In the forthcoming year, Nairobi residents are set to face a substantial increase in their financial commitments to the county government if a new bill is passed.
The Nairobi City County Finance Bill 2023 contains provisions for higher fees, charges, levies, and penalties across various aspects of the city’s infrastructure, affecting transportation and public markets alike.
Among the proposed changes are significant alterations to parking fees, impacting both daily and long-term parkers in Zone I and Zone II.
Zone I, which includes prime areas like the Central Business District (CBD), Westlands, and Kilimani, will see a notable increase in daily parking fees for various vehicle types.
For instance, saloon cars will be required to pay Sh300, up from Sh200, while vans/pickups will face a hike from Sh200 to Sh500. Lorry and minibus fees for those weighing up to 5 tons will double from Sh1,000 to Sh2,000, with larger lorries seeing their rates increase to Sh3,000.
Non-PSV buses will maintain their current fee of Sh1,000, while trailer owners will experience an increment from Sh3,000 to Sh3,500. Conversely, Zone II will witness reductions in parking fees, providing some relief for residents.
The bill also introduces monthly parking fees for non-digital taxis, set at Sh3,000.
Additionally, private seasonal on-street parking fees will be tiered, with lorries up to 5 tons facing charges of Sh12,500 for one month and trailers paying Sh75,000 for the same period. Non-PSV buses will pay Sh25,000 per month, while tuk-tuk operators will contribute Sh2,000 each month.
Motorbike and scooter owners parking outside the CBD will incur fees of Sh1,000 per month, with decreasing rates for longer-term commitments. Loading and offloading zones will be charged an annual fee of Sh250,000.
Reserved parking for private use within the same square meter will rise to Sh275,000 annually and Sh1,000 per day.
The display of motor vehicles for sale on road reserves per square meter will incur higher annual fees, increasing from Sh10,000 to KSh15,000, along with monthly and daily charges.
Moreover, certain parking fees around Mosques in both Zone I and Zone II will be waived during specific times on Fridays.
For churches, Saturday parking will be free for those in Zone I and Zone II, with Sundays and public holidays exempt from parking fees in both zones.
In addition to parking, the bill also adjusts rental fees for traders in Nairobi’s bustling City Market, Kenyatta Market, and Muthurwa Market, impacting a wide range of businesses from large stalls to hotels and butcheries. Dagoretti relocation site along Ngong Road will also see increased fees for traders.
These proposed changes are part of the county government’s efforts to boost revenue and fund essential services and projects.
If passed, they are likely to have a significant impact on the finances of Nairobi’s residents and businesses.
