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City street lights gobble up Sh953m


City Hall has used Sh953 million in a street lighting plan, which is facing challenges following continued vandalism.

However, the Nairobi County government says the project would be completed by June next year.

The project has been in progress since last year but vandalism is rampant especially in the upmarket estates of Hurlingham, Kilimani and Woodley.

“We are spending a lot of money replacing equipment,” Governor Evans Kidero said.

Ngong, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Dennis Pritt and Kirichwa are some of the roads worst hit by street light vandalism.

Every street, including roads outside the city centre, are to have lights so as to support to 24-hour economy as contained in the county government’s blueprint.

Governor Kidero said Kenya Power had been given money to implement the plan.

At the moment, 433 streets out of 783 targeted have already been lit.

According to Mr Kidero, 9,454 street lights have already been fixed.

Although the downtown zone of Nairobi was the first to be lit early this year, some areas have remained in the dark. They include Landhies Road, Gikomba and some parts of Haile Selassie Avenue.

A trader near Machakos Bus Station said progress was slow.

“We’ve been seeing Kenya Power workers erecting poles but the lights have not been installed. Criminals have taken advantage of the darkness to rob pedestrians,” he said.

Mr Kidero said the project was ongoing in the areas mentioned and Eastleigh.

“We will install masts in Njiru, Ruai, Kayole and their environs,” he said.

SOURCE: Daily Nation