By Christopher Omondi.
Floodlights or streetlights support the night economy in terms of security in Kisumu County, especially in Railways ward, which makes a huge part of the Central Business District in Kisumu city.
In the current regime, first term in office, the County government of Kisumu, led by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, made a huge step in installing streetlights not only beside the road but also in residential areas, including Railways ward, to improve security.
In recent times, residents of the Railways ward have raised concerns to the City department over negligence with over 30 stalled, non-functioning floodlights that are yet to be repaired, leaving many areas exposed to darkness.
This has really contributed to the increased cases of insecurity in the area.“ I come from Kamakowa area and I can confirm that from Kamakowa junction through the Kenya Breweries Company road is total darkness at night and I know this because I pass through that route every morning while taking my 14-year-old daughter to school in Manyatta Arabs. I really wonder how those students who come to the same school through the Sunblest company route cope, as it is darker and dogs are always barking all over the place’’, said Khadija Hassan
The situation is evident in other areas within the ward with traders in Kudho, Nyawita and Kasarani have complained of having to close their businesses earlier than the normal time as a result of the darkness in their area, which has been the case for over a year now.
“I am a trader along Segasega which is basically linking Nyawita and Obunga and I can tell you we’ve been in the dark for as long as I can remember. It’s not only in this part of Railways ward as even in Kikomi, where my goods are delivered, it’s normally dark in the morning when am going to pick my goods and this shouldn’t be the case as by 6am the road is always busy with motorists, pupils and people of all sorts’’, said Thomas Okindu.
“The most concerning route of all is the Kudho School to Uzima University which despite being in poor conditions has lacked proper lighting for the longest period with a lot of violent criminal activities reported in the area as many commuters seek to use the route into Railways ward from the Kisumu-Kakamega highway’’, said Vincent Okeyo.
It’s evident from the residents point of view that they are lacking an essential service that if not delivered might let them lagging behind with hinderance from insecurity due the floodlights that are yet to be repaired or installed and thus call on the City management and the County government to act on solutions soon.
