Nairobi MCAs have extended public participation for Finance Bill 2023 for 30 days.
This means that Governor Johnson Sakaja administration will have to wait much longer to boost the county’s source of revenue for the Financial Year 2023- 24, which is Sh19.99 billion, higher than the previous targets.
County Assembly Finance, Budget and Appropriations chairman Wilfred Odalo who moved the motion, sought to give Nairobi residents more time to familiarise themselves with the Bill and give their opinion.
He argued there are currently two pending bills including the Betting Bill which needs to be debated and passed first, which is linked to the proposed Finance Bill, 2023.
“All these bills must come before a Finance Bill. Even if we say today that we have passed this Finance Bill, the finances will not be realised,” Odalo said.
The motion was supported by majority of the MCAs in order to allow residents more time to scrutinise the Bill.
Supporting the motion, Majority Leader Peter Imwatok said increasing market charges, parking, and some newly introduced charges needs adequate time before the Bill is tabled.
Ngara MCA Chege Maura said residents from his ward have raised many questions regarding the Bill, including some of the new charges that have been introduced in the Bill.
“If mwananchi is not happy with the Bill, why don’t we recall it and reorganise the Bill and then bring it back,” the MCA said.
Opposing the extension was Minority Whip Mark Ronaldo, who said the extension of the engagement time is ill-advised, and that the county will lose its revenue collection target.
The revenue-raising measures are enshrined in the proposed Finance Bill.
The Sakaja administration has proposed in its Finance Bill, 2023, to increase fees and penalties on the city's transport system, including parking zones, drop-off and pick-up points.
It also seeks to increase the fees for renting market stalls, food courts, shops and public places.
Parking fees will increase mainly in Zone I, which includes the CBD, Kijabe Street, Upper Hill Community, Ngara, Highridge, Industrial area, Gigiri, Kilimani, Yaya Centre, Milimani, Hurlingham, Lavington, Karen, Eastleigh, Muthaiga, Gikomba and Nairobi West.
Parking for sedans in this zone would be Sh300 daily, up from Sh200; vans or pickups would pay Sh500, up from Sh200; lorries and minibus weighing as much as five tonnes will increase from Sh1,000 to Sh2,000 and for lorries heavier than tons fees will increase from Sh1,000 to Sh3,000.
Non-PSV buses’ fees will remain at Sh1,000, and fees for trailers will rise from Sh3,000 to Sh3,500. Monthly parking fees for non-digital taxis would start at Sh3,000.
In Zone II areas, daily parking charges for sedans would drop from Sh200 to Sh100, vans/pickups also would pay Sh150, down from Sh200, and non-PSV buses will pay Sh500, down from Sh1,000.
Zone II area includes on-street parking at commercial centres and any county market parking not included in Zone I.
For markets, the Bill proposes traders in the busy City Market and those in large stalls are to pay Sh16,250, up from Sh12,500.
Those training on balconies would pay Sh5,850, up from Sh4,500, office spaces would pay Sh6,500, up from Sh5,000, and shops would pay Sh39,000, up from Sh30,0000.
