The County Government of Kisumu is set to install hundreds of street lights across the city later this year in a major effort to enhance security for residents and businesses.
The project, funded under the Kenya Urban Support Program with support from the World Bank, targets o install 1,600 street lights within Kisumu city and surrounding areas.
Kisumu City Manager Michael Abala Wanga said the installation works are expected to begin in August and will significantly improve lighting across the city and its environs.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Lake Region Traders Association, Wanga said the project would also include the solarization of the street lighting system to reduce operational costs and improve efficiency.
He noted that maintaining street lighting through the Kenya Power and Lighting Company had become increasingly expensive, adding that repeated vandalism of power cables had further strained the program.
Wanga, who was accompanied by Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo and other officials, said the security of residents and the business community remained a top priority for the county administration.
He further announced that Millimani Estate would be used as a pilot area for a gated community initiative aimed at improving security within residential neighborhoods.
According to Wanga, the program will later be expanded to other estates within the city.
He observed that several business people and residents had previously been attacked and injured within the Millimani area, underscoring the need for enhanced security measures.
The City Manager also urged residents to embrace community policing initiatives and work closely with security agencies in combating crime.
County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo warned that security firms operating without licenses would face a crackdown, saying such companies had no place in Kisumu.
He added that several newly established police outposts in the county would soon be equipped with vehicles to strengthen security operations.
Leparmorijo further revealed that chiefs and their assistants would be facilitated with additional officers to improve service delivery and law enforcement at the grassroots level.
“Criminals are becoming more sophisticated by the day, and we must equally strengthen our security systems,” he said.
The County Commissioner also confirmed that a suspect linked to the killing of a General Service Unit (GSU) officer had been arrested.
Lake Region Traders Association Vice Chairperson Rafik Dhanji expressed concern over rising insecurity in parts of Kisumu, saying many residents and traders had fallen victim to attacks by criminals.
Dhanji called for increased police patrols and pointed out that some abandoned houses in Millimani Estate had become hideouts for criminals.
He urged security agencies to intensify vehicle patrols across the city and surrounding areas.
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kisumu Chairperson Israel Agina called for closer collaboration among stakeholders in addressing insecurity.
Civil society representatives led by Audi Ogada also urged authorities to ensure that suspects arrested for criminal activities are prosecuted and not released prematurely.
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