Sonko halves Sh400 parking fee to ease burden on motorists

A taxi driver stands beside his clamped car on Kimathi Street in Nairobi County on January 28, 2016. Governor Mike Sonko has announcing the halving of parking fees from Sh400. PHOTO | JAMES EKWAM | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Governor Sonko confirmed on Tuesday that the county Treasury has factored in a reduced daily fee of Sh200.
  • In October, City Hall proposed an increase to Sh400 in the finance bill that is currently with the county assembly.
  • The administration will review the fees in future after the completion of projects to reduce congestion in the central business district.

Motorists in Nairobi County are set to enjoy reduced parking fees from December following a promise by Governor Mike Sonko.

Governor Sonko confirmed on Tuesday that the county Treasury has factored in a reduced daily fee of Sh200.

BURDEN

In October, City Hall proposed an increase to Sh400 in the finance bill that is currently with the county assembly.

“After consultations with various stakeholders, including ward representatives, we have agreed to slash the parking fees in order not to overburden motorists,” Governor Sonko said.

He, however, noted that his administration will review the fees in future after the completion of projects to reduce congestion in the central business district.

“I know that this (reducing the fees) will increase congestion in the city centre but then again, we cannot punish Nairobi residents because projects such as the bus rapid transport system and construction of bus termini outside the CBD are ongoing,” he said.

Currently, car owners pay Sh300 per day, following an increase from Sh140 in 2013 by former Governor Evans Kidero’s administration.

DEBATE

The bill was noted debated on Tuesday as it was not allocated time so Budget committee chairman Robert Mbatia requested a one-week extension.

The Kariobangi South member of county assembly (MCA) explained that they received the revised version too to permit scrutiny, public participation and passing.

This is the second time in less than two months that the ward representatives have sought additional time to debate the bill, which if passed into law will authorise the county to collect taxes.

“We had an adjournment motion last Thursday so there was no business this week because of the blue economy conference," Mr Mbatia said.

“We are still within the law (PFM Act) which allows extensions. We will now table and debate the bill on December 4."

PROCESS

According to a document, which some members of the committee term the Final People’s Finance Bill, MCAs have made changes to original documents presented to them by the Treasury for consideration.

The bill was to be passed on September 30 as stipulated in law but the house got an extension to November 27.

This followed Governor Sonko’s June 30 signing of the Nairobi City County Appropriations Act, which authorised the county to spend Sh34 billion.

This meant that the finance bill had to be debated and approved by September 30.

According to the Public Finance Management Act, a finance bill should be passed 90 days after the enactment of the appropriations law.