The Nairobi County Assembly is facing backlash for its intention to spend Sh30 million on acquiring a new modern mace and a security vault.
Tender documents obtained by the Nairobi Law Monthly reveal that the assembly is set to purchase an 18-carat gold-plated mace, drawing sharp public scrutiny.
The official tender notice issued by the Nairobi City County Assembly Service Board outlines the procurement objectives, stating, “proposed construction of an armory, and acquisition of the state-of-the-art mace and security vaults for the Nairobi City County Assembly.”
The mace, according to specifications, will weigh between 10kg to 10.5kg, standing at approximately 1.2 meters. Notably, all components—head, neck, crest, shaft, and tail—will be adorned with 18-carat gold plating.
Adding a symbolic touch, the mace will feature an image of the Nairobi Expressway, meant to represent technological advancement.
The tender document mandates the successful bidder to produce a dummy mace, constructed of steel with golden coatings, replicating the original in aesthetics but not material content.
The assembly’s ambitious plan extends to the procurement of a security vault, encompassing nine lockable compartments. Weighing 500 kg, the vault will be constructed with heavy-duty steel and lined with fire-resistant materials, capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Celsius for up to four hours.
Despite these grand plans, the proposal has encountered resistance from several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), branding it a misuse of public funds.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai voiced his disapproval, stating, “A mace shouldn’t be a priority. I condemn this tender and call on Nairobians to resist this wanton wastage of funds.”
The controversy surrounding this extravagant expenditure raises questions about the priorities of the county assembly and the allocation of public funds in a time when fiscal responsibility is paramount.
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