Blog

Nov 05, 2024

Kiambu Solar Street lights Project Commisioned – Kenya News Agency

Kiambu Governor Paul Kimani Wamatangi has commissioned a state-of-the-art integrated solar street lights program along Fort Jesus-Gitambaya-Kwa Kibugi-Walakishi Road to enhance security operations in

Kiambu Governor Paul Kimani Wamatangi has commissioned a state-of-the-art integrated solar street lights program along Fort Jesus-Gitambaya-Kwa Kibugi-Walakishi Road to enhance security operations in the area.

This is part of the `Angaza Kiambu program`, launched earlier this year, which aims to revolutionize the county’s energy infrastructure by transitioning all streetlights to solar power.

The initiative is projected to significantly reduce maintenance costs and eliminate monthly power bills, ultimately saving the county millions of shillings annually

“While we are not completely disconnecting from the Kenya Power grid, we aim to progressively transition to solar energy,” Wamatangi said, while launching the ambitious program.

Powered by solar energy, these street lights offer consistent illumination, making the streets safer and more accessible at night. This improvement enhances the quality of life and security for residents by providing reliable and sustainable lighting solutions

During the launch, the governor appealed to all stakeholders to support the shift to solar energy and noted that government agencies such as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Power, and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) have been installing street lights across the county, leaving the burden of utility bills to the County Government.

He noted that this has left the County Government with exorbitant power bills, occasional disruptions caused by power outages, and disconnections due to unpaid bills.

According to Chief Officer Public Works and Utilities Virginia Kahonge, solar Street Lights have a life span of 20 years as compared to grid connected lights, which last a maximum of 5 years, they are less prone to vandalism and insect swarming, are reliable, efficient and have minimal maintenance cost.

Additionally, Wamatangi launched the construction of an approximately 2 km bitumen-standard road, which will feature 107 integrated solar street lights.

The road will include two loops, one extending from Masaku-Thuita Ocean Friends Church to SGR Small Lagos, and the second from Masaku-Kiambu Road at Maina Chairman Place, both located in the Gitambaya area.

This project is fully funded by the World Bank and the Agence Française de Développement(AFD), and is being implemented by the Kiambu County Government through the State Department of Housing and Urban Development

By John Kariba