Cofek Sues City Hall Over ‘Unreasonable’ Hiked Parking Fee

The Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has moved to court seeking orders to stop the implementation of the hiked parking fee in Nairobi County.

In a public notice on Monday, City Hall Director of Parking Service Tom Tinega stated that parking fee in the Central Business District (CBD) and Kijabe street had been doubled from Ksh200 to Ksh400.

In the new changes that take effect on Wednesday, buses will be required to pay Ksh1, 000 as daily parking fee.

Cofek, represented by city lawyer Henry Karauka, says the move by Nairobi County Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko is unconstitutional as proper public participation was not conducted before hiking the fee.

The decision, Cofek says, will adversely affect commuters, currently dealing with harsh economic times.

Read: Parking Fees In Nairobi’s CBD To Double Starting Wednesday

“The Nairobi county’s decision to increase parking fees and other charges will adversely affect consumers seeking transport and parking services within the county government. The action by the Nairobi city county will worsen the current high cost of living,” reads the court papers.

Terming the notice as unreasonable, punitive, untenable, unfair and illegal, Cofek now says Kenyans are not ready for the rushed decision.

“The Kenya economy has shrunk compelling the CBK to cut its projected growth rate for this year. The timing of increasing parking fees is wrong and hurriedly implemented without proper and adequate notice to the public,” says COFEK.

The lawyer argues that Tinega has no mandate to set timelines for the commencement of the city county‘s finance Act 2019 which became law on September 25, 2019.

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“ That it is the responsibility of the Nairobi city county to ensure that motorist pay reasonable and fair parking fees depending on the time they pay their vehicles within the CBD,” says Cofek.

Cofek further avers that there is no reason to hike the prices as motorists face insecurity challenges despite numerous complaints.

In the yesterday notice, Zone II parking will cost Ksh200 and consists of Donholm, Kilimani, Nairobi West, Upper Hill, Yaya Centre, Westlands, Parklands, Gigiri, Allsops, Makadara, Kayole, Bururburu, Umoja and Eastleigh.

Zone III will include all commercial centres that have not been mentioned on zone one and two and the parking will cost Ksh100.

Read Also: Governor Sonko Reclaims 200 Parking Slots From Grabbers

According to the Parking director, motorists who will move to zones with higher charges will have to top up charges.

“Kindly note that you will be required to top up the parking fee payment if migrating to a zone with a higher charge as will be applicable,” read the notice.

Private vehicles on seasonal parking will cost Ksh7,000 for a month, Ksh18,000 for three months, Ksh32,000 for six months and Sh55 for twelve months.

This is an increment as previously, private vehicles were charged Ksh5,000 for one month and Ksh15,000 for three months.

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