By Okong’o Oduya
The County Government of Busia and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) have signed an agreement to light up more towns across the County.
Under the agreement, the County Government will undertake operation and maintenance of street lights.
“The National Government will only light the County headquarter which is Busia town, the other task lies with Busia county government,” Confirmed KPLC County Business Manager, Samuel Oketch .
According to Oketch On 23rd September last year, former Chief Executive Officer Ben Chumo signed an agreement with Busia Governor H.E. Sospeter Ojaamong to install street lights in Malaba Town and one month thereafter the border town was lightened up.
Signing the deal on behalf of the county government of Busia Chief Officer for Public Works and Energy Moses Weunda and Oketch said this project will help in promoting economic activities besides enhancing security in the county.
On his side chief officer for public works and energy, Moses Weunda said the County Government paid Sh10m for installation of electricity in Malaba and a further Sh2.5million for administration and maintenance, adding that they are taking care of the bills as a County.
“The task of KPLC is to erect infrastructures with billing and maintenance costs to be borne by County Governments,” noted Weunda
Weunda further said the County Government will factor in the 2017/2018 budget funds for the extension of street lights to all markets across the County.
Busia County secretary Nicolas Mulaku said the aim to light up streets in all the seven sub counties is to make the County a 24-hour economy, urging the KPLC to minimize power outages saying constant power blackouts was an impediment to realizing faster economic development in the county and a nation at large.
Mr. Oketch said the problem of power outages was being addressed and it will soon become a thing of the past.
