Nairobi, Feb. 20 -- The Treasury has rejected a plan by Foreign Affairs ministry to sell Kenya House, the official Ambassador's residence in New York.

Documents tabled in Parliament show the Treasury overruled the Ministry of Public Works on plans that the Foreign Ministry put up the dilapidated building for sale on grounds that its refurbishment is not viable.

The Kenya House is in a deplorable state and the Ambassador stays in rented premises.

The Ambassador's residence, which was built in the 1970s, sits on a three-acre plot complete with a presidential suite.

The Foreign Ministry had in 2014/15 advertised for bids for comprehensive renovations of the building but only one bid was returned quoting Sh376.5 million ($3 million).

"At...