Uhuru to launch street lighting programme in Mombasa
Kenya Power staff install lights at the Makadara Grounds in Mombasa on Thursday evening ahead of the launch of the national street lighting programme by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday evening. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The national street lighting programme will be launched in Mombasa County on Friday evening.
Known as “Powering Freedom,’’ the Coast edition of the Sh1.2 billion project — aimed at encouraging a 24-hour economy — will be officially launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Makadara Grounds in Mombasa’s Central Business District.
The Mombasa lighting programme, dubbed “Mwangaza Mtaani”, will cover the central business district, Old Town, Nyali, Likoni,
Majengo, Bondeni, Mbaraki, Changamwe and Kongowea and would be implemented at a cost of Sh224 million.
The streets of Malindi, Watamu, Timboni and Gede in Kilifi County will also be lighted at a cost of Sh94 while the street lights would be installed in Kunda, Diani and Tiwi in Kwale at Sh62 million.
A similar concept is being implemented in other counties such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyeri, Kiambu and West Pokot.
President Kenyatta, who is currently working from State House Mombasa, said on Wednesday that the programme is intended to propel the targeted major cities towards a 24-hour economy.
“Electricity is a key ingredient in industrialisation and economic growth,’’ the President said through State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu.
