House team okays PM's office renovation

A parliamentary committee has toured the new Prime Minister’s office and concluded that it was satisfied with the Sh329 million renovation approved by the House.

The National Security and Administration committee visited the renovated building Thursday to assess the quality of the works done after concern was raised that money may not have been put to proper use.

After the visit, however, the team of MPs led by the committee vice chairman Mr Peter Kiilu (Makueni) said they were convinced it was value for money.

The Shell/BP House building was purchased by the Government at Sh700 million to house the PM’s office.

Parliament approved Sh329 million for the refurbishment works and the offices were ready for occupation last month.

The parliamentary team was taken round the renovated building by the architects and engineers handling the project and the PM's Permanent Secretary Mohammed Isahakia.

The Prime Minister’s office is on the second floor of the building, tastefully furnished and complete with a lounge. There is also a press centre on the seventh floor.

The architects moved away from the traditional red carpet that dons many offices of VIPs in Government and instead settled for a lightly flowered green carpet.

The PM’s office, however, is fitted with a white carpet.

The third and fifth floors of the building are yet to be vacated by tenants who have leases that are expected to expire in a year’s time. They are GIBB Africa and Space Image companies.

The Inspectorate of State Corporations, the Efficiency Monitoring Unit and the Performance Contracting Department, which fall under the PM’s office are also expected to move to the new building.

Mr Kiilu said the committee was happy that the improvements had reflected a government moving towards creating modern working areas, citing the open glass offices for most of the staff, meant to encourage transparency.

Present were the chief engineer Joseph Nduti Ngugi, the chief architect Gideon Murungi and MPs Raphael Letimalo (Samburu East), Pollyns Ochieng (Nyakach), Cyprian Omollo (Uriri) and nominated MP Maison Leishomo.

Dr Isahakia said the new building will help in public service reforms by cutting down on rent demands from some ministries as it would be able to accommodate some.

The Ministries of Planning, Public Service and Northern Development are some that are likely to be housed at the building.