Streetlight vandals cause darkness in town

Streetlight vandals have struck several estates and streets in Nakuru town, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Roads Executive Maina Kairo said the county was losing millions of shillings as vandals cut down steel electric poles for sale as scrap metal.

From Kenyatta Avenue to Kanu Street, most of the poles are gone, some brought down by careless motorists, turning the road dark at night. This in turn has led to increased insecurity. Joseph Karanja, a garage operator on Kenyatta Avenue, said road signs and metal litter bins were routinely sawn down and sold to scrap metal dealers.

“Poles, litter bins and road signs do not last long in this town as scrap metal dealers come for them,” he said.

Along Kanu Street, saw mill operator Samson Odhiambo said many motorists find themselves flying over speed bumps as warning signs have been uprooted by vandals.

“The vandals target knocked down poles and those far away from residential or business areas. They are notorious and known to work in cahoots with security officers on night patrol,” Mr Odhiambo explained, adding that vandals recently targeted a streetlight next to his business premises. He accused the county government of failing to replace the lights.

“How many pedestrians have broken their limbs when their feet miss a step following the theft of manhole covers?” he asked.

Sign posts

Other vandalised amenities include sign posts and metal road barriers. The worst affected areas are the central business district, Lake View, Shabaab, Flamingo and London estates. Residents said the vandalised poles were sold to local metal dealers at Sh70 a kilo. “Unfortunately, cartels within the county have frustrated efforts to dismantle the racket,” said Eunice Kamau, a resident of Lake View.

Along Flamingo Road, several beautiful lanterns of non-functioning streetlights leading to Lake Nakuru National Park have been taken over by bees following months of neglect.