The Kenyan High Commission in London owes at least Sh530,929,597 to the city of London for unpaid congestion charges.
The unpaid fees and fines have accumulated over a decade, and now London is considering legal recourse through international courts.
According to the statistics published by TfL which oversees various modes of transportation in London, including the tube, buses, trams, cars, bikes, and river services, Kenya owes the city £3.2 million (Sh530,929,597).
“The majority of embassies in London do pay the charge, but there remains a stubborn minority who refuse to do so, despite our representations through diplomatic channels,” TfL said in a statement.
“We will continue to pursue all unpaid congestion charge fees and related penalty charge notices, and are pushing for the matter to be taken up at the International Court of Justice.”
The congestion charge, launched in 2003, involves a Sh2,400 (£15) daily fee for driving within an area of central London between 7am and 6pm on weekdays, and between noon and 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.
There are discounts and exemptions for various groups of people and vehicles, such as residents, taxis and fully electric cars.
Statistics published by TfL showed the US was leading among the debtors with at least £14.6 million followed by Japan’s embassy, which owes £10.1m, and India’s high commission, owing £8.6m, with Nigeria, China and Russia close behind.
Diplomats have argued that the congestion charge is a tax that they are exempt from paying under the Vienna Convention, but TfL has insisted that the payment is a service charge.
“We and the UK government are clear that the congestion charge is a charge for a service and not a tax. This means that diplomats are not exempt from paying it,” TfL added.
Embassies and High Commissions in London collectively owe the city more than £143.5 million.
