Nairobi’s street lighting project to be completed in May

27th April, 2015
The initial phase of the Nairobi street lighting project which entails rehabilitation of existing infrastructure will be completed by end of May this year, Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr Ben Chumo, has said.

Speaking at a site visit today, Dr Chumo said the Company has mobilised technical teams to fast-track the rehabilitation of the remaining major city roads including Kiambu Road, Muthaiga to the Northern Bypass, Langata Road to Bomas of Kenya and New Kitisuru Road.

Other roads to be completed under the Shs.953 million Government funded project include Ngong Road, Bogani Road to Hardy Estate and Old Garden Estate Road.

“So far, qe have completed 275 city streets with another 508 streets and roads currently under implementation. We have just completed installing LED lights on the missing link road connecting Westlands and Ngong Road via Milimani and Hurlingham estates stretching 13.5 kilometres, a project we completed in ten days,” he said.

In addition, Kenya Power will change 4,200 street lights at the Government Square section of the CBD from the current high pressure sodium (yellow lights) to LED (light-emitting diodes) to save on energy costs and for better visibility, he added.

The Government Square encompasses all area streets within Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Uhuru Highway and Muindi Mbingu Street including Koinange Street.

Dr. Chumo noted that previously, business transactions and productive activities are restricted to daytime operations due to perceptions and experiences of insecurity associated with poor night-time visibility.

‘‘The government’s goal is to facilitate provision of sustainable, efficient and effective public lighting in all counties, he explained adding that Nairobi City County was selected first as it is the seat of Government and contributes 55% of GDP,” he added.

Dr. Chumo decried increasing cases of vandalism and accidents on the new street light infrastructure saying the Company records an average of four cases per week. To effectively deal with the menace, he said, Kenya Power is seeking support from members of the public in safeguarding equipment that serve them through community policing and by reporting vandalism suspects to the police.

Ends…

For more information, contact:
Kenya Power Corporate Communications Dept.
Tel. 3201622/39or/43
E-mail communications@kenyapower.co.ke