Sonko revisits plan to lower parking fees by 30%
Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko has promised to reduce parking and impounding fees charged by the county by 30 per cent.
Speaking during a meeting with matatu stakeholders at City Hall on Tuesday, Governor Sonko said that he would push for amendments to the County Finance Act, which has set both fees, to ensure that the reduction is procedurally and legally.
“I was the first person to fight against the Finance Act when I was the senator for Nairobi and even took the case to the court but it was thrown out,” said Mr Sonko.
“But since I am now the governor and with a majority of MCAs, I will see that the law is amended in the assembly to reduce both the fees by 30 per cent.”
BENEFIT PRIVATE MOTORISTS
Mr Sonko, however, did not say whether the reduction would benefit private motorists or just the public service vehicles.
In more developed cities, public transport operators are given preferential treatment including lower parking fees and dedicated bus lanes while private motorists are “punished” for driving into city centres with hefty congestion fees and high parking rates.
This is aimed at discouraging private vehicles entering the city centre while at the same time making public transport more attractive.
However, it is important to note that public transport in the more developed cities is safer, and more reliable and predictable as opposed to what we have locally.
