Salaries commission extends head office search beyond Upper Hill

Market News

Tuesday, January 8, 2019 20:25

By JAMES KARIUKI

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has expanded the search for its headquarters beyond Nairobi’s Upper Hill and Community areas as the cost of hosting government agencies escalates.

The SRC said it is looking for a four-floor property providing at least 34,000 square feet of space that boasts adequate natural lighting and ventilation where the floors follow one another.

“SRC intends to lease office space somewhere within Upper Hill , Community, Kilimani, Yaya, Westlands, Nairobi CBD or Lavington,” said the commission’s notice posted in the dailies yesterday.

Mid-last year it had expressed interest in leasing space in only two locations.

Bidders, said SRC, must have dropped their application in the tender box by January 22 and have an opportunity to witness opening of the tenders on the same day at SRC’s Williamson House, 4th Ngong Avenue offices.

The search comes months after the National Police Service Commission(NPSC) said it had identified Upper Hilll as the preferred location for its offices.

The NPSC said it was also looking for an ‘exclusive’ aka ‘single tenant’ premises to house its secretariat, preferably within Kilimani or Upper Hill. It should have parking bays for between 75 and 100 motor vehicles.

“A suitable premises for NPSC headquarters should be within a 10 kilometre radius from Nairobi CBD, easy to secure and be easily accessible and not more than 100-150 metres from the main road. It should be easily accessible via public transportation,” said the notice.

The NPSC, is currently housed at Skypark Plaza, in Westlands.

According to realtors, the cost of leasing office space in prime locations within Nairobi ranges between Sh120 to Sh250 per square feet depending on the amenities on site as well as value-adds such as air-conditioning, internet connectivity, CCTV, underground parking, exclusive lifts, backup power generators, natural lighting and ventilation as well as 24/7 security.