The Kwale County Government is rolling out installation of solar-powered street lighting projects along the beachfronts in the tourism hub of Diani municipality.
The streetlights and high mast flood lights being provided by the devolved unit is a relief and a welcome development for the business community, residents and tourists.
Governor Fatuma Achani says the goal is to improve socio-economic activities along the tourist hub circuit besides enhancing safety and security of tourists and reduce incidences of crime.
She emphasized the importance of the new initiative in addressing long standing concerns about poor night-time visibility and safety.
Governor Achani says her administration will ensure that roads engulfed in darkness leading to the beaches were put into good shape and adorned with streetlights to enhance 24-hour economy and unlock the tourism industry potential.
The Governor who was accompanied by her Deputy Chirema Kombo and Tourism Executive Michael Mutua disclosed that the initiative would eventually cover all parts of Kwale bringing light to every corner.
She said street lighting is vital for enhancing urban environments by significantly improving safety and quality of life, encouraging more activity and making streets safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
“By illuminating streets, roads and alleyways, we seek to deter criminal activities which often thrive in darkness,” she said.
She says once the lighting project is completed, it will significantly help in reducing the crime situation along the beachfront properties besides improving safety and aesthetics.
Achani says the devolved government seeks to transform tourist hotspots with solar street lights to help tighten security, improve living standards and boost tourism investments.
“The solar-powered streetlights will not only enhance security but also contribute to the growth of business, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency,” she said, adding that the county government will ensure that all streetlights are up to standards.
She said residents and visitors often voiced concerns about insecurity in tourist hotspots with reports of theft and other crimes occurring in poorly lit areas.
The Governor called for community vigilance urging the residents to safeguard the new public infrastructure against theft and vandalism.
“We urge residents to take full ownership of the public projects with a view to safeguarding it from vandalism and theft by unscrupulous elements within the society,” she said.
She said arrangements would be made to ensure functioning and proper maintenance of the solar street lights and flood masts schemes and change the face of beach access roads.
Inadequate or poor street lighting has proved a major concern for public and tourist safety during night time with the Governor noting that they have taken the initiative to light up Diani resort town with solar street lights as part of the master plan prepared for the comprehensive development of the popular tourist hotspot.
Governor Achani says beautifully illuminated tourist resort towns, public places, and pristine beachfronts will upgrade the coastal counties’ tourism appeal and reputation.
On their part, residents expressed gratitude towards the county government for heeding to their cries.
“For too long, our people have lived in fear due to the dark pathway that encourages criminal activities, the county has taken a bold step towards change,” said Ali Mokaya, a representative of south coast residents.
The solar-powered streetlights project is part of a broader strategy to improve security, infrastructure, promote green energy, and enhance the quality of life for Kwale residents.
Achani at the same time reiterated her administration’s determination to deal with the threat of the ‘beach boys’ menace which has been a nuisance and a security threat to holidaymakers savoring the beautiful sandy beaches and tropical ambiance.
She says beach operators were creating nuisance on the beaches along the coastline denting Kwale’s image as a destination of choice warning the county authorities will not sit pretty as beach boys roam the shoreline harassing and troubling foreign holidaymakers.
Diani Beach is the preferred holiday destination for both domestic and foreign tourists and each year it receives a record number of holidaymakers arriving to savour the beautiful scenery of the pristine beaches.
The resort town of Diani with its clear blue water and white sandy beaches has seen the South Coast town voted the best destination beach in Africa for six years in a row by the World Travel Awards.
By Hussein Abdullahi
