Parliament of Kenya is stepping into the future with the opening of Bunge Tower  today, Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Conceived middle of 2009, Bunge Tower is the culmination of the Parliamentary Service Commission's (PSC) vision to modernize Parliament by addressing office space limitations and to accommodate the increased Bicameral Parliament of 349 Members of the National Assembly and 67 Members of the Senate.

The Bunge Tower’s architectural design was inspired by the Shield emblem of Parliament. The shield, with its intricate design, has been a symbol of protection and unity for centuries in Kenyan culture. It represents strength, resilience, and the collective identity of diverse communities coming together under one banner for the greater good.

Inscribed with a motto that resonates with the ethos of the Kenyan people— "The Welfare of the Society and Just Government of the People"— the emblem of the Parliament of Kenya is more than just an emblem; it is a beacon of hope, a reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to those who govern, and a promise to safeguard the interests of the nation.

The Bunge Tower boasts of 331 dedicated offices for Members of both Houses Parliament and 26 Committee rooms.

To facilitate smooth running of committee meetings, the 26 Committee rooms are hosted on the first, second, third and fifth floors all fitted with advanced audio visual and conference management systems. In addition, four committee rooms will be fitted with cutting edge video conference facilities to enable remote presentation of evidence to Committees.

The first floor houses the ultra-modern Parliament Library which was established in 1910. The library is equipped with a vast collection of 50,000 documents, reports, Standing Orders, books, Hansard, Sets of Laws of Kenya, Bills, Acts of Parliament, Auditor General Reports and Policy papers.

Equipped with the latest reprographic machines the Parliament Library provides real-time access to parliamentary information and a varied collection of e-journals, ensuring legislators have the resources they need to make informed decisions.

The building also provides other facilities for Members of Parliament and staff in what will ease their discharge of duties. The office block building comprises four basements, twenty-seven floors, 2 vehicular and pedestrian tunnels and an access building in Main Parliament.

The first, second and third basements have the parking, stores and offices. The Tower provides a total of 350 parking slots. The pedestrian tunnel will link the building to the Main Parliament.

The 6^th to 22^nd floors of the building will host 331 offices for Members.

To cater for the meals of the members of parliament and staff, Bunge Tower has designated two restaurant spaces and a fully equipped kitchen. The Tower also has a gym.

To comply with the Parliamentary Service Commission’s commitment to embrace Green Compliant Parliament, the Bunge Tower incorporates a rainwater harvesting system with a 184,000 litres capacity, alongside solar water heating panels on the 27^th floor.

For ease of movement six main lifts have been put in place to serve the Tower, one goods lift, four lifts serving the committee room floors and two lifts serving the Main Parliament access building and 6 escalators serving ground floor up to 3^rd Floor.

In addition, there is a provision for vehicular and pedestrian secure tunnels linking the building to Main Parliament.

To address the needs of people with disabilities, the building has put in place wheelchair ramps at the access points to facilitate movement of people with disabilities.

The unveiling of the Tower comes with a lot of excitement from parliamentarians and staff.

The Clerk of the Senate and Secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission, Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye, noted that the Completion of Bunge Tower will help ease a lot of pressure that was emanating from Members of Parliament and staff due to inadequate space.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Samuel Njoroge praised the successful completion and furnishing of the iconic Bunge Tower. He indicated that finally, the day had come and the Tower was complete adding that Members and staff were looking forward to occupying the offices.

On his part the Director General of the Parliamentary Joint Services, Mr. Clement Nyandiere, pointed out that the Tower reflects the resilience of the Kenyan people, while the soaring heights signify the nation’s aspirations reaching towards a brighter future as signified by the design of the building which is picked from the National emblem (shield).

 With the launch of the Bunge Tower, comes relief the Parliamentary Service Commission’s desire to provide adequate and decent office accommodation for Members of Parliament.