•Kenya Power’s South Nyanza regional manager Jeremiah Kinda says vandalism should be fought seriously.
Kenya Power has decried vandalism of the street lighting project in Kisii town.
Kenya Power’s South Nyanza regional manager Jeremiah Kinda says vandalism should be fought seriously.
“The main challenge facing us in Kisii is vandalism of network equipment including the lanterns. This should be addressed. This project is aimed at improving security and boost the county in achieving a 24 hour economy,” Kinda said on Monday.
“A total of 568 lanterns will be installed at a cost of Sh58.7 million. We have completed 70 per cent of the project and mostly awaiting installation of lanterns, whose supply has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope to have them in the country in early June,” Kinda added.
Some of the solar lights installed in the county five years ago were also vandalised.
Last week, Kinda accompanied Governor James Ongwae during the launch of Sh40 million integrated street lighting project in Kisii town, during a ceremony attended by county commander Jebel Ngere and Urban Development minister Vincent Sagwe.
Another Sh20 million project is awaiting funding from the national government, said Kinda.
The project, which is implemented by Kenya Power, will also cover the town’s outskirts.
Governor Ongwae said: "The street lights we are launching today will go a long way in enhancing security among the town dwellers and above all, promote our desire to entrench a 24 hour economy in Kisii."
The street lighting programme was originally meant to cover the CBD with 200 units of lanterns on the main streets of Barclays to Kisii hotel, Mashauri – Daraja Mbili, Stadium road and Industrial area, he said.
Out of the need to ensure extensive coverage in the municipality, an additional 300 lanterns are, however, being installed to cover the short streets in the CBD and its environs, added Ongwae.
He urged motorists to drive safely to avoid knocking the poles down.
"I urge them and other road users to ensure that this critical infrastructure is preserved and protected from any form of damage or vandalism to ensure un-interrupted street lighting and perhaps, going forward, we may consider erecting barriers to safe guard the pole from destruction, " he said.