Light project transforms sleepy Lodwar town

Kenya: Traders in Lodwar can now run their businesses 24-hours a day, thanks to an ambitious street lighting project.

Turkana County is spending Sh19 million on the project, which it says has helped stem insecurity.

Maulid Moit, a livestock trader, says the lighting project has revolutionised life in the county.

“It has reduced crime which was rampant in town. You can now sleep outdoors due to the hot weather associated with Lodwar without fear,” says Maulid.

He adds: “Before the street lights were installed, I used to open my butchery at 6am and close at 7pm but now, I close at 11pm. Sometimes I go up to 2am and my business is booming.”

David Ekata, a manager at Kakumatt Supermarket, is pleased with the solar-powered street lights project.

“So far so good, it is enhancing security. People can now walk safely till late without fear of being mugged by idle youths,” says Ekata, who says they used to close their business at 6pm but today they close 9pm.

He, however, says roads should be improved to grow the economy.

“The road to the Turkwel bridge and feeder roads should be tarmacked to ease transport,” he says.

Digital LED Lighting Company won the contract to install the streetlights.

According County Chief Officer in the Ministry of Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Areas, Mr Mark Ewoi, most business now run throughout the night.

“The Sh19million project is bearing fruit. Insecurity has gone down and everyone is happy,” said Ewoi.

He added: “We have done almost 40 per cent of the work and when we get adequate financing, we will complete it.

“During phase two of the project, we will extend to towns outside Lodwar like Lokichar, Kakuma, Kalokol among others.”

In Lodwar, streets that have some of the town’s main institutions such as the Kenya Women Finance Trust, Lodwar County Hospital, Napetet, Prison and Lodwar Lodge are now lit.

Ewoi also said floodlight would be installed at Turkwel Bridge that will link Lodwar town to Kanam Kemer Ward.

He says the work is in progress. Lodwar, Lokichoggio, and Nakodok towns are expected to be Kenya’s next growth frontier due to discoveries in oil and natural gas deposit.

Turkana is a county in the former Rift Valley Province. It is about 700km from Nairobi and is the second largest county in Kenya, covering 71,597.8 square kilometres.

Turkana is accessible from Nairobi via Kitale, a 700km road journey. The 380km road between Nairobi and Kitale is tarmacked while the 320km between Kitale and Lodwar (via Kapenguria) is corrugated. It is bordered by the countries of Uganda to the west; South Sudan and Ethiopia, including the disputed Ilemi Triangle, to the north and northeast; and Lake Turkana to the east.

To the south and east, neighbouring counties are West Pokot, Baringo and Samburu Counties, while Marsabit County is located on the opposite (eastern) towards the shores of Lake Turkana.

The county Governor is Joseph Nanok and Senator is John Munyes.

Turkana County has 855,399 people (male - 52.03 per cent and female - 47.97 per cent), according to the 2009 National Population Census. The Turkana people are the dominant community in the county, although several other tribes such as El Molo have settled in the county over the years.