Sonko finally reduces parking fees to Sh200

Motorists in Nairobi will now have an extra Ksh 100 to spare after Governor Mike Sonko issued a directive that parking fees be reduced to 200 shillings from the previous Ksh 300. Sonko noted that the reduction of the fees was in line with his manifesto.

The county’s parking service director, Tom Tinega, through the ICT Director liased with JamboPay, the firm contracted to digitise all City Hall revenue streams, including parking, to ensure the levy is configured into the system.

The Nairobi Count Finance Act 2018, which reduced the parking fee was passed and gazetted on December 20, 2018 but was yet to be implemented. Mr Tinega defended the county, saying the Government Printer took too long to avail the document that was needed for the online payments company to be instructed.

Governor Sonko asked motorists to pay the parking fees through the electronic payment service.

“I’m calling on all Nairobi motorists to pay the daily parking fees through our systems and avoid middlemen who deny the county government the much needed revenue,” he said.

Despite the law, parking attendants and the electronic payment service platform, ejijiPAY, were still charging motorists Ksh 300.

The governor also abolished the Ksh 50 that estate traders were made to pay the county.

“I’m happy that mama mbogas in city estates will now do business without paying any levy. Traders in county markets will continue to pay. I hope this will help ease burden on our small scale traders,” Sonko said.

The reduction of the parking fee was welcomed by motorists  but some opined it would lead to congestion in the CBD and encourage underhand dealings by parking attendants who prey on desperate people seeking space.