- Initially, the county had proposed to increase rent by 25 per cent but following consultations, City Hall has only increased it by 10 per cent.
- For Parking, Sakaja explained that the new law introduces new parking zones that are well-defined.
It's a win for women as they will not be forced to dig deeper into their pockets to receive family planning services as Governor Johnson Sakaja signed into law the Nairobi Finance Bill 2023.
Image: MAUREEN KINAYNJUI
It's a win for women as they will not be forced to dig deeper into their pockets to receive family planning services.
This comes as Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja signed into law the Finance Bill, 2023 after being passed by the Nairobi Assembly on Thursday.
The Governor said that women in Nairobi were totally against the increase in levies.
"We had initially proposed new charges on Reproductive health but, during the public participation, the public expressed their views and we heard and maintained and reduced some of the charges," Sakaja added.
Some of the Key highlights of the Nairobi City County Finance Act 2023 include Market stalls where the county had initially proposed 30 per cent levies and charges on the market stalls have been revised to 10 per cent.
On Alcoholic drinks and licensing, the Governor said they had proposed to raise charges on alcoholic drinks and licensing was adopted to help control the number of drinking outlets across the city.
He noted that many views were for the increment in order to curb alcoholism and drug abuse.
For the outdoor advertisement and signage, Sakaja said City Hall has increased application fees for outdoor advertising.
Looking at the City inspectorate, the county has retained impounding charges in some areas and reduced in others to drive compliance.
Initially, the county had proposed to increase rent by 25 per cent but following consultations, City Hall has only increased it by 10 per cent.
"For market services, we had proposed to increase charges but following their recommendations, we have retained the old charges," Sakaja said.
Image: MAUREEN KINAYNJUI
For Parking, Sakaja explained that the new law introduces new parking zones that are well-defined.
For areas around mosques in both Zone I and Zone II, motorists will enjoy free parking for two hours (12:30 pm to 2:30 pm) on Fridays only.
Highlighted in the Nairobi City County Finance Bill 2023, motorists in Zone I and II areas will pay Sh100 for the first hour of parking.
Motorists who intend to stay longer will pay Sh50 for the subsequent hours they park in Zone I and Sh100 for Zone II.
Zone I areas include Kijabe Street, Westlands, Upperhill, Community, Ngara, Highridge, Industrial Area, Gigiri, Kilimani, Yaya Centre, Milimani, Hurligham, Lavington, Karen, Eastleigh, Gikomba and Muthaiga.
Areas considered to be part of Zone II are on-street parking at commercial centres and county market parking that is not automated ( not included in Zone 1).
Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) Schools have been paying 10,000 shillings annually which has been reduced to 3,000 shillings with an alternative of 1000 shillings per term.
According to Governor Sakaja, the move will cushion APBET schools as they play a vital role in providing basic education to the children of Nairobi.
Sakaja highlighted that the 17 public participation were successfully conducted across all the subcounties and all stakeholders were considered before the assembly passed the bill.
He also commended the MCAs for putting political differences aside to pass the Finance Bill unopposed.
“This is the highest budget ever we passed this year and it is meant to fund the county to provide services to the residents. It is good to hold us to account in the manifesto we promised during campaigns,” Deputy Governor Muchiri Njoroge said.
City Hall will publish a comprehensive schedule of all fees and charges contained in this Act and previous Finance Acts in one document for ease of reference by Nairobians.