A computer science student at the University of Nairobi has invented a computer system to map and monitor parking lots.

The software informs motorists about the availability of parking space in the city.

The inventor; Patrick Waweru, said the system uses sensors placed on the streets that detect if a vehicle is parked in a particular area.

"There will be geomagnetic sensors installed underground on the streets and detect earth's magnetic fields. When a vehicle comes, it will disrupt the field and the sensor will detect and send information to our server," he said.

Waweru said the information will be displayed in form of a map that can be searched on a browser, just like Google maps, using a mobile phone or a tablet.

"You simply use your smartphone to search, say Kenyatta Street. It will show you empty parking lots," he said.