Nairobi Moves to Fix Security Gaps as Street Lighting Challenges Persist

Last Updated 3 months ago by Kenya Engineer

In a joint effort between the Nairobi County Government and the National Government to address rising security concerns, Governor Johnson Sakaja on 8th September 2025 held a press briefing flanked by senior officials, including representatives from the National Police Service, the County Commissioner’s office, and Kenya Power.

At the heart of the governor’s address was the role of public and street lighting in improving safety across Nairobi. While acknowledging the county’s significant investments in street and public lighting infrastructure, the governor lamented persistent cases of vandalism and power siphoning that have undermined these efforts.

“We have provided street lighting across the city, but much of this has been intentionally sabotaged,” the governor said. “In some cases, our county officers are even accosted when responding to lighting concerns. These are your taxes being vandalized — we urge Nairobians to defend these investments.”

To curb insecurity, the governor announced enhanced collaboration between the Nairobi City County Government and the National Police Service. Residents were encouraged to report vandalism and security incidents through a dedicated toll-free number, 988 SMS, and were urged to work hand-in-hand with county officers to safeguard existing infrastructure.

In a direct appeal to property owners, the governor also called on landlords to install security lights around their premises to supplement county efforts and ensure better-lit neighborhoods.

Engineering Challenges Behind the Security Debate

While the security conversation dominated the briefing, the situation has also shone a spotlight on the engineering and operational challenges facing Nairobi’s public lighting systems.

A closer look reveals that, despite heavy investment as pointed out by the governor, Nairobi’s lighting infrastructure faces three pressing issues:

1. Vandalism and Power Theft – Repeated siphoning of power and tampering with streetlight components increase maintenance costs and disrupt services.

2. Lack of Automation – In many areas, lights are currently turned on throughout, meaning they often remain on during the day. This not only shortens the lifespan of streetlights but also leads to higher energy bills — costs ultimately borne by taxpayers.

3. Maintenance Limitations – During the briefing, the county showcased some of its maintenance trucks and platforms. However, several appeared poorly maintained, highlighting potential resource constraints within the Energy and Lighting Directorate.

These challenges point to the need for technological upgrades and a shift towards smarter street lighting solutions — systems that integrate automated sensors, real-time monitoring, and remote fault detection to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Towards a Smart Nairobi

As Nairobi positions itself as a modern African capital, street lighting will remain a cornerstone of both security and urban mobility. The county’s call for public participation is an important step, but experts argue that sustainable solutions will require investments in smarter technologies and better coordination between stakeholders, including Kenya Power, the National Police Service, and private property owners.

The governor’s commitment to collaboration is encouraging, but ensuring well-lit, safe streets across Nairobi will demand more than policy statements. It calls for a strategic embrace of automation, robust maintenance regimes, and citizen engagement.

In the words of an independent observer: Nairobi’s streetlights are more than just bulbs — they represent security, economic activity, and the promise of a truly smart city. Safeguarding them should be a collective responsibility.

How Smart Lighting Could Transform Nairobi

As Nairobi grapples with rising security concerns and the growing costs of maintaining thousands of streetlights, experts believe smart lighting solutions could be a game-changer for the city.

What is Smart Lighting?

Smart street lighting integrates automation, sensors, and remote monitoring to create more efficient and responsive systems. Instead of relying on manual switching, lights automatically adjust based on ambient light, motion detection, and real-time conditions.

Why It Matters for Nairobi

Enhanced Security – Intelligent systems can detect outages instantly, ensuring dark spots are addressed quickly.

Energy Savings – Automated dimming and switching prevent unnecessary energy use, reducing power bills.

Lower Maintenance Costs – Real-time monitoring alerts engineers when faults occur, minimizing downtime and unnecessary site visits.

Data-Driven Planning – Integrating lighting systems with smart city platforms allows authorities to collect data on usage patterns, helping optimize infrastructure investments.

The Way Forward

Nairobi’s current challenges — from vandalism to rising operational costs — highlight the urgent need to modernize its lighting infrastructure. A shift toward smart, sustainable systems could improve safety, reduce waste, and move the city closer to its vision of becoming a fully connected, tech-driven capital.