Reprieve for motorists as court halts parking fees hike

14-seater matatus. The High Court has stopped the Nairobi County government from enforcing new parking fees scheduled to take effect in November. FILE 

By Galgalo Fayo

In Summary

• Justice George Odunga Tuesday halted the increase of the fees pending hearing and determination of the suit which was filed by 26 public service operators.

Motorists have been spared an increase in parking fees after the High Court stopped the Nairobi County government from enforcing new rates scheduled to take effect next month.

Justice George Odunga Tuesday halted the increase of the fees pending hearing and determination of the suit which was filed by 26 public service operators.

The operators claimed that doubling of the parking fees from Sh140 to Sh300 is unconstitutional as none of the county residents were involved in the formulation or notified appropriately of its existence.

READ: Matatu owners in court to block new parking charges

Justice Odunga barred the Nairobi County government and its agents "from imposing charges levying or demanding from the petitioners or members of the public the daily parking fees of Sh300 or any sum exceeding the sum of Sh140 currently chargeable per motor vehicle per day.”

The County Finance Bill signed into law by Governor Evans Kidero increased parking fees alongside taxes and service charges.

The new law which was published on County Gazette, increased charges in nearly all service areas by margins of up to 100 per cent.

When the law comes into force, property owners will pay land rates at the rate of 34 per cent or double the current rate of 17 per cent.

But the petitioners said the County Gazette ran or operated by the county government does not exist, in which the notice of increase was said to have been published hence the notice violated the law.

If the court upholds this argument, the ruling may have effect not only on the parking fees but also to other charges as well.

Supermarkets with more than 100 employees and shop floors of more than 5001 square metres were hit hardest by the operating licence fee increment and are to pay Sh100,000 up from Sh60,000 to remain in business.

The city government also increased rents for all its residential property in a move set to shake up the finances of some of the poorest households in Nairobi.

The cost of commuter transport faces a major realignment after the city government increased the licence fee for operators across the board.

Mega transport companies with more than 50 vehicles are to pay Sh100,000 for operating licences up from Sh80,000 while single vehicle operators are to pay Sh15,000 a year instead of Sh10,000.

Parking fees for transporters with large parking lots capable of holding more than 100 vehicles have doubled to Sh100,000, a cost that the operators are expected to pass on to the commuters through increased charges.