Eastleigh

Businesses in Eastleigh's General Wariungi Street suffer amid ongoing darkness

An aerial view of General Waruinge Street at night

By Abdirahman Khalif | Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Residents and business owners along General Wariungi Street have expressed their concerns over the persisting darkness that has enveloped the area.

Residents and business owners along General Wariungi Street have expressed their concerns over the persisting darkness that has enveloped the area. With dozens of hawkers lining the street from 5 pm, the lack of proper lighting has severely impacted their businesses. Abdi Hussien, a confectionery seller, highlighted how the absence of streetlights has deterred potential customers, diminishing his sales prospects.

"The darkness has made my goods almost invisible to potential customers. It's the visibility that used to attract them here," Abdi lamented. Comparing the situation to neighboring Yusuf Hajji Road, where the streetlights are promptly repaired, Abdi emphasized the urgent need for maintenance on General Wariungi Street.

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Moreover, pedestrians, including Hassan Abdi, have raised concerns about the potential security risks posed by the pervasive darkness. Hassan stressed the need for the city authorities to take immediate action, stating, "Thugs might exploit the cover of darkness to attack us. The city council must repair the street lights to ensure our safety."

The street lights along this stretch have remained dysfunctional for more than five months, with repeated attempts to reach the County engineer proving futile.