County officials say the fees are authorized under the County Finance Act, while residents and an advocate question the legality, public participation and adequacy of parking spaces.
ASAL POST | NEWS
MARSABIT – Marsabit Municipality has commenced the collection of parking fees in Marsabit Town, sparking protests and a legal dispute over the process used to introduce and implement the charges.
The move has divided opinion, with county officials defending the fees as legally provided for under the County Finance Act, while some residents and advocate John Behailu have challenged the legality and implementation of the charges.
Marsabit County Chief Officer for Lands and Urban Development, Galm Guyo, said the parking charges are provided for in the County Finance Act, which he said underwent public participation before being approved by the County Assembly.
Guyo said the municipality was simply operationalizing provisions that had already been approved and had not introduced a new revenue stream.
According to the Chief Officer, implementation of the charges had previously been delayed due to logistical challenges. He said the municipality had since undertaken public participation and sensitisation with relevant stakeholders before beginning collection.
The county government is also encouraging motorists to make payments electronically through designated county payment systems instead of making cash payments to revenue officers.
Under the current structure, small vehicles and boda bodas are charged Sh50 per day, shuttles Sh100, buses Sh200, while trucks and lorries pay Sh500. The municipality is also working on arrangements for monthly payments.
Guyo warned that corruption would not be tolerated during revenue collection, saying officers found engaging in corrupt practices would face administrative action. He also urged motorists and residents not to participate in corrupt dealings with county officials.
Municipality Defends Charges
Marsabit Town Administrator Boru Golicha said revenue collected from the parking fees would contribute to the development of the municipality and improvement of service delivery.
He said the charges were also intended to bring greater order to Marsabit Town by improving the management of vehicles and available parking spaces.
Golicha urged residents to regard the fees as a contribution towards improving the town rather than as a punitive measure.
Advocate Challenges Legality
However, advocate and Marsabit resident John Behailu has strongly opposed the introduction of the parking fees, arguing that the municipality did not follow the required legislative and administrative procedures.
Behailu questioned whether the municipality had the authority to introduce and collect the charges without the matter going through the County Assembly and undergoing adequate public participation involving motorists and other members of the public.
He also questioned whether sufficient research and consultation had been conducted to determine the amounts imposed on different categories of vehicles.
The advocate further raised concerns over the availability of parking spaces in Marsabit Town, arguing that the existing spaces may not be sufficient to accommodate the growing number of vehicles.
He also questioned the absence of clearly designated parking areas for boda boda operators.
Behailu has called for the immediate suspension of the parking fee collection and warned that legal action could follow if the municipality continues with the charges without what he considers to be the necessary legislative and administrative procedures.
He also criticised the existing revenue collection system and called for a comprehensive digital platform that can automatically generate receipts and strengthen transparency and accountability.
Focus Shifts to Drainage and Waste Management
Meanwhile, Marsabit Municipality has begun clearing solid waste from drainage channels ahead of the expected rains.
Municipality Board Chairman Adan Wario said poor waste disposal by residents was contributing significantly to blocked drainage systems, increasing the risk of flooding on roads and affecting businesses and homes.
Wario said the municipality would intensify public sensitisation through media platforms and a vehicle fitted with a public address system to educate residents on proper waste disposal.
He urged residents to dispose of waste at designated collection points rather than dumping it in drainage channels.
The municipality is also working to improve pedestrian safety by covering open drainage channels that have previously forced pedestrians and motorists to share limited road space.
The competing positions over the parking fees have renewed debate in Marsabit over legislative procedures, public participation, transparency in revenue collection, availability of parking facilities, drainage management and municipal service delivery.
As the municipality seeks to strengthen its revenue base and improve services, residents are now demanding clarity on the legal basis of the charges and how the collected revenue will translate into tangible improvements across Marsabit Town.
