A well-lit street with proper functioning street lamps in Machakos County. Residents of Makutano-Kyumbi town in Machakos County are craving for such. (Photo/SoftKenya).
Residents of Makutano-Kyumbi town in Machakos County are fearing for their security following the poor condition of street lamps on different streets in the area. According to their representative Stephen Mwendwa, the situation is a dire security threat.
The County Government of Machakos recently repaired the street lights but according to the resident’s representative Stephen Mwendwa, it did a less-than-through job by leaving some of the lamps unrepaired.
“County revenue was spent here to benefit the residents but most of the lights are not working as of now. I recently saw some repair works going on but I wonder why all areas are not well lit,” said Mwendwa.
According to Mwendwa crime rate has increased in the area attributable to darkness along the streets prompting business owners to close shops early before nightfall for fear of robbery.
Moreover, commercial sex has been on the rise as the illegal business takes advantage of the unlit streets. Mwendwa said that long-distance truck drivers have found comfort in the hands of the illegal business.
“Could this be intentional or even an act of vandalism so that these particular zones remain dark? Something needs to be done,” Mwendwa said.
Kyumbi residents are now calling on the county government of Machakos to move with speed to address the issue by repairing the street lights which appear to have been tampered with by the propagators of crime and prostitution.