President Uhuru Kenyatta departs on the Madaraka Express from Nairobi to Suswa on October 16, 2019.photograph
After significantly increasing taxes on almost everything to significantly impact the cost of living, President William Ruto's administration now appears set to increase the cost of government-provided services.
Since coming to power in September 2023, the government has already increased petrol tax and also increased remittances to the NSSF and NHIF. The government also introduced new taxes such as housing tax.
Here are the standout services that Kenyans have to pay more to access.
Game park and national reserve visits
In August 2023, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced that tourists entering national parks will have to pay Shs500 to Sh1,500, and the new fee will come into effect from January 2024.
According to the proposed conservation fee, adults/residents of East Africa will now pay Sh2,000 to visit Nairobi National Park, compared to Sh500 previously.
All national parks and game reserves have also increased fees.
For example, an adult national/resident of the East African Community (EAC) will part with Sh1,000 to gain access to Amboseli and Lake Nakuru National Park during the high season from July to March.
Children/students pay 500 shillings.
Access to Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks under the new proposal will cost an EAC adult Sh500 during high season. The same applies to Meru National Park, Kora National Park and Aberdare National Park.
About obtaining and renewing a passport and losing your ID card
If you are getting an ID for the first time, you will need to pay 1,000 yen.
At the same time, if you lose your identity card and get a new one or have it reissued, you will be spending between Sh100 and Sh2,000.
Marriage certificate
To obtain a marriage certificate, you will have to part with Sh100,000, triple the previous cost of Sh30,000.
Additionally, if you choose the Attorney General route and want to have your wedding there, be prepared to spend 10 times more from Sh5,000 to Sh50,000.
university tuition fees
Thousands of students are likely to be unable to afford a university education as the previous automatic government subsidies are scrapped.
Students who do not have access to government scholarships or loans must pay the full amount. Additionally, students must apply for this tuition grant each year, and there is no guarantee that funding will be secured each time they apply.
The level of funding for each student depends on several factors determined by the Higher Education Financing Board (Helb) and the University Fund (UF).
Vulnerable students will receive 82% of their tuition fees as a bursary and 18% as a loan, while students in extreme need will receive 70% of their bursary and supplemented with a 30% hello loan. be exposed.
Students who fall into the moderate category will be given up to 53% government scholarships and up to 40% Helb loans, while less needy students will be given 38% scholarships and 55% loans.
SGR fare
In early November, Kenya Railways announced an increase in rail fares in response to rising fuel costs in the country. Economy class fares on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) are Sh1,000 and first class tickets are Sh3,000, which will increase to Sh1,500 and Sh4,500 respectively from January 2024.
Children under the age of 3 do not have to pay for the train, but children between the ages of 3 and 11 currently pay half price. Meanwhile, passengers flying economy class on the Nairobi-Mombasa flight will pay an additional Sh500, with the price increasing from the previous Sh1,000 to Sh1,500.
Nairobi parking fees
The county government's initiative saw parking fees hiked last week, with saloon car owners having to part with Sh300 and drivers who park vans and pickups within the zone receiving a payout of Sh500 per day instead of Sh200. You will have to pay the fee.
Parking a truck weighing more than 5 tonnes in Zone 1 will incur a fee of Shs 1,000 to Shs 3,000 per day, while parking a trailer will incur a fee of Shs 3,000 to Shs 4,000.
At the same time, Governor Johnson Sakaja introduced a monthly charge of Sh3,000 for non-digital taxis wishing to park in Zone I, ending free parking.
Zone II is commercial center off-street parking and non-automated county market parking. However, free parking is still available on Sundays and public holidays.
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