The National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has warned Members of Parliament (MPs) who have been criticizing the new Bunge Towers building.
Wetangula said the MPs may soon be summoned by the Powers and Privileges Committee to explain their allegations.
“Those members who have been pouring vitrail on this project, in fact they find themselves before the powers and privileges committee. They are saying things without proof, things that are utterly untrue,” he said.
He defended the building stating that 58 MPs had moved to the building by Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
The Speaker said the building has been fitted with six high speed lifts similar to the ones installed in buildings in the United States (US).
The speaker also revealed that the offices are ready although furniture is still being assembled in a few of them.
According to Wetangula, the MPs should occupy the building as the government works to improve and modernize it.
“Even in your village, when you are starting a new home, you can move into your house before you complete putting your windows and ceilings, live in it and get it to be the modern house you want. We have a choice of leaving that building to be a white elephant or moving in it, working in it and making things work as we go along the way,” Wetangula said.
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MPs Question Bunge Towers Launch
President William Ruto is set to launch the building on Friday, April 19.
However, a section of the MPs opposed the decision to allow lawmakers occupy the Bunge Towers despite the negative reports on social media.
The MPs called for the postponement of the launch until the matters raised are addressed.
Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi said the media has raised the negative sides of the project adding that the MPs should address the reports.
Wandayi said confusion arises since the National Assembly is mandated to conduct oversight, yet its own project is facing controversies.
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“We have been treated to some fairly negative publicity about the Bunge Tower project. Infact, it is prominently covered in the media highlighting very many negative aspects of that project,” he said.
“We have the responsibility of oversighting all arms and agencies of government. When such negative publicity emerges on the initiation of such an expensive project, what do we do?”
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo urged the speaker to allow the public accounts committee to look into the allegations.
Construction of the Bunge Towers started in 2010 with an initial budget of Ksh5.89 billion.
However, the budget was later revised to Ksh7.1 billion before being pushed to Ksh9.6 billion.
