- Title: KENYA: Security in one of Kenya's biggest slums is improved by providing lighting
- Date: 5th July 2007
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) KOROGOCHO RESIDENT, RAPHAEL OBONYA, SAYING: "Of course there is the problem of insecurity in Korogocho. But I think having this light here will give people an opportunity to undertake different activities beyond the normal times, beyond six 'o' clock. People will be able to do their petty businesses, people who engage in trade will continue to engage
- Embargoed: 20th July 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Lifestyle
- Reuters ID: LVABI6D6089HETIGQ72N4X1ZJBFU
- Story Text: Venturing outside your home after nightfall in the Korogocho slums of Nairobi, Kenya's capital, used to be a risky affair. Crime levels are high and due to the lack of light, it's also hard to see where you are going.
However things are set to change after a private company partnered with other local donors helped put up a powerful high mast light that will illuminate a wide area of the slum.
Esther Passaris, runs ADOPT-A-LIGHT, the company that has been working with Nairobi's city council for five years to improve street lighting in the city. They have also spearheaded a drive to light up the city's slums, which Passaris sees as a firm step towards reducing poverty.
"The slums have been dark 365 and by lighting them up we are showing them that we know that they live there and we know that they require services," said Passaris.
Nairobi needs 43,000 street lights. Most of the lights were installed decades ago. Many of them have either been damaged in car accidents, or their bulbs and cables have been stolen. So far the city council and ADOPT-A-LIGHT have only managed to put up 6000 normal street lights, and 100 of the high masts.
"Basically like a child, you adopt a child and take responsibility from the time you take possession of the child. So when we have a client on the pole, we take responsibility for the pole, including making sure it functions. But what we found, is most of the poles in Nairobi were beyond repair and that actually meant that we actually had to install poles, the council didn't have any money," Passaris added.
Korogocho is not the first slum to benefit from the project. Other slums like Kibera, one of Africa's largest, has had five public lights in place for several years. The high mast lights are ideal because of the wide area their beams can cover. Korogocho's stands at 30 metres and covers a radius of 150 metres.
"Of course there is the problem of insecurity in Korogocho. But I think having this light here will give people an opportunity to undertake different activities beyond the normal times, beyond six 'o' clock. People will be able to do their petty businesses, people who engage in trade will continue to engage in that kind of endeavour," said Raphael Obonya, one of Korogocho's residents.
But it's not all about work.
"If the light is put up, it will be very important and it will help us because even at night we can go out and play football until we are tired, then we go home," said Abdi Hassan, a Korogocho dwelling boy.
It is estimated that more than 400,000 people live in Korogocho slums.
Research carried out by the Steadman group indicates a marked reduction in crime levels in informal settlements after the lights are installed. In some places, school children gather around the mast to do their homework, while others have made holes in their roofs so that they can use the street light. The researchers also noted that a number of people have relocated from "dark slums" to those with street lights.
Revenue generated from selling advertising space on the mast helps pay its electricity bill. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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