Stretcher can't fit in Bunge Tower lifts - Omtatah

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has raised concerns about architectural defects of Bunge Tower, which he says would put the lives of members of parliament at risk in the event of an emergency.

The Sh9 billion Bunge Tower is the brainchild of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) to provide sufficient office space for MPs in both the Senate and the National Assembly.

Speaking on the floor of the House on Tuesday, Omtatah said it's unfortunate that the Senate lacks an emergency wing, but even worse, were an emergency to occur, first responders would be unable to evacuate casualties.

"I want to raise a matter of great concern to the Senate in terms of emergency preparedness. Today I just learned that we are sitting ducks. should an emergency happen where you need an intervention from a medic, I just learnt that the Senate does not have an emergency department (in) both Parliaments" he said.

The senator said even basic first aid kits are lacking in both Houses requiring intervention from St John Ambulance during emergency.

"It also occurred to me that Bunge Tower, as high as it is does not have a lift where a stretcher can fit," Omtatah said.

He made reference to an emergency incident in the Senate Tuesday morning, saying it should serve as an eye-opener for appropriate contingency measures.

"We are only lucky that the emergency we had happened on the first floor so we were able to carry the victim using a stretcher by the staircase. Imagine if it had happened on the top of that building, what would have happened?" he posed.

Omtatah said it's high time someone was held to account, as the building cannot continue staying in that state.

"When I leave my office I have to go look for a shoeshiner because the carpet gets off and gets on my shoes. It's very sad, whoever designed this building needs to be arrested and locked away."

Omtatah spoke during debate on proposed amendments on the Coffee Bill. 

Speaker Amason Kingi acknowledged that the matter the senator was raising was weighty and required further dissection but advised him to stick to the matters at hand.

"I will give you an opportunity maybe later on to ventilate on the very important matter you are raising," Kingi said.

On June 25, 2024, lawmakers had to take refuge in the Bunge Tower basement parking after Gen Z protesters, irked by the passage of the now impugned Finance Bill, 2024, breached security protocol and invade Parliament in a show of annoyance that MPs passed the controversial Bill with minimal amendments despite widespread calls for its total withdrawal.

Citing concurrence with the people's desires, President William Ruto withdrew the bill the following day.