Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has blamed vandalism for the shortage of dustbins and streetlights in the Central Business District (CBD) and several estates across the city.
Speaking during the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Open Day on Friday, November 29, Sakaja decried the rampant theft of these amenities, noting that some individuals target them for resale in the black market just days after installation.
Citing an example on Ngong Road, the governor highlighted the frequent theft of cables from streetlights.
“You put bins today, tomorrow they are gone. We have installed streetlights across the city, and within a week, they disappear,” he lamented. “For instance, we lit the whole of Ngong Road, from Junction to Karen, and every so often, you find five lights not working. It is not due to unpaid power bills but because someone has stolen the cables and lamps to sell in the black market.”
In response to the challenges, the county administration plans to launch an anti-vandalism campaign aimed at creating awareness among city residents about the negative impact of such acts.
Sakaja also revealed that his administration is preparing to repair major roads in Nairobi during the festive season. The projects are set to commence once the ongoing long rains subside.
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has already floated a Ksh75 million tender for the rehabilitation of Jogoo Road as part of these efforts.
The governor emphasized that the anti-vandalism initiative, alongside the planned road repairs, will improve the city’s infrastructure and enhance service delivery for Nairobi residents.
