Eastleigh’s General Wariungi Street lights up after years in darkness
The prolonged darkness had made the stretch unsafe and unattractive. Street families turned the road reserves into makeshift homes, sleeping along the pavements at night.
A section of General Wariungi Street in Eastleigh, which has been in darkness for many years, has finally been fitted with street lights, bringing relief to residents, businesses and commuters who use the busy road.
The stretch, from the intersection at Yusuf Haji Avenue near Kilimanjaro Food Court to the Equity Bank roundabout, had been plunged into darkness despite heavy traffic from vehicles, pedestrians and businesses.
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The newly installed and repaired lights have transformed the area, which locals say is now unrecognisable at night due to the bright illumination.
Previously, the darkness made the stretch unsafe and unattractive. Street families set up makeshift homes along the pavements, sleeping there at night and spending days nearby. In an attempt to deter illegal dumping and loitering, residents had put up barbed wire and smeared oil.
The return of street lights has been welcomed by business owners and residents, who hope the area will be safer and cleaner. The illumination has made it easier to see across the road and deterred some criminal activity.
A section of General Wariungi Street in Eastleigh. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
General Wariungi Street hosts several commercial buildings and is known for the sale of camel milk and other Somali snacks. It is also a hub for long-distance buses travelling between Nairobi and northern Kenya towns like Garissa and Wajir.
Local traders say the lighting has already improved their work environment.
“The face of this area has now changed. I can clearly see around, unlike before when the darkness could not allow me to see who was coming in my direction,” said Abdikadir Hussein, who works at a coffee shop around Shah Ma’aan.
Camel milk hawker Fardosa Abdullahi said the working lights made her feel safer during late-night sales.
“Finally, I am happy to see a working street light. We suffered in the darkness for a long time. It was making us feel insecure,” said Fardosa Abdullahi, one of the mothers who sells camel milk in the area.
The darkness had allowed muggings and other crimes to occur unnoticed, but residents believe the new lighting will reduce insecurity and improve the street’s overall environment.
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