Motorists were set to part with Sh400 per day up from Sh200 for parking space within the Central Business District/CFM/FILE – Mike Kariuki
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 4 – The High Court has suspended the enforcement of revised parking fees by the Nairobi County pending the hearing of a suit filed by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek).
Justice James Makau sitting in Nairobi on Wednesday said the new rates will remain suspended pending further directions by the court which is slated to convene on January 21 for a hearing.
While seeking the conservatory order, Cofek urged the Nairobi City County did not give motorists adequate time before effecting the changes, having issued a notice on revision of the rates on Monday.
Cofek also argued it was unfair that the public wasn’t notified when the Finance Act was enacted into law on September 25.
Appearing for Nairobi County Government Lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui had asked the court to decline the prayers being sought because the law enacted by the Nairobi City Assembly and not the executive.
He said the executive was merely enforcing a law enacted by the legislative assembly.
“You will be usurping the role of Nairobi County Assembly if you suspend the notice,” he cautioned.
Motorists were set to part with Sh400 per day up from Sh200 for parking space within the Central Business District.
The upward revision of the parking fees follows the enactment of the County Finance Act 2019 which introduced tax measures aimed at maximum the county’s revenue.
City Hall divided the parking areas into three zones, with the city center being Zone I.
Parking fees areas in Zone II covering areas outside the CBD including Westlands, Upper Hill, Community, Ngara, Milimani, Yaya Center, Industrial area, High ridge, Embakasi, Donholm, Umoja, Kayole, Gigiri, Allsops, Mwiki, Dagoretti, Lavington, Langata, Madaraka, Buruburu, Makadara, Muthaiga,South B,C , Hurligham, Nairobi West, Karen and Easleigh were retained at Sh200.
Buses will be charged Sh1,000 per day.
The parking fee will be Sh100 in all other commercial centres that are not categorized under Zone I and Zone II.
Owners of private vehicles were set to be charged Sh7,000 for a month-long seasonal parking ticket, Sh18,000 for three months, Sh32,000 for six months and Sh55,000 for one year, according to the new notice.
While reading the County’s budget estimates in July the then County Executive Committee Member for Finance Charles Kerich said the revision of charges was aimed at ensuring the County to achieve its revenue targets.
The County also said increasing the parking fees would ease congestion within the city center.
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