National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangúla has said Bunge Towers, the ultra-modern office block built for MPs, is not yet ready for occupation.
Addressing a National Assembly leadership retreat in Mombasa on Tuesday, the Speaker nonetheless pointed out that there is a sense of urgency to occupy the new building.
Wetangúla clarified that the building would remain a construction site until the contractor officially approves its readiness for use.
“I assure members that you will soon have the privilege of occupying the new facility once it receives the necessary clearance,” he stated.
The Speaker disclosed that some parties had requested to occupy the finished spaces, but he declined the requests.
The office block which was built on an acre of land adjacent to Continental House and County Hall cost the Kenyan taxpayers a whopping Sh8 billion.
Out of the 331 offices in the building, 280 will go to the National Assembly while 51 are preserved for the Senate.
Priority will be given to Majority and Minority House leaders, deputy whips, members of the Speakers’ Panel, committee chairpersons and their deputies.
The building was commissioned 10 years ago but dragged back and forth due to a number of challenges.
Some 60 Members of Parliament may not be lucky enough to secure offices in Bunge Tower.
The 28-storey building boasts 26 committee meeting rooms and only has the capacity to host 331 MPs.