In the long run it is preferable to pay for your parking ticket as opposed to paying a fine imposed on you. It’s only after you have felt the wrath of the “kanjo” askaris and the stress incurred in locating your car that you realize the importance of buying a parking ticket.

The City Council attendants are permitted by law to clamp a car that is in violation of parking regulations. While many would prefer to bribe the “kanjo” askaris, you are required by law to report to the nearest City Council Customer Cash Office, located opposite the main City Hall gates, with your clamping notice and pay a clamping fee of KES 2,000. An attendant will then escort you to remove the clamp from your car.

The worst that can happen is finding your car towed. You are given a minimum of 2 hours before the clamped car is towed away to the closest city council owned car pound. You will then be forced to visit the city council parking complaints section, located at the City Council, ground floor next to the Inoculation center, Room 40 and pay a fine of between KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 plus a fee of KES 3,000, for each day of storage.

Worst still, failure to pay towing fees and other expenses incurred by the council within 60 days may lead to disposal of the vehicle through public auction.

Parking regulations that will get your car clamped and with time towed include:

• Parking in a designated space without payment of fees
• Failing to display the parking ticket on the front windscreen
• Failing to park within the space indicated by lines or any other mark provided by the council
• Double-parking