Bright nights
Rongo town no longer cloaks the streets in darkness at night. The glow of streetlights now covers once-shadowy corners, a beacon of safety that has improved security in this community.
“Thirteen years ago, the darkness made walking at night a risky venture. Now, with the well-lit streets, I feel safer, and it has positively impacted our community,” says Leon Odongo, a resident and businessman in the town.
Thirteen years ago, the town grappled with insecurity, hindering both daily life and economic growth. Devolution has proven to be a catalyst for change, channeling resources where they matter most. According to Michael Otieno, who is a member and worker of the Migori County government, “I joined the County government after the devolved regime, and as I can see, it has improved security and also the movement of people during the night.”
Mr. Otieno, a Sub-County Officer, sheds light on the broader picture, drawing connections between improved security and devolution. “Devolution has empowered local communities to address their unique challenges. In the case of Rongo, the allocation of funds for street lighting projects has played a major role in enhancing security and promoting economic activities.”
According to Tony Odhiambo, the general well-being of people has improved. “If you visit Rongo town at 9:00 pm, business operations go on as normal. Before the installation of the streetlights, security was very poor. People would close their businesses as early as 7:00 pm because of the high rate of insecurity, but now people work till 11:00 pm. The lighting of the town has extended working hours and has also boosted security.”
Officer Jane Kipkoech, a dedicated member of the Rongo Police Force, highlights the tangible difference in crime prevention since the installation of streetlights. “Patrolling the well-lit streets allows us to detect and respond to incidents more effectively. Criminals find it challenging to operate in well-lit areas, leading to a noticeable reduction in crime rates.”
As we stroll through the area at night, I meet a resident, Samuel Omondi, who reminisces about the past before the installation of the lights in the area. Mr. Joseph Owino, a business owner in Rongo town, attests to the positive changes in the economic landscape. “The well-lit streets have extended business hours, attracting more customers to our shops. It’s not just about security; it’s about creating a thriving and vibrant community.”
The own continues to expand, and the impact of street lighting on security is undeniable. Through the lens of devolution, this transformation serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating the tangible benefits of localized decision-making and investment. The once-shadowy past is now illuminated, paving the way for a brighter and safer future for Rongo and its residents.
The planning department takes into consideration the local residents and aims to make life easier and improve security. The Migori County government, in collaboration with the World Bank, worked together and installed streetlights in Rongo and its environs.
There has been an allocation for development projects, which include the bus park, roads, and finally, streetlights. The streetlights should be along the highways. The collaboration is working in phases to ensure a successful installation of streetlights along the highway. As of now, the project has reached Nyarach and Riosiri.
The program is fully funded by the World Bank. The county government works on the assessment of the project and also does a report on the street lighting project. The county government also hopes for a third and fourth phase of the project to broaden the areas that have been lighted.
Maintenance of the streetlights is handled by the county government. The sub-county planning and municipal planning offices work together. First, the detection of malfunctioning lights or solar panels is done, then the municipal planner, and subsequently, the sub-county planner.
The streetlights are solar-powered, making them reliable during a time of blackout, and also, being a renewable source of energy, they are cheap and efficient to use. They have an automatic manual mode where the lights turn on at 6:30 in the evening until 6:30 in the morning.
Research is done, and local residents of Rongo Sub-County are invited for public participation in the county hall in Rongo town to deliberate on issues that should be given prominence and also on projects that will benefit them.
By Anjeri Beldine
