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Anger over new parking fees

By BILLY MUIRURI January 17th, 2014 1 min read

City motorists have reacted angrily to a plan by the County Government to increase parking fees outside the City Centre.

Those interviewed expressed disappointment terming the move as the creation of more avenues to fleece them.

“It smacks of exploitation.  I think it will become unsustainable to live in this county,” said the secretary of Muthurwa Market Sacco Society Francis Macharia.

Mr Macharia said the cost of doing business would go up.

“The new charges will discourage customers from visiting key markets. The argument will be that if things are cheap in a certain market, but you pay Sh200 parking fees, then you better shop near where you live. People will do such calculations,” said  Mr Macharia

Buruburu businessman Elisha Obwao said motorists had been leaving their cars in estates to avoid the perennial traffic jams in the city.

“It is just too much if parking outside a shopping mall will be charged,” said Mr Obwao.

Last week, the parking department earmarked 10 areas where parking will be charged at  Sh200.

The new areas are Buruburu and Ziwani shopping centres , Eastleigh, Pangani, Muthaiga, Ngong Road, Kombo Munyiri, Pangani Road, Lang’ata, Kariokor and Kasarani.

The announcement came as the case by 26 matatu saccos on the increased fees in the CBD from Sh140 to Sh300 is yet to be determined.

Ms Annet Kinyanjui, a mother of three from Lang’ata said: “We only hope there will be improved service with the millions they will collect from motorists. We cannot keep getting poor service as levies are increased.”

The new zones are expected to further boost parking fees revenue which have doubled since April last year.

Revenue documents show city motorists now pay Sh130 million a month, up from Sh63 million a month eight months ago.