KABONDO, KENYA: Kabondo Kasipul MP Sylvance Oselle says plans are on course to roll out the second phase of a multi-million shillings project targeting to improve security through lighting and enhanced surveillance in the constituency.
The initiative, whose phase one was complete at a cost of Sh12.5 million, involves building of high light masts in markets and streets with the intention of the making the area a 24-hour economy.
With projects already up and running in Chabera, Kadongo and Ringa, Osele says priority is to target isolated trading centres far away from major towns. The second phase will start in July in Mikai, Kocholla and Ramba.
Osele says traders can now work late into the night without fear of attacks by armed marauding gangs due to enhanced surveillance by local security personnel.
“If trading centers close as early as 7pm then it means there is either insecurity or that the environment is not conducive for trade after such hours. If Kenya is working towards a 24 hour economy, then it must start from the grass roots,” said Osele.
“At the cost of 3.8 million per high mast light, we have erected three flood lights at every market starting with Chabera, Kadongo and Ringa. Plans are underway to ensure that we roll out the lights in more trading centers,” the MP said, adding development partners were welcome on board the project.
According to residents, the lighting project has immensely improved their lives
Peter Nyambuga, who runs a retail Kiosk at Chabera market, said scenes of shops being broken into under the cover of darkness are a thing of the past. “They are usually armed with crude weapons like machetes; they identify a shop, break in and disappear in the darkness. Burglary is now a thing of the past because even the corridors in are well lit,” he says.
Yesterday, Osele said the CDF kitty would finance the project but hand it over to the Homa Bay county government for maintenance. The county government would also draw revenue from advertisements placed on the masts.
“We have grand plans for this constituency,” Osele said, hinting plans were also underway to introduce more pro-youth projects in the wake of massive unemployment. He also warned critics against sabotaging projects through propaganda.
