The County Government of Nairobi has announced free parking for private car owners on Saturdays.
In a Gazette notice, County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning Charles Kerich announced the changes will take effect till June 30, 2024.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 (2) (a) of the Nairobi City County Tax Waivers Administration Act, 2013, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning in concurrence with the Governor, Nairobi City County, waives parking fees for all private motorist in Nairobi on Saturdays until June 30, 2024," read part of the notice.
Earlier on parking was only free from 2 pm every Saturday in Nairobi and free all day on Sunday.
Sakaja's free parking offers were issued days after the county government increased the fees for all motorists to raise funds for development projects. The parking fees were hiked by 50 per cent from Ksh200 to Ksh300 daily.
Hiking parking fees caused an uproar among city residents who complained that the plan was announced at a time when the country was dealing with a high cost of living.
However, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja argued that the plan was in line with the county's Finance Act 2023 enacted to raise an extra Ksh17 billion towards annual revenue.
The move was also to discourage illegal parking in the capital leading to traffic snarlups.
Scrapping parking fees on select days is among the reliefs the county has announced for its citizens.
On Thursday Governor Sakaja waived all land rate penalties for one month to cushion landlords against the high cost of living.
"Governor Johnson Sakaja hereby announces 100 per cent waiver on interest and penalties on land rate arrears effective December 1 to December 31, 2023," read a statement from the county.
