Bunge Towers: Controversial new offices for MPs spark suitability debate

Even as President William Ruto plans to officially open the new offices set to be occupied by Kenya's lawmakers, the suitability of the 28 storey building costing taxpayers a whooping Sh9.26 billion is causing uproar among Kenyans and the lawmakers themselves.

Reports indicate that the MPs began occupying the building on Thursday last week following communication by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, during the afternoon sitting of Tuesday, April 9, 2025.

The Eastleigh Voice spoke with several lawmakers who expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the offices were allocated and their suitability in terms of the cost used for construction.

Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo wondered why she was left out of the list of lawmakers to occupy the building.

"I was left out and I don't know why they did so to me," protested Gogo.

Sabatia lawmaker Clement Sloya, however, said the lower level of the tower is already occupied, as most of them, who have all along been operating from the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) will now operate in new offices.

"We have started actualizing the communication from the speaker. I can confirm that the lower level of Bunge towers has been occupied. Those of us who were operating from KICC have also started relocating," said Sloya.

Several MPs who sought anonymity queried the real cost of the building.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei questioned the cost incurred during the construction of the Bunge Towers in Nairobi.

The Senator noted that the project cost Sh9.6 billion, which is Sh4 billion above the budget.

Cherargei has roped in the Public Service Commission (PSC) to explain why the construction went over budget, citing Sh1.5 billion that was used to purchase furniture.

"There is no evidence of variation of 25 per cent as provided by the Public Finance Act, which states that if you have to vary a project you vary by 25 per cent," Cheragei noted.

The senator further explained that the Members of Parliament were reluctant to relocate to the new offices, as some parts of the building were yet to be completed.

"Despite the ongoing relocation of MPS, construction is ongoing on some of the floors. The gym and the kitchen, among others, are incomplete. The lift is not working as well," he noted.

The legislator also claimed that despite the billions spent on the over-a-decade-old project, it was still not up to the societal or health standards for the MPs to occupy.

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"The lift does not work, and some of the offices lack windows. MPs might be exposed to jaundice from a lack of light," he added.

Further explaining the deplorable state of their current offices at the KICC, Cherargei added that the Parliament administration has failed to give media coverage of the building, which Kenyans deserve to see.

"If you see members don't want to relocate from KICC, which is dirty, has no lighting, and the toilets are smelly to a new building, then there is a problem."

The building contains 331 offices, committee rooms, an open garden floor, an ultra-modern restaurant, a health club and four basement parking floors that can accommodate up to 350 vehicles.

In his communication, Speaker Wetang'ula said the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) was keen to expedite the completion of Bunge Towers to bridge the deficit in office accommodation for members of Parliament.

"With respect to the facilitation of members, the PSC is expediting the completion of the Bunge Tower in order to bridge the deficit in office accommodation for members.

Consequently, PSC has established that members' offices in the building will be ready for occupation by the end of this week," Wetang'ula said.

The move is, however, expected to be phased in as guided by a schedule of allocation prepared by the Clerk of the National Assembly.

Legislators from both the National Assembly and the Senate who have been operating from the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Harambee SACCO plaza, and Continental House ceded their space in the said premises and began relocating to the 28-story building.

There, 331 air-conditioned offices, committee rooms, an open garden floor, an ultra-modern restaurant, a health club and four basement parking floors with capacity to accommodate up to 350 vehicles awaited them.

Inside the building, MPs will also have access to an underground Sh150 million tunnel connecting the towers to the main Parliament buildings.

It is five meters wide and 120 meters long and was designed to keep the legislators away from the "unwanted" attention of their constituents, who often flock to Parliament premises seeking handouts.

Information relayed to Eastleigh Voice indicates that the tunnel is complete with a 24-hour lighting system, Wi-Fi internet coverage, a drainage system, and security personnel on guard.

Members who were accommodated at the KICC are expected to relocate to give room for high-level dignitaries attending the 2024 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, scheduled to run from May 27–31, 2024.

According to Speaker Wetang'ula, some of the dignitaries expected to occupy the 47 offices that the National Treasury requested Parliament for, are heads of state and governments.