Aug 07, 2012 at 5:13pm

Kenya's newly refurbished parliament, which has been dogged by criticism over the cost of chairs for MPs, has been opened by President Mwai Kibaki.

Costing about $3,000 (£1,900) each, the 350 red chairs were made by the country's prisons department.

The original tender was given to a company outside the country but was cancelled when some MPs discovered that each chair would cost $5,000.

Officials say the $12m renovation brings parliament into the digital age.

"The changes we are making are going to input positively in governance," parliamentary speaker Kenneth Marende told the BBC.

He said electronic voting would let MPs vote according to their conscience rather than be forced to vote in a certain way by party whips.

"Now the member will be completely on his own, he will be independent, he will make up his mind and just press a button."


Source: BBC