PARKING SIGNAGE | PHOTO COURTESY: ABS SIGNS
Nairobi drivers are set to face higher expenses for parking fees following the publication of a new date for their enforcement by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. In a Gazette Notice issued on Friday, September 8, all vehicle owners have a 14-day window to adjust to the revised rates, which will become effective on Friday, September 2022.
NAIROBI GOVERNOR JOHNSON SAKAJA | PHOTO COURTESY: PARLIAMENT OF KENYA
According to the Gazette Notice, individuals with standard sedans will now be required to pay Ksh300 for parking in on-street zones across the city, marking an increase from the previous rate of Ksh200. Meanwhile, vans and pickups will see their daily parking fee rise to Ksh500, up from Ksh200, while lorries and minibuses weighing over 5 tonnes will be charged Ksh1,000.
The notice further states, “This Act may be referred to as the Nairobi City County Finance Act, 2023, and will take effect 14 days after its publication in the Kenya Gazette.”
For trucks weighing above 5 tonnes, their fees will be raised from Ksh1,000 to Ksh3,000, and non-digital taxis will now incur a monthly parking charge of Ksh5,000. Trailers will also witness a Ksh500 increase from their previous daily parking fee of Ksh3,000.
All these revised charges will apply to Zone I parking areas, which encompass locations like Nairobi CBD, Kijabe Street, Westlands, Upper Hill, Community, Ngara, Highridge, Industrial Area, Gigiri, Kilimani, Yaya Center, Milimani, Hurlingham, Lavington, Karen, Eastleigh, Muthaiga, Gikomba, and Nairobi West.
This development follows protests by motorists two months earlier against the parking fee hikes, as many Kenyans were already grappling with the high cost of living, and some relied on their vehicles for their livelihoods. Peter Murima, Chairman of the Kenya Motorists Association (KMA), expressed dissatisfaction with the increased fees, highlighting the lack of public participation in the decision-making process and limited access to authorities for grievances.
However, there is temporary relief for Kenyan drivers, as parking around mosques on Fridays between 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm, as well as on all Saturdays around churches, will be free. Additionally, parking on Sundays and public holidays will also remain free of charge. Previously, motorists paid Ksh200 for Zone 1 and Ksh100 for Zone 2 parking.