Kisumu County government and the national government have partnered through Kenya Power to implement a Sh800 million street lighting project.
The national government has given out Sh200 million with county government allocating Sh600 million for the project.
Governor Jack Ranguma said the project will ensure installation of security lights in Kisumu CBD and five settlements namely Manyatta, Obunga, Nyalenda and Nyawita.
He said the project is part of the request he tabled to President Uhuru Kenyatta when he visited Kisumu in August to help light up the urban informal settlements.
Speaking during the launch of the project on Monday, Ranguma said street lighting is ongoing and will be completed by end of October.
“We are focused to double the economy of Kisumu. Business operators must make good use of this project to grow their businesses,” Ranguma said.
Ranguma said the improved lighting will not only boost security, but also spur our economic growth towards a 24-hour economy.
The governor said Kenya Power will also increase lighting coverage in Ahero town and Kajulu in Kisumu East constituency. Mamboleo and Nyamasaria areas will also benefit from the program.
Ranguma asked the residents to jealously guard the street lighting project by preventing vandalism.
He said his government has also advertised for procurement of firms to install floodlights and streetlights in major markets in the sub counties.
These will be in addition to streetlights connected within the last two years. The county through the support of the French Development Bank under the Kisumu Urban Project (KUP) has installed 23 floodlights across the city.
Ranguma said through the same project, the county will soon install an additional eight floodlights and 700 streetlights in the city.
He added: “Procurement processes for the same are ongoing in consultation with the financing agency.”
“My Government has also benefitted from a grant from the World Bank's KISIP project that will see installation of 41 floodlights within the informal settlements of the City,” Ranguma said.
He said the project is also undergoing procurement and they hope that the contractors will start implementation soon.
Entrepreneurs in Kisumu welcomed the project saying it will boost economic activities in Kisumu and its environs.