Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Masika Wetang'ula has called off the scheduled opening of the Bunge Towers.
Wetang'ula issued a last-minute decision late on Thursday, April 18 stating the much-awaited opening of the new building has been rescheduled.
Bunge Towers was to be opened on Friday, April 19 by President William Ruto. However, following the untimely death of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla in a chopper crash the grand opening has been rescheduled.
Speaker Wetang'ula, who also chairs the Parliamentary Service Commission, now says the Bunge Tower will be opened on Thursday, April 25, beginning at 9 am.
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“As you are aware, tomorrow, Friday, April 24, 2024, President William Ruto was scheduled to officially open the Bunge Tower. However, this evening, in his address to the Nation, His Excellency the President announced the unfortunate and untimely demise of General Francis Ogolla, the CDF, who died in a helicopter crash alongside nine other gallant officers this afternoon,” Wetangula stated in a letter to MPs," the statement read in part.
“Following the tragic event, the President has announced three days of national mourning. In view of the foregoing, this is to notify you that the official opening Ceremony of the Bunge Tower that was scheduled to take place tomorrow has been postponed.”
“The official opening ceremony has been rescheduled and shall now be held next week, Thursday, 25th April 2024 from 9.00 am," he added.
The postponement follows President Ruto's declaration of three days of mourning for the fallen soldiers.
The construction of Bunge Towers started in 2010 with an initial budget of Ksh5.89 billion. Later, it was revised to Ksh7.1 billion before being pushed to Ksh9.6 billion.
After 14 years of waiting, MPs were set to start occupying the tower despite opposition from some quarters.
