-
The tender documents reveal that the county assembly specified that the head, neck, crest, shaft, and tail of the mace will all be 18-carat gold-plated.
-
The documents also highlight that the mace's weight will range from 10kg to 10.5kg, with a height of approximately 1.2 meters.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has criticised plans by the Nairobi county assembly to purchase a new mace worth millions.
According to the Annual Development Plan 2023-2024, it will cost taxpayers Sh30 million to acquire 18-carat gold-plated mace.
The MCA questioned why the county was prioritising the mace at the expense of other urgent development matters.
"It’s wrong for the Nairobi City County Assembly to buy a new Mace as if that’s the most urgent thing. There are many things which should be spent on. A mace shouldn’t be a priority," Alai said.
"I condemn this tender and call on Nairobians to resist this wanton wastage of funds."
The tender documents reveal that the county assembly specified that the head, neck, crest, shaft, and tail of the mace will all be 18-carat gold-plated.
The documents also highlight that the mace's weight will range from 10kg to 10.5kg, with a height of approximately 1.2 meters.
Its shaft is supposed to consist of six pieces, each crafted in brass and silver-plated.
The separation of these pieces will be marked by seven solid brass rings, plated in 18ct gold.
Going further, the tender document states that The Nairobi Expressway image will symbolize technological advancement, juxtaposed with the Kenyatta International Conference Centre representing architectural achievements, and Nairobi National Park embodying the natural environment.
Additionally, an image of Second World War memorial soldiers will signify national heritage and freedom, while the City Hall building will serve as a reference to devolution.
The tail of the mace will conclude with a solid brass foot plated in 18ct gold.
The upper base, crafted from solid brass with a brushed finish, will be plated in 999 fine silver. This part will feature inscriptions representing the 85 wards of Nairobi County.
“The successful bidder is required to produce a dummy mace, a replica of the original in aesthetics but not material content. The dummy mace should resemble the original in all standards and size, constructed of steel with golden coatings,” reads the tender document.
In addition to the mace, the county plans to procure a vault featuring nine separate lockable compartments, with a total weight of 500 kg.
The vault will be constructed using heavy-duty steel and lined with fire-resistant materials capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees centigrade for up to four hours.
The tender document emphasizes the importance of ensuring quality in the production process.
The successful bidder will need to facilitate the involvement of the procuring entity's (Assembly) user department and technical experts specializing in mining and the identification of precious stones to oversee the entire process, as outlined in the tender.
The ceremonial Mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal, wood or other materials, carried by a Mace-bearer or placed before a sovereign or other high officials; in civic ceremonies or before a revered gathering to symbolize authority.
The Mace enhances the richness of parliamentary tradition and symbolizes the authority of the legislature in which it is displayed and utilized.
In most Parliaments, no formal business can be transacted in the absence of the Mace.