Motorists to pay parking fees via mobile phones

By RAWLINGS OTIENO

Motorists in Nairobi will now be able to remit parking fees through their mobile phones.

This follows the launch of an E-Payment Services agreement between the City Council of Nairobi (CCN) and mobile service providers.

The unveiled electronic mode of payment is meant for motorists parking within the Central Business District to increase the efficiency of services rendered by City Hall.

Once fully operational, the system is expected to significantly reduce corruption cases that have bedeviled the council for many years.

Town Clerk Roba Duba said with the manual system, only 40 per cent of cash collected reached the council and it was high time the electronic system was embraced.

“It is tedious to walk with papers around the streets of Nairobi. The attendant, too, is tempted to divert the cash. We hope this system will drastically reduce corruption,” said Duba.

The pilot project has involved partners like Airtel Money, Orange and the Yu cash mobile subscriber services, leaving out the giant M-Pesa of Safaricom, which the Town Clerk hinted will come on board at a later date.

Speaking during the launch of the e-payment pilot project at City Hall yesterday, Duba said there has been inefficiency and inconvenience in parking as unscrupulous staff play ‘hide-and-seek’ with motorists.

The e-payment will among other things facilitate consumption identification and invoicing, electronic invoicing mail, electronic payment and notification, accounts reconciliation and non-compliance flagging.

The services offered using the system would include query services like house rent, stall rent, land rates, single business permit, staff salaries and staff leave days.

A consultant, Gideon Omodho, explained motorists would key in their vehicle registration number in an application and then make payment.

“You will be able to key in the number plate of your vehicle. The next question then will be how you want to pay. Do you want to pay through a payment retention ID or pay using E-Value,” he explained.

Once a motorist has paid, a receipt is displayed on their phone showing the amount and the vehicle number plate.