Nairobi City residents are bracing for an additional burden on their finances as City Hall plans to implement a series of new levies and increased charges.

The proposed measures, outlined in the Nairobi City County Finance Bill 2023, aim to generate Sh19.9 billion in own-source revenue for the county government by the end of the financial year on June 30, 2024.

The bill is currently under consideration by the Nairobi County Assembly's Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Parking fees is among the services that will experience a significant increase in the new proposals by the Sakaja administration.

The Governor Johnson Sakaja-led administration intends to introduce automated parking areas, where motorists will be required to pay Sh100 for the first hour and Sh50 for each subsequent hour. Currently, motorists pay Sh200 daily.

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Additionally, parking charges for non-automated areas in Zone I will be raised to Sh300 for saloon cars, up from Sh200. Van or pick-up owners will see their fees increase to Sh500 from the previous Sh200, while lorries weighing over five tonnes will now have to pay Sh3,000, up from Sh1,000.

The bill also outlines changes to various charges and fees across different sectors.

Notable proposals include an increment in license fees for transport Saccos and taxis, increased fees for market access, higher rental charges for stalls in markets, rent increments for county estate tenants, and new charges for services such as waste transportation, disinfection, and inspection fees for various establishments.

Regarding rental charges, the bill proposes a 10 per cent monthly increment for tenants in county estates, affecting both new and old Ngara, Huruma, Buruburu, Kariobangi South, Kariokor, Joseph Kangethe, Jamhuri, Kabete Water Works, and Juja Road estates. For other county estates, including Harambee, Outering Road, New Pumwani, Bahati, Landhies Road, Bondeni, Shauri Moyo, Gorofani, Embakasi, Kariobangi North, Kaloleni, Ngong Road, Mbotela, Makadara, Uhuru, Jerusalem, Maringo, Ofafa Jericho, Lumumba, and Ziwani, the proposed monthly increment is set at 25 per cent.

The Finance boss of Nairobi, Mr Charles Kerich, emphasized that the proposals are still subject to review by the executive and the Budget Committee of the County Assembly.

The committee is scheduled to meet in two weeks to thoroughly examine the draft bill before it is tabled for deliberation in the House.

If the proposed measures are implemented, Nairobi residents will face increased financial burdens across various sectors, prompting concerns about the impact on the cost of living and the ability of individuals and businesses to cope with these additional expenses.

The City Hall's objective is to generate additional revenue for the county government, but the proposed levies may pose challenges for the already strained pockets of the residents.

The final decision on these proposed charges will depend on the outcome of the review process and subsequent deliberations by the County Assembly.