath remains disputed.
The Kenya African National Union (KANU), which was kicked out of the building in 2013, has reportedly claimed ownership of the land classifying it among its assets.
The building holds several government offices including those of MPs and Senators.
David Mutiso, the first African architect in Kenya revealed that the building was designed with a donkey’s penis in mind.
He explained that he was first contacted by the late Tom Mboya, then KANU Secretary-General, as the party wanted to build a headquarters.
“The initial tower was inspired by a donkey’s penis… They wanted to build a headquarter for KANU. We started sketching, initially it was a simple four-storey building, it evolved with time.
“Every time we showed the President, he asked us to go higher and eventually we ended up with 17 floors,” stated Mutiso during an October 2018 interview.
The building has however spiraled into a loss-making venture with latest controversy involving a luxury trip its management took to an awards show in Mauritius.
Gathungu reported that the top bosses at the center spent Ksh6.8 million that cannot be accurately accounted for.
The Auditor-General revealed serious breaches of protocol and fund misuse by KICC bosses who spent the money while attending a trip to Mauritius for an award ceremony where KICC had been named Africa’s leading meeting and conferences destination.
KICC had sent a delegate of 20 board members and staff to represent Kenya in the World Travel Award (WTA), a number that the Auditor-General took exception with.