Kenyans seeking to buy second-hand cars, especially in Nairobi, were warned of a new fraudulent activity targeting unsuspecting buyers.
There were rising complaints that customers can purchase a second-hand car only to realise that it accumulated parking fee fines to the tune of tens of thousands.
This is because Nairobi County Government charges Ksh2,000 fine every time a car owner defaults on parking fees.
Kenyans.co.ke reached out to an official within Nairobi County Government on how buyers can avoid the rising scam.
“The county charges a reasonable fee of Ksh200 for parking but if someone defaults, the fine is tenfold. So it is true the accumulated parking fines can rise to a significant sum,” the official explained.
The official, however, stated that only Kenyans who failed to do their due diligence would inherit a car with parking fines.
Further, the official explained that there were ways in which a buyer can ascertain if the car had outstanding debts.
“Just like how a buyer confirms independently if a car is accident-free, the same should apply to parking fines,” the official advised.
One of the ways to check if the car has outstanding fines is by dialling *647#, an official USSD code provided by the county government.
According to the county official, when trying to pay the parking fee for the car, it will indicate outstanding arrears.
“You can also visit the county offices to check if the car in question has any outstanding debts,” the official added.
While the fines could be hefty, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja devised ways to make parking in Nairobi socially and economically friendly for every resident.
On Thursday, April 20, the governor indicated that the county government would offer free parking near all mosques in the city every Friday starting at 12 pm for two and half hours to facilitate Muslims attending prayers.
Additionally, on Thursday, April 27, the governor stated that he would eliminate weekend parking fees in the city to drive business growth in the capital.
