People in places where the Mwangaza Mitaani project has already been launched have started seeing the fruits and benefits of the project initiated by Kenya Power.
The project that was launched in Mombasa by President Uhuru Kenyatta is aimed at lighting up all the streets of all the towns in Kenya.
Already in Mombasa, business people who used to close their businesses as soon as darkness fell in are now running their businesses far into the night.
Before the Mwangaza Mitaani initiative, people in Mombasa as well as those in nearing towns used to close their businesses early for security reasons. Criminals would hide in the dark corners of the streets and pounce on both the traders as well as their customers as they walked to their homes.
“Siku hizi kazi ni murua kabisa. Mie nauza mahamri hadi usiku wa manane na sina hofu ya kushambuliwa na majambazi kama hapo awali,” (Work is very good nowadays. I sell my donuts way past midnight without fear of being attacked by criminals as it was before) Says Mrs. Fatmah Farah from Mombasa.
The advantages of Mwangaza Mitaani will be greatly felt by everyone as soon as the project is completed in all the towns.
A 24-hour economy will soon be realized as people will be free to sell their goods and buyers will feel safe to buy whatever they like at any time of the day or night.
Revenue collected will also receive a boost as hours of collection will have been extended and this will help the Kenya Revenue Authority to hit its tax revenue collection target.
The Jua Kali sector, which employs more than 80 percent of the people will receive a major upper hand. Many people will venture into business and apart from improving their own lives, they will improve the economy not forgetting all the employment opportunities that will be created.
Article by Juma Fred.