By M, KNA
Laikipia County Government is seeking a long-lasting solution to address the problem of lighting that has seen major streets in urban centres plunged into darkness for weeks.
The intervention comes as residents heap blame on the county administration for ignoring their plights by failing to settle pending power bills on time which has resulted in loss of business and increased cases of mugging by criminals at night.
While admitting that several street lights in Nanyuki Town and other urban centres are not functioning properly, chief officer in charge of infrastructure and urban development Mwangi Gichuki attributed the persistent blackouts to the introduction of smart meters by Kenya Power.
“Introduction of smart meters is coinciding with our plans because when we allocate money in our budget, before paying, we have to do billing and submit to exchequer, it takes time before release of funds,” said Gichuki, a situation he added was not reliable in settling Kenya power bills timely.
Gichuki says his office has strived to make prompt settlement of power bills, and the lengthy process of payment through the exchequer results in power disconnection without prior warning.
He says as temporary intervention, the devolved unit has acquired a bucket truck to assist in repairing some of the street lights that have been vandalized while exploring investing in solar street lighting as a permanent solution to the problem.
“Our long-term solution, we are planning to install solar lights to cut on costs we spend on Kenya power bills, since October last year, we have paid over Sh.20 million and are still experiencing power disconnections,” noted Gichuki.
Several counties including Nairobi City have in the recent past experienced street lighting challenges following the introduction of the smart meters that does not give room for negotiations between parties before power disconnection.
Last year, city county workers dumped a heap of garbage outside Kenya Power offices in Nairobi to protest power disconnection following introduction of the smart power meters.