Ruto Makes Major Announcement on Nairobi Streetlights, Reveals Installation Timeline

President William Ruto has announced an ambitious street-lighting programme targeting 100,000 lighting points across Nairobi, in a move aimed at improving security and making the capital safer for people travelling and working at night.

The programme will involve installing 50,000 new street-lighting points, repairing 20,000 existing lights that are currently not functioning and introducing an additional 10,000 solar-powered smart streetlights.

Speaking about the initiative on Friday, October 30, Ruto said the government was already preparing the equipment, with installation expected to begin before the end of the month.

The President explained that the project would expand Nairobi’s street-lighting network while restoring infrastructure that has remained out of service in different parts of the city.

“We are delivering a safer city through the installation of 50,000 street-lighting points,” Ruto said.

He added that the government intended to incorporate 20,000 faulty lights and introduce 10,000 additional solar-powered smart lighting units as part of the wider expansion.

The new technology will rely on solar panels and rechargeable batteries, reducing dependence on electricity supplied through the conventional power grid.

John Njoroge, the project’s manager and lead engineer, explained that each lighting unit would have two solar panels responsible for charging its battery.

According to Njoroge, a fully charged unit can provide illumination for approximately 12 hours, allowing the lights to remain operational throughout the night.

The government has also incorporated security features into the equipment to address theft and vandalism, which have previously affected public infrastructure projects.

Njoroge revealed that the lighting units would have tracking technology capable of detecting when components such as batteries are removed from their designated positions.

He explained that the system could transmit information showing the movement of stolen equipment, making it easier for authorities to trace missing components.

The initiative is expected to benefit pedestrians, motorists, traders and businesses that operate during evening and night hours, particularly in areas where inadequate lighting has raised security concerns.

Repairing 20,000 faulty streetlights will also form a significant part of the programme, as restoring existing infrastructure could improve illumination without relying entirely on new installations.

However, the government has not yet disclosed the specific Nairobi neighbourhoods that will benefit from the project or the overall financial allocation.

The success of the programme will also depend on proper installation, regular maintenance and timely replacement of damaged equipment to ensure the lighting network remains functional.

If fully implemented, the expansion would mark a major change in Nairobi’s street-lighting infrastructure, with the government seeking to improve visibility and security across the capital.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1D8b5xbakp/

Antoblog feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com