The government had by February 2023 spent Ksh7.7 billion on the construction of a 27-story Parliament office building whose construction was yet to be completed.
As a result of the delayed construction, the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) pays huge amounts to 70 Members of Parliament to rent office spaces elsewhere.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa, who was the chairman of the budget and appropriations committee in the 12th parliament, confirmed that the government directed a lot of money toward the construction.
“I can't remember the amount but it is not a small figure and I believe that the Parliamentary Service Commission has a duty and an obligation to ensure that the tower is completed,” Ichungwa stated.
Moreover, according to NTV's report on Wednesday, February 22, the building still required Ksh672 million for its completion despite missing three deadlines.
The construction of the building known as Bunge Towers began in July 2014 with its first completion date set for January 5, 2018.
However, the contractors failed to meet the deadline scheduling another completion date for August 23, 2020, which was later pushed to November 30, 2021, after failing to materialise. The latter date was also not achieved.
According to the project status report, the initial amount allocated to the construction of the building was Ksh5.8 billion, which was then revised upwards by Ksh1.1 billion.
The government was further charged with additional financial claims of Ksh1.05 billion, and interest on delayed payments of Ksh225.17 million, giving the project a total cost of Ksh8.3 billion.
Earlier in June 2022, the Parliamentary Service Commission announced a naming competition for the building, awarding the winner with a prize of Ksh100,000.
The commission further encouraged interested participants to front names that honour minority groups in the House and further justify their choices of names.
"The name must be catchy and reflect the values of the institution of Parliament and its stature. The winning proposal shall be awarded Ksh100,000," a statement by the PSC Director General Clement Nyandiere read in part.
