By Lauryne Akoth
President Ruto officially opened Bunge Towers Today amidst controversies surrounding the building.
Three Parliamentary officers were interdicted yesterday by the Parliamentary Service Commission, after having been accused of leaking information about the substandard status, security, and safety concerns of the 9 billion Building.
The official opening had been postponed following the death of the Chief of Defence Forces General Ogolla to observe the three-day mourning period declared by the President.
Read More: Ruto Reschedules Opening Of Bunge Towers To Thursday Next Week
During his address at the event, Ruto emphasized that legislators currently have ample resources at their disposal, leaving them with no valid excuses for not fulfilling their duties. He underscored their constitutional obligation to serve the people of Kenya.
The idea for the 28-story building was conceived in 2019, aiming to provide office spaces for MPs and Senators, as well as accommodate the expanded Bicameral Parliament comprising 349 MPs and 67 Senators.
The design of the Bunge Tower was inspired by the Shield emblem of Parliament, as per the Parliamentary Service Commission.
With 331 dedicated offices for Members of Parliament from both Houses and 26 Committee rooms, the Bunge Tower aims to facilitate smooth committee meetings by providing advanced audio-visual and conference management systems.
Additionally, some committee rooms will be equipped with state-of-the-art video conference facilities for remote presentations.
The Tower also features the ultra-modern Parliament Library, equipped with an extensive collection of documents, reports, Standing Orders, books, Hansard, Sets of Laws of Kenya, Bills, Acts of Parliament, Auditor General Reports, and Policy papers.
Providing convenience for Members of Parliament and staff, the Tower comprises four basements, twenty-seven floors, 2 vehicular and pedestrian tunnels, and an access building in Main Parliament.
The basements offer parking, stores, and offices, totaling 350 parking slots. A pedestrian tunnel connects the Tower to the Main Parliament.
From the 6th to the 22nd floors, the building hosts 331 offices for Members. To cater to their dining needs, the Tower includes two restaurant spaces, a fully equipped kitchen, and a gym.
In line with the Parliamentary Service Commission’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the Bunge Tower incorporates a rainwater harvesting system with a capacity of 184,000 liters and solar water heating panels on the 27th floor.
For efficient movement within the Tower, six main lifts, one goods lift, and four lifts serving the committee room floors are provided, along with two lifts serving the Main Parliament access building and six escalators serving the ground floor up to the 3rd Floor.
The opening was attended by the president’s Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Defence CS Aden Duale, National Assembly and Senate Speakers Moses Wetang’ula and Amason Kingi, as well as a host of MPs and Senators.