Shock of Sh400,000 per seat for Parliament

By Isaac Ongiri

Renovation works for Parliament Building have stalled following differences between the House commission and the Ministry of Public Works over the cost of 360 seats.

The ministry had approved a bill of quantities that put the cost of each retractable chamber seat at Sh400,000, bringing the total to Sh144 million.

The expanded Chamber and its facilities are anticipated to cost the Exchequer Sh922 million.

The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) cancelled the tender to procure the 360 leather seats following suspicion that the cost had been inflated, a move that will lead to a delay in completion and handover that was due in June.

A model of the new Parliament Building.

Inside sources told The Standard On Saturday that individuals with vested interests had pushed for the tender to be awarded to two European furniture manufacturers, a move that exploded after some PSC and tender committee technical members raised eye-brows.

The delay in the renovation was among issues presented to the House by Gwassi MP John Mbadi, who also accused some PSC members of corruption, nepotism and incompetence.

Mbadi further accused the commission of varying the construction contract for a new office block from Sh5.8 billion to Sh6.5 billion, irregular tendering, recruitment, unfair remuneration and staff promotions.

Investigations by The Standard On Saturday revealed that MPs and members of the PSC were now pointing fingers at a particular individual whom they accused of seeking kickbacks from suppliers and engaging in questionable conduct.

On Friday, National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende explained that the commission had faced some challenges in the procurement of the special seats for MPs, thus delaying the contractor’s previous timelines.

"We cancelled that tender after we faced challenges in the procurement. Now we are looking towards the Prisons Service to deliver the same for us," Marende said.

The Speaker said the commission, which he chairs, had met experts from the Prisons Service who evaluated samples for production of the quality of seats.

He said the cost was expected to come down drastically and save the House millions.

The Speaker, however, explained that the contractor had completed most of the renovation works as specified in the scope of work, leaving only the furniture fittings and electronic installations.

Mr Olago-Aluoch, the Kisumu Town West MP who is also a PSC member, said the project was delayed in the quest to ensure there was value for tax-payers’ money.

"We realised that the value quoted was mischievous and there was no guarantee for quality so we decided to cancel the tender. But we have noticed that some propaganda is being peddled over the delay," Olago said.

His Kigumo counterpart, Mr Jamleck Kamau, said the commission had been unhappy with the quality of the seats as presented by the European firm.

Leather seats

"We wanted leather seats but the two companies competing for the tender had presented samples that were not leather, so we cancelled," said Kama, adding that the quotation was indeed the going price.

MPs have put the commission in focus with allegations of corruption, even as it emerged that Mbadi – who had forwarded a Motion on the same to the Speaker’s Chamber for approval – has been under pressure to withdraw it. Opposing MPs have questioned the Motion, which they say was a carrier of complex constitutional questions should it be adopted.

Mbadi has targeted MPs Mr Chris Okemo (Nambale), Mr Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis), Mr Peter Mwathi (Limuru), Mr Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi), Olago and Jamleck for removal from the commission.

But some members have argued that it would be difficult to isolate the Speaker from the PSC crisis as he was the chairman.