Kisii County headquarters and other major towns will boost their 24-hour economy, thanks to a Sh459 million street lighting programme initiated by the national government through the Kenya Power Company.
The Kenya Power County Business manager Zachary Opapa said the recent arrival of a consignment of 200 lanterns would boost the lighting process where Sh54 million will be spent in Kisii town alone, with smaller towns consuming Sh240 million, while Sh165 million will go to other places.
Addressing the press in his office Wednesday, Opapa said the lighting programme would help increase revenue for the company which has grossly declined due to downsizing of operations by various companies and reduction of production through reduced workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Opapa cited closure of businesses especially hotels and other entities that consume a lot of power as other factors that have led to reduction in profits for the company.
The Business Manager underscored the need to sensitize the public on the benefits of protecting power installations saying vandalism and theft were derailing fast implementation of the lighting programme.
At the same time, he criticized what he called retrogressive politics that hindered the
public from cooperating with the government in offering space for accessibility of power.
The local Kenya Power Maintenance and Operations officer Mutuku Maingi castigated
vandals who use the stolen materials for illegal connectivity hence posing danger to residents.
Maingi appealed to the residents to volunteer vital information to the relevant authorities saying criminal elements did not only sabotage government’s efforts to ensure businesses were productive at all times, but
also compromised on livelihoods on the people.
He said there were company officers on duty every time during the covid-19 pandemic and urged the residents to report on power outages immediately when they occur for rectification.
Meanwhile, Opapa has applauded the county government for cooperating with the company by playing its role in maintaining the laid down infrastructure and paying their electricity bills promptly.
By Clinton Nyamumbo and Jane Naitore
