Parliament’s new towers, built at a cost of Ksh8 billion, are complete and ready for use. The structure will house the offices of all 280 members of parliament, as stated by Moses Wetangula, the speaker of the national assembly.
The New Parliament’s Interieur
In terms of height, the new Parliament peaks in at a whopping 125 meters, making it easily one of the largest structures in Kenya. It is situated adjacent to the parliamentary buildings, between Continental House and County Hall. In 2000, the government designated the primary parcel of land for Parliament. In March of 2014, during President Uhuru’s administration, construction began.
The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) designed the project, and the China Jiangxi Construction Company carried it out, spending a total of Ksh8 billion on it. Originally scheduled for occupancy in January 2018, the building’s completion date has been pushed back to August 23, 2020.
The Auditor General has expressed his or her confusion as to why the project is still unfinished after billions of shillings have been spent by the public. There are 331 offices, most of which will be used by Members of Parliament, and 26 committee meeting rooms for use by various committees. Members of the House of Representatives can leave their cars in one of the four underground parking levels, which are monitored around the clock by CCTV cameras. It’s connected to the existing parliament through a massive tunnel.
Finalization of Construction
The new Parliament Towers building was officially opened for use on November 1, 2022, as announced by Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula. Wetangula informed the chamber that 280 of the new tower’s 331 offices would be allocated to the National Assembly. He gave incoming National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge instructions to begin assigning posts on November 7th, 2022.
Unfortunately, about 63 members of this house will not be able to be accommodated in the new office block, but I have directed the Clerk to prepare the schedule of the sharing of the 280 offices being equitable share of the apportioned to the National Assembly so that MPs can move in as soon as the building is handed over. I have instructed the clerk to begin the allocation process on Monday, November 7, 2022, after the election of committee chairpersons and vice chairpersons is finalized on Friday, November 4.
Office Assignment
With a total of 416 members, the bicameral house is too large to accommodate all of its members in the new building. The Speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Whip, Whip-in-Chief, and Deputy Whips will be given priority in the distribution of House leadership positions. The second set will consist of panelists like the department chairs and vice chairs, as well as speakers like yourself.
Finally, members of the House who have served for multiple terms and those who are disabled will be given preference. On November 9th, 2022, the surviving first-term lawmakers will vote to determine where they will work during the next legislative session.
But Wetangula reassured them that they would be given offices in other existing parliament buildings rather than a spot in the new one.
