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National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula calls those against Bunge Towers as idlers

Wetangula asserted that African culture allows owner of the house to occupy before completing everything

This comes barely few weeks after local channel exposed Chinese Jiangx International Company constructing the building over corruption issues

National Assembly Speaker Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula has defended status and condition of the ultra-modern Bunge Tower building, urging parliamentarians to dismiss the claims made by certain individuals, whom he has labeled as ‘rejectionist philosophers,’ found on the streets of Nairobi City.

He accuses them of attempting to tarnish Parliament’s reputation regarding the state of occupancy of Bunge Tower.

In his address to the House on Wednesday, Speaker Wetang’ula refuted widely publicized assertions in sections of the media that Bunge Towers, the 28-floor office block for members of the National Assembly and the Senate, was not yet ready for use.

He asserted that the building is indeed prepared for occupation, dismissing claims to the contrary from some members of both houses as baseless and untrue.

The official opening of the Bunge Tower is set for Friday this week in an event to be presided over by President William Ruto.

President Ruto is scheduled to officially open the building for use by the members of the National Assembly and the Senate.

According to Speaker Wetang’ula, the building has been deemed fit for occupancy, after being certified and given a clean bill of health.

“The members who are raising concerns like the one (Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei) saying that the lifts are not working.

I want to assure the House that all six high-speed lifts are operational, functioning as efficiently as those found in buildings in Manhattan, USA,” said Speaker Wetang’ula.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the offices are fully furnished and prepared for use, with only minor finishing touches remaining.

Speaker Wetang’ula cautioned members who have been critical of the process, warning them that they may face the powers and privileges committee of the House.

“Some of these individuals are making unsubstantiated claims that are entirely untrue. The contractor of the building does not owe Senator Cherargei any duty to show him the completion certificate or another document for that matter.” he stated firmly.

Regarding amenities, he noted that while final preparations are underway in the offices, the gym is being equipped for members’ use, and arrangements are being made for the transition from the gym in the Continental House to the new facility.

The Speaker Wetang’ula announced the readiness of the kitchen and modern dining facilities, revealing that the commission had opted to outsource their management, among other services.

Meanwhile, the Speaker Wetang’ula announced that the kitchen and the modern dining is ready; revealing that the commission had decided to outsource the management of the kitchen and many other things.

Using an analogy of constructing a new house in the village, he explained that one can occupy a house even before completing tasks like installing windows, ceiling, and furnishing it, gradually transforming it into a modern, desirable home.

“We face a clear choice between allowing this building to become a mere symbol of neglect or moving in, utilizing it, and addressing challenges as they arise,” he emphasized.

“In any case, if additional funds are required to further enhance the building, it will be presented to this house for appropriation. It’s within your purview to allocate resources to improve the functionality of the building,” he noted.

He cautioned parliamentarians against aligning themselves with naysayers who consistently question whether anything positive can originate from a particular source, akin to the proverbial skepticism towards Nazareth.“Let’s not join rejectionist philosophers on the streets of Nairobi.

Who will always say can anything good come from Nazareth on anything and everything,” he stated.Wetang’ula assured legislators that Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), which he chairs, has set up a digital library that in its bank will have repository of all books across the world.

“I want to assure you members, even the library we have set up for you is a digital library. You will go to that library and that access any book on Earth. If you want to read about anybody you will find the books on the Digital Library.” Wetang’ula said.

On the allocation of the over 350 parking lot available in basement one all through to level 4, the speaker announced that each will be allocated personal parking.

“Those of you who want to walk straight from your offices to this chamber. There is a connecting tunnel from the building to this chamber. You will cross under Harambee Avenue into the chamber to do your work without being rained on without an inconvenience,” he held.

He urged MPs to dismiss the skepticism echoing through the streets of Nairobi and embrace the amenities that taxpayers have contributed to providing for Parliament.

In the meantime, MPs have commended the Speaker Wetang’ula for finalizing the House’s construction, enabling members of the 13th Parliament to take occupancy—a feat they noted was not accomplished by their predecessors.

“Those of us who were elected in the 12th we were told that we will be joining and actually entering that building in the next four months. I’m telling you Honourable speaker and this house; that the four months ended, and we finished the entire time without going to that house,” lamented Emuhaya MP Hon. Omboko Milemba.

“I commend your efforts, Mr. Speaker, for ensuring that members of the 13th Parliament can experience the House. Otherwise, we might have found ourselves in the same predicament as the 12th Parliament, where we completed our term without setting foot in that building,” Milemba added.

Saku MP Hon. Dido Raso said he is excited to have been allocated an office at the Bunge Tower saying as MPs serving their third time, they had waited for the building to be completed for too long.

Col (Rtd) Dido Ali Raso expressed his excitement at being assigned an office in the Bunge Tower, emphasizing the prolonged wait endured by MPs serving their third term for the building’s completion.

“Those of us who still occupy our offices in continental House, we share a very small room with our secretaries and all our visitors and when we were told that building is ready for occupation, we celebrated,” said Raso.

He criticized individuals airing parliamentary issues in the media, emphasizing that Parliament upholds traditions and customs.

He urged them to address concerns internally, either by writing to the Speaker or convening a Kamukunji session for discussion among members.