New street lights to curb insecurity in Homa Bay trading centers

Traders operating in different market centers in Homa Bay are set to benefit from a street light project aimed at fighting insecurity.

The project involves establishing solar-powered streetlights at trading centres where traders have been operating in darkness from dusk.

Kwame Otiende Foundation has started the project at Rodi Market in South Kasipul Ward, Kasipul constituency.

The coordinator of the project, Alex Ogoro, said they intend to undertake the project in at least one of the 40 wards in Homa Bay County.

“Through the Foundation, we have started erecting the lights at Rodi Market, and we’re going to proceed to the other wards from next month. The intention is to implement the project in major markets in 40 wards,” Ogoro said.

Speaking when they launched the project on Saturday, Ogoro expressed confidence that the project would create an enabling environment for residents to do business.

More than 80 lights are going to be installed in phase one of the project.

The coordinator said they started the project after residents complained that criminals were taking advantage of the darkness in the area to perpetrate crime.

“Some traders complained that there are suspected criminals who take advantage of the darkness in the trading centres to perpetrate insecurity. We hope to eradicate crime through the solar lighting project,” he said.

Business operators argued that insecurity thwarts their environment for undertaking their activities.

Chairman of bodaboda riders, John Obonyo, said they have people who have been robbed of their properties due to insecurity.

He expressed hope that the project will create a conducive atmosphere for business in the market.

“Operating in darkness has led to losses among the business community in this trading centre. The light will discourage criminals who take advantage of darkness,” Obonyo said.

Trader Anastacia Akinyi said the light will enable them to do business for longer hours in the evening.

“We have been closing our businesses early in the evening due to fear of a misfortune that might occur in the darkness. The light will give us the courage to operate for longer hours at dusk,” Akinyi said.