Mike Sonko Ignores Court Order, Charges Motorists Ksh 400 For Parking

Nairobi motorists are paying the higher parking fees that had been affected by the County Government of Nairobi, despite the High Court suspending the order.

On Friday, 6^th December, motorists driving into the CBD and other areas, probably having a 200 shilling note to pay as parking fee as it was announced on Wednesday 4^th December were in for a shock as they were ordered to pay double the amount (400 shillings).

Nairobi County Director of Parking, Tom Tinega, claimed that they were charging motorists higher parking fees because they had not received any court order barring them from doubling the amount.

The Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) however said that immediately the High Court ordered the suspension of parking fee increment rule on 4^th December, they served the Nairobi City Council with the court order shortly afterward.

READ: Parking Fee In Nairobi’s CBD Doubled To 400 Shillings

The rule, by the County government, was temporarily suspended by the High Court following a suit filed against the county government by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK).

The increment rule that was to be effected by 4^th December according to the County notice was said to have been unreasonable, punitive and discriminatory according to COFEK.

COFEK also felt like the county administration was rushed in its decision to implement the increment of parking fees rule, as they said motorists were given short notice to adjust to the new changes.

In the parking fee notice issued by Director of Parking Services Tom Tinega, there was a one hundred percent increase in the amounts where small car owners would pay 400 shillings while bus drivers would part with 1,000 shillings per day if they parked within the CBD and Kijabe.

Private vehicles would part with 7,000 shillings for one-month parking, 18,000 shillings for three months, 32,000 shillings for six months and 55,000 shillings for 12 months.

The High Court had scheduled the case’s first hearing for January 20^th, 2020.