Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has raised serious concerns about the newly built Bunge Towers, which reportedly cost billions of Kenyan shillings.
Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, he noted that the building already shows visible cracks, despite being recently completed.
The senator questioned the quality of materials used during its construction and called for an investigation to determine whether substandard cement was involved.
Omtatah compared the condition of Bunge Towers to the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC), which has stood for decades without any visible structural issues.
He emphasized that such a situation raises questions about the quality control measures in Kenya’s construction industry.
"How can a new building have cracks while older structures like the KICC remain intact? We need answers," he stated.
The senator further insisted that investigations are necessary to ensure the cement and other materials used in construction projects meet approved standards.
He pointed out that substandard materials not only waste public resources but also pose significant safety risks to the public.
"We must ensure that when people buy cement or other materials, they are getting certified products that are safe for modern construction," he added.
The concerns about Bunge Towers follow earlier complaints about China Jiangxi International Company, the firm behind its construction.
This company has been linked to other controversial projects in Kenya.
For instance, the Hazina Towers project, which was supposed to have 36 floors, was reduced to 15 floors but still received full payment.
Additionally, lawmakers have raised questions about the company’s ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, including luxury apartments in Nairobi and Mombasa, while working on government contracts.
The Public Investments Committee, led by MPs Emmanuel Wangwe and Caleb Amisi, previously investigated the company’s track record.
The committee expressed concerns about the quality of its work and its commitment to delivering value for money in government projects.
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