Members of Parliament (MPs) will from today (Thursday, April 11) start occupying the multi-billion shillings office block – Bunge Towers.

At least 42 MPs are set to move into the new offices, ending more than a decade of waiting.

This relocation to the 28-storey building will be done in two phases, to allow for a seamless transition.

“Phase one will involve moving members from KICC to the Tower or other alternative accommodation. This will commence on Thursday 11th April 2024,” National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula says.

According to Speaker Wetangula, the MPs being moved from KICC will free up spaces that will be used to accommodate the 2024 African Development Bank Group annual meeting.

“To accord the delegates appropriate facilitation, the National Treasury has requested Parliament to release 47 offices at KICC to accommodate the dignitaries.”

Phase two of the exercise — set to commence on July 1, 2024 — will see MPs currently having their offices at Continental House relocated to Bunge Towers.

Underground tunnel

The 125-meter-high KSh9.26 billion complex that boasts 338 offices sits adjacent to Parliament Buildings 338 offices.

An underground tunnel links the new offices to Parliament buildings for the MPs’ security.

The KSh150 million tunnel lies beneath the section of Harambee Avenue that stretches from Parliament Road and Uhuru Highway.

The five-metre-wide, 120-metre-long tunnel provides the lawmakers the comfort of accessing their offices and Parliament without any disturbances.

The tunnel is partitioned into two – vehicular and pedestrian. It links the main Parliament building to the complex’s basement.