Nairobi City Council's move to increase parking fees was received with angry reactions from city residents. So strong were the reactions that the council was taken to court and an injunction to have the status quo remain for a month granted.
The aggrieved parties are representatives of the residents of the city and include matatu owners, their welfare association, commuters, motorists and a host of consumer rights groups.
This reaction is understandable. The council, in its decision, seems to be out of touch with the wananchi.
One of the voices that have come out strongly against the decision to arbitrarily hike parking fees is that of the Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development through Minister Njeru Githae. The ministry says organisation and management of the city affairs must be systematic. It faults the council for the arbitrary decision and the complete lack of consultation with the stakeholders.
City Hall is legally responsible for providing services to Nairobi residents and, by extension, therefore, are supposed to charge fees and rates from the businesses and the individuals in the city to fund their activities. The council in doing this, however, should be ‘civilised’ and clearly justify their move.
There are many stakeholders that have to be brought in and their voice heard if for nothing else to be seen to be objective.
Nairobi and its surrounding produce more than 60 per cent to the national gross domestic product. That is why the Government in its wisdom put the city and its environs on the first lane in terms of achieving the Vision 2030. Under the blueprint, the Government has lined up projects that City Hall should implement together with other stakeholders as opposed to short-term endeavours like meeting a recurrent budget.
The Government is seeking to introduce rapid mass transport system for the city. This will involve introduction of mega buses with designated lanes and introduction of light rail system that crisscross the city. A reliable transport system will mean people do not have to use their vehicles to town and therefore, automatically decongest the central business district.
With buses and light rail in place the government will establish secure parking outside the CBD in five major corridors, namely, Thika Road, Mombasa Road, Jogoo Road, Waiyaki Way and Ngong Road.
The realisation of these goals and objectives will give better services to the residents, businessmen and visitors to Nairobi. If with implementation of these, City Hall asks for higher fees, it will be justifiable and welcome. Therefore, quality services must be put in place to justify hike in rates and fees.
—Edwin Limo, Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development
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