In 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta embarked on the construction of a new private residence near State House in Nairobi, at a cost of Ksh700 million. The development involved the demolition of an iconic bungalow that had once served as the family home.

This residence, known as Caledonian House, held immense historical significance, especially for the Kenyatta family. The house was originally gifted to Kenya’s first Prime Minister, Jomo Kenyatta, by the Aga Khan family just one week before the country gained independence in 1963.

Along with the house, the Aga Khan also made a financial contribution of Ksh1 million, an extraordinary gesture of goodwill. The gift represented the deep connection between the Kenyatta family and the Aga Khan dynasty, which had longstanding ties with Kenya’s leadership.

Before it became the home of Jomo Kenyatta, Caledonian House had been the childhood residence of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and his brother, Prince Amyn. Their mother, Princess Joan, had moved them to Nairobi during World War II for their safety, making the house a significant place in their early lives.

The new mansion built by President Kenyatta is equipped with state of the art security features, including bulletproof windows and a rooftop helipad, ensuring the highest levels of protection. The mansion also offers expansive living spaces, reflecting modern luxury and security standards for the President.