New mobile parking system to stem losses in Nairobi
What you need to know:
- To access the service, motorists will dial *217#, select "Parking" and then enter the vehicle registration number. The system will ask for details such as parking duration, zone and the type of vehicle.
- Payments will be made via M-Pesa, Airtel Money, VISA, Mastercard, Kenswitch, Orange Money and YuCash. Other alternatives include Co-operative Bank and Co-op Kwa Jirani agents.
- “We have been collecting about Sh2.2 million per day in parking fees. We expect this to increase as we seal all loopholes created by the manual system,” Mr Mueke said.
Nairobi motorists will start paying parking fee using their mobile phones from September 1 following the roll-out of an electronic payment system in the capital.
The new platform is expected to cut revenue losses by 30 per cent as the county expects a net earning of Sh5 billion from parking fees this year.
The initiative will run under the Nairobi County ICT Transformation Programme, which aims at improving service delivery and enabling citizen participation in governance.
Piloting for the e-payment system was to start on Monday, August 18, with motorists along Haile Selassie Avenue, but it was suspended under unclear circumstances.
VEHICLE TYPE
To access the service, motorists will dial *217#, select "Parking" and then enter the vehicle registration number. The system will ask for details such as parking duration, zone and the type of vehicle.
On completing the transaction, motorists will receive a text message confirming receipt of payment.
“The system is mandatory for all motorists within the county. It will boost government revenue from parking fee by 30 per cent,” said Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke.
Motorists have an alternative to pay through the county's website, http://epayments.nairobi.go.ke, but one has to open an account and register his or her details online.
Payments will be made via M-Pesa, Airtel Money, VISA, Mastercard, Kenswitch, Orange Money and YuCash. Other alternatives include Co-operative Bank and Co-op Kwa Jirani agents.
“We have been collecting about Sh2.2 million per day in parking fees. We expect this to increase as we seal all loopholes created by the manual system,” Mr Mueke said.
HELP MOTORISTS
County ICT director Benter Ogot said City Hall has registered 2,000 agents, who will be helping motorists adjust to the new system.
“Payments will register immediately to avoid clumping of vehicles,” Ms Ogot said.
Mr Danson Muchemi, CEO of Webtribe, the IT company that developed the system, said that the company had tested it and put in place a back-up system to avoid disruption.
