In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Goal 11 aimed at making cities and human settlements sustainable, inclusive, safe, and resilient, the Nakuru County government in partnership with the State Department for Housing and Urban Development has embarked on a comprehensive late-night mapping exercise to increase street lighting in the city.
This exercise aims to identify areas lacking or inadequately provided with streetlights in the settlements of Nakuru Under the second Phase of the World Bank Funded Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project (KISIP).
The Chief Officer for Housing and Urban Development Architect Kamau Kuria said the strategic deployment of streetlights will not only illuminate the area but also catalyze economic growth by creating safe business spaces for residents.
He spoke today during a press conference at the county offices.
He noted that the trend towards urbanization in the county has been accompanied by increased pressure on the environment and accelerated demand for basic services, infrastructure, jobs, land, and affordable housing.
Additionally, he said due to the high concentration of people, cities are particularly vulnerable to climate change and natural disaster impacts, hence the need to increase street lighting, especially in the informal settlement areas.
Kuria observed that the current economic hardships have inadvertently catapulted Nakuru city into a 24-hour economy and there was a need for the county to support and improve security for all the residents who will earn their income through hard work.
He also said the solar street lights are a game changer in the country because they are a clean and renewable energy source, making them environmentally friendly as they do not emit any harmful pollutants to the atmosphere.
By Veronica Bosibori
