THE MOST FROM THE COAST !

MOMBASA (Xinhua) -- German Development Cooperation (GDC) and Laptrust, the pension scheme for county government workers in Kenya, have launched the One Million Solar Streetlight Project, aimed at installing 1 million solar powered street lights in all the 47 counties. The project which was launched in Mombasa will be carried out in three phases and the initial phase will target eight counties across the East African nation. “The project aims at lighting up our towns, village centers and streets across the country using solar technology,” Laptrust CEO Hosea Kili said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “With proper lighting at nightfall, numerous socioeconomic benefits will be realized including reduced rate of crime and advancements toward a 24-hour economy,” he added. By 2030, over 50,000 street kilometers shall be covered by street lightning. The project will be implemented in partnership with the counties and GIZ the German Organization for Technical Cooperation. Head of German Development Cooperation to Kenya Lars Wilke said the project will also create employment opportunities for youth who will be trained in the maintenance of solar street lights. “The ‘County Solar Street Lighting Project’ is a best practice model to mobilize resources and know-how and promote partnership between private and public sector organizations for sustainable development,” Wilke said. He said the project is geared towards promoting renewable energy and enabling the county governments to enhance security at the community level. Using solar energy to power the project is also expected to ease pressure on the national grid besides boosting the country’s shift to renewable energy, Wilke added. Chairman of the Council of Governors, Isaac Ruto said the Kenyan people will enjoy the benefits of living in a more secure environment and thus do business and invest in the counties without fear. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), between 5 to 6 million Kenyans will use solar lighting in Kenya by end of 2015.